Natural Resources

The Navy trains in the same environments as the wildlife, plants, and animals that rely on the ocean ecosystems of the Gulf of Mexico Range Complex. Taking the necessary precautions to minimize effects of Navy activities on these resources is a Navy priority.

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process provides an opportunity for the Navy to review and assess its operations, ensuring that the benefits of recent scientific and technological advances are applied toward minimizing environmental effects.

The Navy Will Prepare a Detailed EIS/OEIS Using Data from:

U.S. Navy Marine Resource Assessments: Comprehensive reviews of protected species sighting, stranding, and survey data, as well as peer-reviewed literature and National Marine Fisheries Service reports, including stock assessments and recovery plans.

Density Estimates: Estimates of species abundance in a study area based on analysis of shipboard and/or aerial survey data.

Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plans and Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans.

Available Scientific Literature and Study Results (e.g., University and National Marine Fisheries Service Data).

Marine Species Research

The U.S. Navy takes its environmental responsibilities seriously and is a world leader in marine mammal research, providing nearly $10 million annually to universities, research institutions, federal laboratories, private companies, and independent researchers around the world. Seventy percent of all U.S. research on the effects of human-generated sound on marine mammals and 50 percent of such research conducted worldwide is sponsored by the U.S. Navy. Major topics of Navy-supported research include:

Eliminating data gaps regarding marine species distribution and important habitat areas

Developing methods to detect and monitor marine species prior to and during training

Understanding the effects of sound on marine mammals, sea turtles, fish, and birds

Developing tools to model and estimate potential effects of sound

DoD Research and Conservation Programs

Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP). A program that funds innovative environmental technologies for the Department of Defense (DoD).

Environmental Security Technology Certification Program. A program that promotes innovative environmental technologies through demonstration and validation at DoD sites.

DoD Legacy Program. This program provides financial assistance to the DoD efforts to preserve our natural and cultural heritage, assists DoD in protecting and enhancing resources while supporting military readiness.

The Navy’s Ongoing Protective and Conservation Measures

Environmental planning and protection efforts have been a standard component of Navy operations for years. The Navy has developed standard operating procedures to avoid harm and minimize effects to terrestrial and marine species and habitats. These include:

Posting Shipboard Lookouts Navy shipboard lookouts (also referred to as “watchstanders”) are highly qualified and experienced observers of the marine environment. These personnel undergo extensive training and learn their role in environmental protection, laws governing the protection of marine species, and the Navy’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

Avoiding Important Habitats and Marine Protected Areas Sargassum mats (floating seaweed), coral reefs, and Marine Protected Areas are important habitats for marine species. Officers are aware of Marine Protected Areas and coral reefs, and monitor for Sargassum mats, and implement avoidance measures to ensure that none are affected.

Maintaining Standoff Distances for Protecting Marine Species Naval vessels avoid approaching whales head on, and maneuver to keep at least 500 yards away from observed whales.

Monitoring for Marine Species Prior to and Following Training Exercises Prior to training, Navy personnel monitor the ocean area, both visually and acoustically, for marine mammal and sea turtle activity. If the animals are detected, the training activity is altered or suspended to minimize the potential for effects.

Terrestrial Protection and Restoration Protection on military bases and ranges includes: Dune protection and restoration; sea turtle nesting surveys and protection; endangered species surveys and management; and wetlands protection and restoration.

 

Resource Analysis

Defending the U.S. and protecting military personnel requires continuous and realistic training in the air, on land, and at sea. The air and sea space in the Gulf of Mexico Range Complex provide unique conditions and an ideal setting for the Navy to conduct this essential training.

Protection of our environmental and natural resources is an integral part of the Navy training program. The Navy is preparing the Gulf of Mexico Range Complex Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) to assess the potential effects of training on natural, cultural, and socioeconomic resources in and around the Range Complex.

The EIS/OEIS process also provides an opportunity for the Navy to openly review and assess its current and planned operations in a comprehensive manner to ensure that the benefits of operational, scientific, and technological advances are applied toward minimizing effects.

Evaluating Resources

The natural resources in and around the Gulf of Mexico Range Complex are enjoyed by many for their livelihoods, recreation purposes and aesthetics. The waters and coastal areas around the Range Complex are popular for sport fishing, commercial fishing, diving, shipwreck exploration, and other recreational activities (e.g., boating or kayaking). They also serve as critical routes for commercial shipping interests.

Navy operations and commercial and recreational ocean activities have coexisted in the Gulf of Mexico Range Complex for decades. The Navy’s public safety and protective measures, such as, advance notification of scheduled activities, minimize inconveniences to public interests and help ensure the continued safe and cooperative coexistence.

The Navy understands and recognizes the potential for training activities to affect the community and local industries and takes proactive steps to minimize these effects. As part of preparing the EIS/OEIS, the Navy will carefully evaluate potential effects of its current and proposed activities on:

Marine mammals

Sea turtles

Fish

Birds

Corals

Invertebrates

Air quality

Water quality

Wetlands

Cultural resources

Socioeconomics

Other resources as identified

Environmental, Cultural, and Socioeconomic Resources

Numerous regulations govern activities at sea, including Navy training activities, with emphasis on protecting and preserving environmental resources. The Navy strictly adheres to federal regulations, including:

Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). MBTA (1918 as amended) implements various treaties and conventions between the U.S. and Canada, Japan, Mexico, and the former Soviet Union for the protection of migratory birds.

National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). The NHPA (1966), Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (1990), and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (1979)to take into account cultural resources found on military installations and ranges.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA (1969) established national policies and goals for the protection of the environment. Procedural requirements direct all federal agencies to appropriately consider the environmental effects of their decision-making and to prepare detailed environmental statements on any action that may significantly affect the quality of the environment. (See also, NEPA fact sheet). Executive Order 12114 “Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions (1979),” requires Federal agencies, consistent with national security and foreign policy requirements, to analyze the environmental effects that major Federal actions could have on the environment outside the United States.

Clean Air Act (CAA). CAA (1970) established regulations to control air pollution and protect public health and the environment. Subsequent amendments also address acid rain, ground-level ozone pollution, stratospheric ozone depletion, and toxics.

Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). MMPA (1972) established regulations for protection of marine mammals. The Secretary of Commerce has the authority, upon request, to authorize the unintentional taking of marine mammals incidental to activities if the National Marine Fisheries Service determines the takes to have a negligible impact on the species or stock.

Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA). CZMA (1972) provides for the preservation, protection, development, restoration, and enhancement of the nation’s coastal zone resources.

Endangered Species Act (ESA). Established to conserve the nation’s natural heritage by protecting plant and animal species, the ESA (1973) sets out requirements for Federal agencies with regard to potential impacts of actions on endangered or threatened species and their habitat.

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (1976) provides for the conservation and management of U.S. commercial and recreational fishery resources. The Act was reauthorized and amended by the Sustainable Fisheries Act (1996) to include habitat conservation provisions in the form of “Essential Fish Habitat” designation and protection.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Established in 1976, RCRA provides a comprehensive legislative framework for a cradle-to-grave hazardous waste management program.

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) enacted in 1980, provides a process for identifying, investigating, and remediating releases of hazardous substances into the environment from contaminated sites.

Clean Water Act (CWA). CWA (1977) established regulations to control discharges of pollutants into the waters of the U.S., including wetlands. The CWA sets wastewater standards for industry and requires the use of best available technologies to control sources of water pollution to protect human health and the environment.