NOV05-03: NSWC Panama City Delivers Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement
By Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division Public Affairs

PANAMA CITY, Fla - Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) released a 2009 Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) in September for public review and comments.

NSWC PCD released the EIS as mandated by law but also to identify new and increased Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) operations in the specified testing area within the Gulf of Mexico. Specifically, NSWC PCD seeks to increase air, surface, subsurface, sonar, laser and electromagnetic operations in order to effectively build and sustain the Navy's fleet.

"The proposed action allows NSWC PCD to support the Navy to meet its mission to deploy worldwide naval forces equipped and trained to meet existing and emergent threats and to enhance its ability to operate jointly with other components of the armed forces," said Capt. Thomas Brovarone NSWC PCD commander.

Furthermore, the EIS/OEIS analyzed the potential environmental effects associated with littoral and expeditionary maneuver warfare activities for the NSWC PCD Study Area, which includes the Panama City Operating Area (W-151), Pensacola Operating Area (W-155), W-470 and St. Andrew Bay.

"Being a good steward of the environment, both in Bay County, Fla., and beyond, is both a key environmental program goal, and a serious commitment at NSWC PCD," said Carmen Ferrer, environmental manager for NSWC PCD. "NSWC PCD's activities involve a variety of naval assets including vessels, aircraft, and underwater systems which support eight primary RDT&E capabilities. These include air, surface and subsurface operations, sonar, laser, electromagnetic, live ordnance and projectile firing operations."

NSWC PCD's activities occur either on or over the waters present within the NSWC PCD Study Area.

"The Gulf of Mexico provides a surrogate environment for most of the littoral areas of the world in which the Navy will find itself operating for the foreseeable future. Specifically, the test area is ideally suited for year-round testing, with a wide coastal shelf, optimal water temperatures, sandy bottoms, good underwater visibility, and sea states typically less than three feet," said Dr. Delbert "Ace" Summey, NSWC PCD technical director.

To access the 2009 NSWC PCD EIS/OEIS, go to: http://www.navsea.navy.mil/nswc/panamacity/docs/NSWC%20PCD%20Final%20EIS%20Main.pdf

NSWC PCD is an echelon 4 command within the Naval Sea Systems (NAVSEA) Command and is the leader in littoral warfare and coastal defense.

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