SILVERDALE – The U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC) has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment to analyze the potential impacts of proposed naval special operations training near Westport and in other locations in western Washington.

Training sites could include the Westport Lighthouse, Westhaven State Park and the beach at Grayland. To visit the project website and download the draft environmental assessment go to https://navfac.navy.mil/NSOEA to and for more information. The Westport Timberland Library also has a copy.

In Pacific County prospective sites include Leadbetter Point, Cape Disappointment and Pacific Pines on the Long Beach Peninsula. Sites are also proposed on Hood Canal and Puget Sound locations.

The Navy says the “purpose of the Proposed Action is to support intermediate and advanced small-unit naval special operations training in increasingly complex, cold-water maritime, and land environments. The training would involve training activities designed to further develop and sustain proficiency in the cold-water maritime and land aspects of naval special operations. The intent of the proposed training is to build trainees’ skills, experience, and confidence by challenging them in a location with dynamic weather and land/cold-water conditions. As part of the rigorous training, trainees would learn skills needed to avoid detection along with the goal of leaving no trace of their presence during or after training activities.”

The Navy’s 30-day public comment period ends Feb. 21. All comments must be postmarked or received by email by Feb. 21, 2018, for consideration in the final EA. Written comments may be submitted via email at nwnepa@navy.mil.