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Feb 22 2009 -- Mar 12 2009 Navy Extends Public Comment Period on EIS/OEIS to March 11 |  In a February 17 press release, the Navy announced its intention to extend the public comment period on its proposal to expand its use of the Northwest Training Range Complex off the Oregon coast, to March 11.
The Navy's unexpected scheduling of a January 30 hearing in Newport — the only such hearing held in Oregon — on its plans to expand the use of sonar, warfare simulations, and firing of missles off the coast of Oregon caught many Oregonians off guard and raised concerns about impacts such actions could have on marine mammals, birds and ocean ecosystems. Originally, the public comment period on the Navy's 1,068 page draft Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas EIS ended on February 11, and that period was extended one week to February 18. But an outcry from citizens and organizations ranging from scientists to agency professionals, conservationists, fishers, and the Oregon Democratic congressional delegation has been successful, and the deadline for comment has been extended to March 11.
Oregon Shores views the extension as welcome news and plans to work with others, including the Natural Resources Defense Council, to make good use of the extension to file comments on the EIS/OEIS. As the Navy does not post comments received on its website, Oregon Shores will post a collection of comments from state and federal agencies, as well as other organizations and individuals on our website, so please check here in the near future for additional resources.
Oregon Shores also urges our members to review the document as well. You can find the EIS/OEIS, and more background information at the Navy's site.
Related Web resources:
February 23: the Navy's page for submitting comments online
February 18: Governor Kulongoski's letter requesting additional public meetings
February 17: Oregon Shores' letter to the Navy requesting extension
February 13: Oregon Democratic Congressional delegation response to Navy Brief
February 6: Oregon Democratic Congressional delegation letter requesting extension
Articles on topic 'Navy Training':
Mar 11 2012 Navy Contemplates Impacts of Offshore War Zone
Mar 12 2009 Navy Extends Comment Period to April 13
Feb 23 2009 Navy Holds Open House for Comments in Tillamook
Feb 22 2009 Navy Extends Public Comment Period on EIS/OEIS to March 11
 Contact: Robin Hartmann, Ocean Program Director, (541) 672-3694, or EMAIL |
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