Port staff outline NEPA environmental assessment timeline, wetlands and salmon risk at Bremerton Airport Eastside site

Port of Bremerton staff and consultants briefed commissioners on an environmental assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the proposed Eastside development at Bremerton Airport, outlining completed surveys and a schedule that depends on federal agency reviews.

Teresa, the project lead for the NEPA environmental assessment, told commissioners the team has completed a 30% design package, geotechnical surveys, a wetland delineation and a stormwater analysis tied to the design. "The wetland delineation is final," Teresa said, adding that such delineations generally remain valid for five to 10 years and can be used for subsequent projects in the same area.

The project area includes a proposed parallel taxiway, commercial and general aviation aprons, hangars and a connecting access road. Teresa said a cultural resources survey is nearly finished and that the team will seek concurrence from the State Historic Preservation Office under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

A primary regulatory issue is consultation under the federal Endangered Species Act because stormwater runoff from the site drains into the North Fork Union River. Teresa said National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA, recommended treatment options after staff identified the contaminant 6PPD, which scientific reviews have linked to lethality in coho salmon. "The biological assessment is the big, big hurdle," she said, noting NMFS review timelines vary and could extend beyond internal estimates. The team has been told the review may take about six months but cautioned it could take longer once the document is in NMFS's hands.

Commissioners asked about wetlands and zoning. Teresa and staff said wetlands would not necessarily block development but would require mitigation, and mitigation costs could affect project feasibility. When asked earlier about zoning for the site, staff member Alan said most of the property is zoned "aviation business" with small sections of mixed industrial on the south side; he said rezone would be required only if development proposed moves away from aviation uses and would also implicate FAA review.

Teresa described the schedule goal for a final environmental assessment or a Finding of No Significant Impact as approximately January 2026, but repeated that the date is contingent on agency reviews, particularly NMFS. She also said a public review or meeting on the draft NEPA document is planned prior to finalization.

Other technical points discussed included the project's stormwater controls near the point where runoff enters the North Fork Union River and the project team's plan to incorporate stormwater treatment options recommended by NMFS. Staff noted the wetland mapping and the stormwater analysis will feed later permitting steps; Army Corps of Engineers verification and the state joint aquatic resources permitting application (JARPA) are required before construction, though JARPA is not part of the NEPA document and typically occurs prior to construction.

Commissioners asked whether sewer is available at the site; staff answered there is no sewer infrastructure currently serving the area. The practical option discussed was a local membrane bioreactor (MBR) sewer system built by the port or in partnership with the city or other partners.

The presentation closed with staff reiterating that most engineering work is complete but the environmental schedule remains contingent on federal and state consultations and permitting. "Once it's with National Marine Fisheries Service, it's a little bit out of our hands," Teresa said.

The port did not take any formal vote on the Eastside NEPA update; staff said they will return with future milestones and public review opportunities.