Chimacum hosts one of three public hearings that the U.S. Navy is conducting in April regarding construction of a second Explosives Handling Wharf at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor along Hood Canal.

The U.S. Navy encourages the public to attend the public hearings (and accompanying open-house sessions) to learn about and provide comments on the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) regarding a second Explosives Handling Wharf.

Bangor is located in Kitsap County, about 40 road miles south of Port Townsend and across Hood Canal from rural Jefferson County. The facility has four separate pier complexes: KB Docks, Delta Pier, Marginal Pier and the Explosives Handling Wharf, which was built about 30 years ago.

The base serves eight Trident ballistic-missile submarines. The covered Explosives Handling Wharf is used to load and unload missiles and torpedoes. A nuclear submarine carries 24 D-5 Trident missiles, each missile with four to six warheads.

The Navy said one covered wharf alone is not able to efficiently support the existing number of submarines at Bangor. It was noted that a Trident base in Georgia has two such covered wharfs.

Project opponents include Glen Milner, a peace activist who recently prevailed in a Freedom of Information Act request of the Navy that went before the U.S. Supreme Court. Milner told the Leader that the second wharf at Bangor has not been adequately justified.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Navy prepared the draft EIS to comprehensively evaluate any potential environmental effects. The proposed action consists of in-water and land-based construction and operations. The new wharf would be near the existing facility.

Paper copies of the draft EIS are available locally at the Jefferson County Library in Port Hadlock and the Port Townsend Public Library.

Three public gatherings are set, with Navy representatives available during the open-house session to answer questions related to the draft EIS.

Open-house sessions are from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and the formal comment period is 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the following locations:

Tuesday, April 19 at North Kitsap High School commons in Poulsbo; Wednesday, April 20 at Chimacum High School Commons area in Chimacum; and Thursday, April 21 at the Seattle Central Library in Seattle.

All written comments must be postmarked or received during the comment period to be considered in the final EIS. Written comments must be postmarked by May 2, 2011 and mailed to:

Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Northwest

ATTN: Ms. Christine Stevenson, EHW2 EIS Project Manager

1101 Tautog Circle

Silverdale, WA 98315-1101

Comments may also be submitted via the website at nbkeis.com/EHW or in person at the public hearings. A stenographer will be available for those wanting to submit an oral comment.

To download a copy of the draft EIS, visit nbkeis.com/EHW.