(From jdnews.com) Beaufort – Proposed plans currently being considered by the Navy would eliminate live bombing exercises during air and sea training that takes place off the North Carolina coast. The area being studied is a combination of sea and airspace where Navy and Marine Corps training is conducted. It covers an offshore area from around Camp Lejeune north to Albemarle Sound and extends out into the ocean about 120 nautical miles.
“Essentially the environmental impact is when the bomb hits the water and explodes,” he said.
The EIS looks at the impact of sound exposure on marine mammals and sea turtles as a result of training with explosive ordnance.
With the elimination of live bombing, the Navy sees the environmental impact of its training as greatly reduced.
The Navy’s research and mitigation efforts to protect marine animals and resources were reviewed during a presentation before the public hearing.