KINGS BAY BASE, Ga. — The Navy has found no significant impact in its environmental assessment of stationing the nuclear Columbia Class Submarines at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, military officials said.
The report determined will not significantly impact the quality of the human or natural environment and found to be "negligible or nonexistent."
The Navy plans to support stationing nuclear Columbia Class submarines as replacements for the retiring Ohio Class submarines currently at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.
The Navy will construct eight facilities, modify five facilities, and demolish three facilities across three locations on the base. Facility changes and development would take place over five years and completed around the same time when the first Columbia Class submarines arrive in 2028. The development does not modify any existing dry-docks or conduct any in-water activity.
The total number of submarines at NSB Kings Bay during this time will not exceed the number of Ohio Class SSBNs (nuclear ballistic missile submarines) currently stationed at the base.
Personnel associated with the facilities and functions of the submarine's arrival are also not anticipated to
increase, though there will be an increase in temporary workers during the demolition, modification, and construction of 16 facilities and various functions scheduled for completion in 2028, according to the Navy.
Submarine movement, as well as training and testing activities, will be evaluated separately in the upcoming Phase IV Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement, the release said.