Patuxent River Complex
Testing and Training Activities
Environmental Impact Statement

Frequently Asked Questions
Q.1.  What is an EIS?
An Environmental Impact Statement, or EIS, is a detailed public document providing an assessment of the potential effects a major federal action may have on the human, natural, and cultural environment.

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 directs federal agencies to examine the individual and cumulative, or additive, environmental effects of proposed activities on federal land and the U.S. territorial seas. This requirement allows for more informed decision making.
Q.2.  Why did the Navy prepare a new Patuxent River Complex EIS?
The U.S. Navy, specifically Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), prepared an EIS to assess the potential environmental impacts associated with continued research, development, test and evaluation, and training activities within the Patuxent River Complex (PRC) to meet current and projected military readiness requirements.

The Navy has prepared a new EIS because of:
  • Changes to environmental conditions
  • Availability of new scientific data
  • Changes to environmental regulations and/or status of threatened and endangered species
  • Changes to Navy standards for conducting environmental impact analysis
  • Needed adjustments to current testing and training activities to support projected Navy readiness requirements into the foreseeable future.
Q.3.  Where is the study area?
The PRC is based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, located in Southern Maryland approximately 60 miles southeast of Washington, D.C. The study area includes military restricted and surrounding airspace that overlies portions of Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware, as well as land areas and water areas where the Navy conducts testing and training activities. Click here to view the PRC Study Area.
Q.4.  What is the Navy proposing to do? Is the Navy proposing new activities?
The Navy plans to continue conducting military testing and training activities within the PRC to meet current and projected military readiness requirements. This includes testing and training activities analyzed in the 1998 PRC EIS and subsequent Environmental Assessments, as well as adjustments to current testing and training activities to support projected Navy readiness requirements into the foreseeable future.

Potential new activities analyzed in the EIS included use of marine markers in the Patuxent River Seaplane Area during search and rescue training, use of active sonobuoys at sonar dips points in conjunction with helicopter dipping sonar tests, and the testing of directed energy weapons, including high energy laser and high power microwave systems.

Q.5.  Why does the Navy need to test and train within the PRC?
The Patuxent River Complex is the Navy’s principal location for aircraft testing due to its unique combination of airspace, facilities, environment, instruments, and personal with technical expertise. It is also used for essential training.

Research and development of new technologies by the U.S. Department of Defense occurs continually to ensure the U.S. military can counter new and emerging threats. Testing ensures that aircraft, systems, and equipment meet the needs of our Sailors and Marines. Training prepares Sailors and Marines to operate and maintain the systems and equipment they use to conduct their missions. Using the infrastructure and resources that are already in place is the best stewardship of federal funding.

Q.6.  What types of testing and training activities are conducted in the PRC?
All Navy aircraft types are tested in the PRC, including fixed-wing jet and propeller aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aircraft. Testing is conducted for new aircraft, as well as upgrades to aircraft currently operating in the fleet.

Training flights are also conducted in the PRC to keep Navy test pilots proficient in their jobs, military groups use the range for essential training, and the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, located at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, trains new test pilots, aircrew, and engineers to safely perform testing.

To learn more about testing and training, click here.
Q.7.  What resources were analyzed in the Patuxent River Complex EIS?
The Navy conducted a comprehensive analysis of potential impacts on resource areas in the PRC EIS including: airborne noise; air quality; water resources and sediments; biological resources (including aerial, aquatic, and terrestrial species); public health and safety; land use; socioeconomics; cultural resources; and environmental justice.
Q. 8.  How was the analysis conducted?
The Navy used the best science available to conduct analysis for each research area. In some instances, such as with noise, standard modeling was used to predict impacts. The EIS examined the individual and cumulative or additive environmental effects of the current and proposed activities. In addition, the Navy was required to consult with federal and state agencies on their findings.
Q. 9.  Where can a find a summary of the findings?
A summary of the findings for each resource area can be found in the Final EIS Executive Summary, Table ES-1 (Summary of Potential Impacts to Resource Areas).
Q.10.  Was noise analyzed in the EIS?
Yes, a noise study was conducted for the study area, which provided the basis for the analysis in the EIS. Please click here to see the results of the noise study.
Q.11.  How does the Navy protect public health and safety during testing and training activities?
Restricted areas and danger zones are designated to provide protection for the public during testing and training activities.

The Navy further ensures public safety during testing and training activities by:
  • Making sure any watermen or recreational users are clear of impact areas and targets before testing begins
  • Canceling or delaying activities if public or personnel safety is a concern
  • Communicating via radio to local watermen and recreational users of the location, date, and time of range closures
  • Implementing temporary access restrictions to testing and training areas
  • Designating restricted airspace for multiple, high-speed military aircraft
  • Limiting the number of aircraft within restricted airspace
  • Using a Military Radar Unit, named BayWatch, for surveillance when the restricted airspace is being used
  • Conducting thorough environmental and safety reviews for all test systems before tests are conducted on range sites
  • Managing a comprehensive noise management program and posting noise advisories to inform the public of dates and times when noise generating activities are scheduled
Q.12.  Would public access to certain areas be limited?
Yes, access restrictions are sometimes needed for the safety of the public and military personnel. The Navy minimizes restrictions to public access whenever possible. The Navy strives to test and train in a manner that is compatible with non-military activity. The Navy has designated restricted airspace areas and a surface danger zone for the Chesapeake Bay waters to indicate where and when it may not be safe for recreational and commercial activities to take place.
Q.13.  What regulatory agencies were involved or have oversight or approval authority in this process?
The following regulatory agencies were involved, have oversight, or approval authority in the EIS process:
  • National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
  • Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
  • State environmental agencies and state historic preservation offices within the study area (Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware)
Q.14.  Were there opportunities for public participation?
An integral part to the EIS process is public involvement. There were two public comment periods held. There was a 45-day public comment period from February 15 to April 1, 2019 for the scoping period, and there was a 45-day public comment period from April 30, 2021 to June 15, 2021 for the Draft EIS. A series of public meetings were held to coincide with each public comment period. Comments received during the Draft EIS public review and comment period were considered, and the Navy’s responses to those comments are included in the Final EIS. The Final EIS and the Record of Decision are available for public review.
Q.15.  What are the next steps in this process?
The Navy has published a Record of Decision in the Federal Register to inform the public of the Navy’s decision. The Record of Decision includes a discussion of the alternatives considered in the Final EIS and plans for any mitigation measures and monitoring efforts. This concludes the NEPA process. The Navy will continue to implement the full suite of mitigation measures detailed in Table 3.10-1 (Impact Avoidance and Minimization Measures) of the PRC Final EIS to avoid or reduce potential environmental impacts during testing and training activities.
Q. 16.  What was the final decision?
The Navy, after carefully weighing the strategic, operational, and environmental consequences of the Proposed Action, decided to conduct testing and training as identified in Alternative 2, the Navy’s Preferred Alternative, of the Final EIS. Implementation of this alternative would enable the Navy and other U.S. military services to meet their respective missions. This is documented in the Record of Decision.

Under Alternative 2, the Navy would continue testing and training activities within the PRC with increased annual number of flight hours (an increase up to 26,000 compared to 20,100 under current conditions) as well as adjustments to the current aircraft mix, non-explosive munitions numbers, and systems to accommodate projected testing and training requirements identified by Navy subject matter experts for increased global conflict. This alternative is based on the maximum potential annual level of increased operational tempo required to maintain readiness of naval forces for the foreseeable future and during increased global conflicts. Under this alternative, the Navy would be able to meet the highest level of military readiness.
Q.17.  Who decides whether or not to implement the Proposed Action?
The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy is the decision-maker regarding the selection and implementation of an alternative. The decision was based on many factors, including the details of the environmental analyses, breadth of public comment, recommendations from Navy commands, and mission requirements. The final decision, to implement Alternative 2, was documented in a Record of Decision.
Q. 18.  Are there any mitigations measures planned?
No new mitigations are included as part of the Proposed Action. The Navy has been mitigating the impacts from military readiness activities conducted throughout the PRC for more than two decades in accordance with the 1998 PRC EIS as well as Environmental Assessments completed since that time.

Current mitigations implemented by the Navy include a comprehensive noise management program; monitoring for marine species prior to certain activities; other protection measures for migrating waterfowl at Bloodsworth Island Range, peregrine falcons at Hannibal Target, and nesting northern diamond back terrapins at NAS Patuxent River; and conducting a test plan environmental review process.

The Navy will continue to implement the full suite of mitigation measures detailed in Table 3.10-1 (Impact Avoidance and Minimization Measures) of the PRC Final EIS to avoid or reduce potential environmental impacts during testing and training activities.
Q. 19.  Where and how can I get more information?
Project informational materials, as well as the Draft EIS, Final EIS, and Record of Decision, are posted on this website. If you have questions or would like more information, contact the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Sustainability Office, EIS Project Manager at (301) 757-5282.
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