Why is the Navy conducting an Environmental Impact Statement?
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 requires federal agencies to examine the individual and cumulative, or additive, environmental impacts of their activities. An EIS is a detailed public document that assesses the potential impacts a federal action may have on the human, natural, or cultural environment. An OEIS is also required under Executive Order 12114, Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions, enacted 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. Since the GOMEX Range Complex is both inside and outside US territorial waters, the Navy will address the requirements of NEPA and EO 12114 in a single document.
