Navy wants to expand training area in Gulf of Alaska

The Navy is seeking to expand its training area in the Gulf of Alaska, according to a notice released today.

In December 2020, the Navy released a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/ Overseas Environmental Impact Statement that evaluated the potential environmental effects of military training activities conducted in the Gulf of Alaska study area.

Since the release of the document, the Navy has recognized the size and shape of the Temporary Maritime Activities Area in the Gulf of Alaska doesn’t provide sufficient space for maneuvering vessels and aircraft during training, according to the notice.

The proposed study area would extend to include air and sea space to the west and south of the TMAA, approximately 185,806 square nautical miles, according to the notice. The current study area is approximately 42,146 square nautical miles.

“No new or increased training activities are proposed as part of the revised proposed action, only an expansion of the overall training area for vessel and aircraft maneuvering purposes,” the notice states.

To protect wildlife, the use of explosives up to 10,000 feet in altitude would be restricted in a newly proposed mitigation area in the TMAA, the notice states.

The supplement to the Draft Supplement EIS/OEIS will be released in March for public comment, according to the notice.