October 19, 2026
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR
U.S. COAST GUARD TRAINING CENTER CAPE MAY,
CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 United States Code [U.S.C.] 4321 et seq.), and U.S. Coast Guard Environmental Planning Policy, Commandant Instruction (COMDTINST) 5090.1 (series). Consistent with Executive Order (EO) 14154, Unleashing American Energy, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has rescinded the NEPA regulations, effective April 11, 2025, and is working with Federal agencies to revise or establish their own NEPA implementing procedures. Per CEQ Guidance, while Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revisions are ongoing, agencies should continue to follow their existing practices and procedures implementing NEPA. As such, the Draft EA has been prepared in accordance with DHS Directive 023-01, Rev 01 and Instruction 023-001-01, Rev 01, Implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (2017), and U.S. Coast Guard Environmental Planning Implementing Procedures (USCG 2025).
The Proposed Action involves the modernization and enhancement of USCG Training Center (TRACEN) Cape May, NJ. Specifically, it includes construction of a new Fire Station, a Multi-Use Training Facility (MUTF), and implementation of other installation enhancement projects at TRACEN Cape May. A detailed description of the Proposed Action and its full purpose of and need is available in the Draft EA.
FLOODPLAINS/WETLANDS: Executive Order (EO) 11988, Floodplain Management, requires federal agencies to avoid, to the extent practicable, actions that would adversely modify areas subject to a 1% or greater chance of flooding in any given year (also known as the 100-year flood). A small area of the proposed Fire Station project site included in the proposed modernization and enhancement of TRACEN Cape May, in Cape May, New Jersey, is located within a 100-year floodplain. Therefore, the USCG evaluated the potential impacts to these areas in the Draft EA and this Notice of Availability also serves as an early public notice as required by EO 11988.
The Proposed Action would also disturb wetland areas as part of the project footprint and per EO 11990, Protection of Wetlands, the USCG evaluated the potential effects to these areas in the Draft EA. However, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers determined that these wetlands are non-jurisdictional and therefore, are not Waters of the United States subject to regulation under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
ADDRESSES: The Draft EA is available for in-person public review at the Cape May City Public Library, 720 Franklin Street, Cape May, NJ 08204. The Draft EA is available for public review electronically at https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/nepa.
Written comments on the Draft EA must be received no later than Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at 5:00 PM EDT, and should be submitted by email to [email protected], or by U.S. Mail to Commanding Officer, U.S. Coast Guard Civil Engineering Unit Cleveland, ATTN: Joseph Lambert, 1240 E 9th Street, Cleveland, OH 44114.
