Navy Finds No Significant Environmental Impact for Homeporting Constellation-Class Frigates in Everett

Artist rendering of Next Gen Constellation-class frigates coming to Everett.

Further progress towards the Navy’s Constellation-Class Frigates coming to Everett. As we reported in June, 2021, Everett was designated as the Navy’s future homeport for up to 12 next generation of guided missile frigates (Constellation-class).

In February, 2024, the Navy held public meetings in Everett as part of the Environmental Assessment. That assessment is now complete, as announced in the press release below.

The first ship wouldn’t arrive until 2028, but personnel and facilities would arrive in 2026.

Navy Releases Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for Homeporting of Constellation-Class Frigates at Naval Station Everett, Washington

The U.S. Department of the Navy announces the availability of the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Final Environmental Assessment (EA) proposing to provide facilities and functions to homeport Constellation-class frigates at Naval Station Everett, Washington.

The purpose of the Proposed Action is to provide the Pacific Fleet with the next generation of multimission small surface combatants with the ability to operate independently or as part of a strike group.

The Final EA analyzes the impacts of homeporting up to 12 Constellation-class frigates; constructing training and support facilities for ships, commands, and crews; and stationing approximately 2,900 military personnel, plus their family members. The Navy will phase in homeported ships over a 10-year time period, with personnel arriving and facilities established beginning no earlier than fiscal year 2026 and arrival of the first Constellation-class frigate no earlier than fiscal year 2028. Homeporting of ships and personnel will occur incrementally as existing homeported ships and personnel depart Naval Station Everett. The two Coast Guard vessels and associated personnel are expected to maintain a consistent presence at NAVSTA
Everett for the foreseeable future.

The Draft EA was made available for public review and comment from February 9 through March 11, 2024. During the review period, the Navy hosted public meetings in Everett, Washington on February 27 and 28, 2024. All comments received were considered in preparing the Final EA.

Based on the analysis presented in the Final EA, which has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and Navy policies and procedures (32 Code of Federal Regulations Part 775), and the public review of the Draft EA, the Navy finds that the Proposed Action through implementation of either Alternative 1 or 2 will not significantly impact the quality of the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement will not be prepared, and a FONSI has been issued.

The Final EA and FONSI are available at: https://www.nepa.navy.mil/FFGEverett and at local libraries (Everett Public Library, 2702 Hoyt Ave., Everett, WA 98201 and Everett Public Library-Evergreen Branch, 9512 Evergreen Way, Everett, WA 98204). An electronic copy may be obtained by written request to: FFG EA Project Manager, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Atlantic, Attn: Code EV21JB, 6506 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, Virginia 23508.