Navy Makes Decision Virginia Capes Range Complex
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS090611-18
Release Date: 6/11/2009 9:05:00 PM
From Navy Office of Information
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The assistant secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) for installations and environment (I&E) signed the record of decision (ROD) for the Virginia Capes (VACAPES) Range Complex Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) June 11.
BJ Penn, assistant secretary of the Navy for I&E, signed the record, which evaluated potential environmental effects associated with training and research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) activities.
The VACAPES Range Complex is one of several range complexes on the East Coast.
The signing of the ROD marks the Navy's completion of the VACAPES EIS/OEIS process. The VACAPES Range Complex EIS/OEIS provides the results of environmental analysis associated with Navy Atlantic Fleet training, RDT&E activities and associated range capability enhancements, including infrastructure improvements within the existing VACAPES Range Complex.
The EIS/OEIS evaluated the potential environmental impacts of three alternatives. The ROD reflects the Navy's decision to implement alternative two, which will increase operational training, expand warfare missions, accommodate force structure changes (including training resulting from the introduction of new platforms) and implement enhancements.
Alternative two also includes the designation of a mine warfare training area in the lower Chesapeake Bay and along the Virginia coast for enhanced mine countermeasures and neutralization training.
The Navy will also reduce the number of at-sea bombing exercise (BOMBEX) training events that involve dropping explosive (live) ordnance. Live BOMBEX events will be reduced to five events per year, with each event utilizing four explosive bombs.
The VACAPES Range Complex EIS/OEIS are part of a $100 million environmental compliance effort that began in 2004 to ensure the Navy has the training ranges it needs to provide combat-capable forces the tools to readily deploy worldwide in America's defense and that the valuable natural resources on these ranges are afforded protection.
The Navy must train its deploying forces in the most realistic manner possible. This ROD will allow the Navy to continue giving Sailors the skills they need to be effective in combat.
The ROD, as well as the EIS/OEIS and supporting documents, are available to the public online at www.vacapesrangecomplexeis.com/.
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