The U.S. Navy, working in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with a proposed military training airspace extension in northeastern Washington State. The Proposed Action would establish new military training airspace by the FAA adjacent to and west of existing military training airspace and would redistribute where current training flights occur within the overall airspace.
CLICK HERE to download the Draft EA
CLICK HERE to download the project fact sheet
Proposed Action
The Navy is proposing the establishment of new military training airspace by the FAA in northeastern Washington state adjacent to and west of existing military training airspace, to be identified as the Okanogan D Military Operations Area (MOA) and the overlying Mazama Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace (ATCAA). The Okanogan D MOA would have a lower altitude limit (floor) of 11,500 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) and an upper altitude limit (ceiling) of 18,000 feet MSL. The Mazama ATCAA would be directly above the Okanogan D MOA, extending from 18,000 feet up to 25,000 feet MSL. The total area of the airspace extension would be approximately 393 square nautical miles. The proposal does not include an increase in the number of flights, only an extension of the horizontal and vertical area and a minor redistribution of where training flights occur within the overall airspace.
The purpose of the Proposed Action is to enhance training and operational readiness of aircrews by maintaining skills, providing the ability to accommodate future training requirements, and maximizing training opportunities. The proposed airspace extension would help alleviate substantial impacts from the loss of a portion of military training airspace the FAA removed in 2020 to address civilian air traffic safety requirements. This action is needed to further the Navy's implementation of its congressionally mandated roles and responsibilities.