BY PEPPER FISHER

Sequim – The Department of Energy, which operates the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Sequim Bay, has some big plans for advancing science in our local waters over the next 20 years.

Research activities in Sequim Bay and the Strait of Juan de Fuca will include autonomous vehicle use (as in; underwater drones), operation of sound, electromagnetic field, and light emitting devices, and even the installation and operation of a tidal turbine device.

On Tuesday, the DOE sent out a news release announcing that they will hold public meetings regarding the draft Environmental Assessment to determine the effects that DOE’s proposed aquatic research may have on the human environment over the next 20 years and beyond.

The first meeting will be a virtual one, held this Wednesday, October 16, from 6:30pm to 8:00pm on Zoom (here).

That will be followed by two in-person public meetings on October 23 at the John Wayne Marina Hendricks Public Meeting room. The first meeting is scheduled from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, and the second is scheduled from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.

A 30-minute informational session will start each of the two meetings, followed by a short presentation on the scope of the Environmental Assessment, and an open comment period.

The comment period for the draft EA will run from October 1 through October 31. Interested members of the public are encouraged to review the draft document in advance (here).

During the comment period, questions and comments regarding the draft EA may be directed to Tom McDermott, the NEPA Document Manager, at (509) 713-5681, emailed to: PNSOManager@Science.doe.gov, or physically mailed to P.O. Box 350 K9-42 Richland, WA 99352.

The draft EA, posted on October 1st, is currently available for public review at the following URL: PNSO Environmental Assessments (… | U.S. DOE Office of Science (SC) (osti.gov)

Zoom here on Wednesday https://pnnl.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIscOCprz0jE4Xfgk4XJ4jQHsrH5cAPWDY

(PNNL photo of tidal turbine device deployed in Sequim Bay)