Get Involved
The U.S. Navy has been training in the Navy Cherry Point (Navy CP) Range Complex for
national defense purposes for over 60 years. To support continued training in the Navy
CP Range Complex, the Navy is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) for current and future training and testing
operational activities in the Range Complex.
Why is the Navy conducting an Environmental Impact Statement?
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 requires Federal agencies examine
the individual and cumulative, or additive, environmental impacts of their activities.
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a detailed public document that provides
an assessment of the potential impacts a Federal action might have on the human,
natural, or cultural environment. An Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (OEIS)
is also required under Executive Order 12114, Environmental Effects Abroad of Major
Federal Actions, decreed by President Carter in 1979. This order requires Federal
agencies to consider the impacts of actions that may affect the environment outside
U.S. territorial waters.
The Navy’s land and sea ranges provide U.S. Service members with the space and equipment
needed to conduct realistic, at-sea training and testing, which is essential for the safety and
readiness of military personnel and the success of the military mission.
The Navy is preparing the Navy CP Range Complex EIS/OEIS to assess the potential effects
of their ongoing and anticipated operations on the environment. The Navy CP Range Complex
EIS/OEIS also allows the Navy the opportunity to review its procedures and ensure that
the benefits of recent scientific and technological advances are applied toward minimizing
environmental effects.
How can the community be involved in the development of this document?
The NEPA process emphasizes the importance of community involvement during the development of
an EIS/OEIS. The diagram on the front page illustrates the steps of the NEPA process, with the
highlighted box indicating the current step in the process that provides opportunities for the
public and interested stakeholders to provide input.
The Navy held two scoping meetings in 2007 to inform the public of the proposed action and to
solicit public comment. At each scoping meeting, informational poster stations and Navy project
team representatives were available to provide the public with an opportunity to learn more
about the NEPA process, the proposed action, and the Navy’s environmental stewardship programs
and protective conservation measures. The Navy carefully considered each of the comments and
addressed them in the draft EIS/OEIS document.
The U.S. Navy held public hearings and a public comment period (September12, 2008 – October 27,
2008) for the Navy Cherry Point Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS). This document assesses the potential environmental consequences
associated with Navy Atlantic Fleet training and research, development, testing, and evaluation
(RDT&E) activities, and associated range capabilities enhancements (including infrastructure
enhancements) in the Navy Cherry Point Range Complex.
The third opportunity for public comment is a 30-day review and comment period following
issuance of the final EIS, which has addressed all comments received on the draft EIS.
When and where were the scoping meetings held?
To encourage public input, the Navy held public hearings for the Navy Cherry Point Range
Complex EIS/OEIS at two locations in North Carolina. The dates for the Draft Navy Cherry
Point EIS/OEIS public hearings were as follows:
Beaufort, NC
North Carolina Maritime Museum
315 Front Street
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
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Wilmington, NC
Best Western Coastline Inn & Convention Center
503 Nutt Street
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
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Each hearing began with an open house poster session from 5-7 p.m. This provided the public
an opportunity to meet with Navy subject matter experts and learn more about the DEIS/OEIS.
A formal presentation and public comment period were held from 7-9 p.m. The Navy welcomed
the public's comments during this time.
Are project documents available at publicly accessible locations?
In addition to holding public hearings, the Navy has established a user-friendly Web site that makes it easy to find out what
environmental documents are being developed and how to comment on them. The Web site also provides background
information on environmental topics evaluated in these documents for those who want to learn more. The Draft EIS/OEIS will be available for public review at the following information repositories:
Hatteras Library
57690 NC Highway 12
Hatteras, NC 27943
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New Hanover County Library
201 Chestnut Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
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Webb Memorial Library Center
812 Evans Street
Morehead City, NC 28557
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Onslow County Library
58 Doris Avenue East
Jacksonville, NC 28540
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Havelock-Craven County Public Library
301 Cunningham Blvd
Havelock, NC 28532
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Kill Devil Hills Branch Library
400 S. Mustian Street
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
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Manteo Branch Library
700 North Highway 64/264
Manteo, NC 27954
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The comment period ended on October 27, 2008. The third opportunity for public comment is a 30-day
review and comment period following issuance of the final EIS, which has addressed all comments
received on the draft EIS.