Environmental Impact Statement
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Navy’s Transition from FA-18E/F Squadrons
to F-35C Squadrons
What is the Navy Proposing?
The proposed action is the transition of seven
existing FA-18E/F squadrons at the Navy’s
master jet bases (Naval Air Station [NAS]
Lemoore, California or NAS Oceana, Virginia) to
F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadrons
by home basing 70 new F-35C aircraft (10
aircraft per squadron) over an approximate
10-year period. The Navy is preparing an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to evaluate the Proposed Action.
Home basing F-35C aircraft at NAS Lemoore or NAS Oceana would require facility and infrastructure construction and upgrades to help support the transition. Construction activities may include demolition, renovations, new construction, and other facility or utility upgrades.
The EIS will assess both the quantity of training operations at NAS Lemoore and NAS Oceana and their local operating areas, and the potential environmental effects of changes in personnel associated with the Proposed Action.
When Would the Proposed Action Take Place?
The Proposed Action would begin with the start of facility construction required to support squadron transition and aircraft home basing. Implementation would begin no earlier than 2028 and is anticipated to be completed by 2039.
What Alternatives May Be Considered in the EIS?
Preliminarily, two action alternatives have been identified as follows:
● Alternative 1 – Transition Seven FA-18E/F Squadrons to F-35C Squadrons at NAS Lemoore
● Alternative 2 – Transition Seven FA-18E/F Squadrons to F-35C Squadrons at NAS Oceana
December 2025
www.nepa.navy.mil/F35C
SCOPING
Scoping is one of the first
steps in the EIS process,
and public input during this
period is important.
Alternatives are currently
being identified for further
study. No decisions about
the Proposed Action have
been made, and the impact
analysis has not yet begun.
During the scoping period
the public can submit
comments about
alternatives and effects of
the Proposed Action,
relevant information,
studies, or analyses in the
following ways:
• Submit comments
electronically via the
project website:
www.nepa.navy.mil/F35C
• Mail written comments to:
Naval Facilities
Engineering Systems
Command Atlantic
Attn: Code EV21JB
6506 Hampton Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23508 -1212
Comments must be sent
by 11:59 p.m. January 4,
2026 if sent electronically,
or postmarked January 4,
2026 if mailed.
What Types of Actions Require an EIS?
NEPA requires federal agencies planning to undertake a major federal action that would significantly affect the quality of the human environment to document and analyze the reasonably foreseeable effects of the agency’s action and to consider a reasonable range of alternatives to that action. The agency satisfies this requirement by preparing an EIS. This process ensures agencies consider the environmental consequences of their actions in their decision making, along with economic and technical considerations, and promotes transparency and public participation by affording opportunities for public participation and comment.
What is the NEPA Process for an EIS?
The Navy's process for preparing an EIS includes:
● Publication of a notice of intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS. The NOI provides an overview of the proposed project and the scope of the EIS.
● Scoping period to allow the public and government
agencies to review the Proposed Action and provide input to help determine what the EIS will address.
● Preparation of a Draft EIS (DEIS).
● Public and government agency review of the DEIS (typically 45 days). The DEIS is made available to the public,
government agencies, and other stakeholders for review and comment. Public meetings may be held during the review
period to record comments from interested parties.
● Preparation of a Final EIS (FEIS) incorporating and
responding to substantive comments on the DEIS.
● Record of Decision (ROD). The agency issues a ROD
summarizing the final decision and selected measures for mitigation (if any) of adverse environmental effects of the chosen alternative.
Two Year NEPA Process Timeline Navy F-35C Squadron Transition EIS Dec 5, 2025
Notice of
Intent
Dec 5, 2025 –
Jan 4, 2026
Public Scoping
Period
Aug 2027
Final EIS
Available
Fall 2027
Record of
Decision
Nov/Dec
2026 Draft
EIS Release
and Public
Comment
Period
www.nepa.navy.mil/F35C