Navy Clears Way for 14 LCS Ships to Come to Mayport

With the Navy relying more on Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) in recent years, Mayport is set to become the home port for 14 of them by 2020. These surface vehicles are mostly used for operations near shore.

The Navy recently concluded an enviromental study which found bringing the 14 LCS ships to Mayport would not have a major impact.

The Navy has released a Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) after evaluating the potential environmental effects that could result from home-porting up to 14 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) at Naval Station Mayport, Fla., by 2020," the Navy said in a statement. The Navy evaluated the potential environmental effects of home-porting up to 14 LCS' at Naval Station Mayport, Fla., or Naval Station Norfolk, Va. Although no final decision has yet been made, the Navys preferred alternative is to home-port the initial East Coast Littoral Combat Ships at Naval Station Mayport.

This finding brought a cheer from U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., who sits on the House Defense Appropriations Committee.

The environmental assessment underscores the Navys plans to home-port up to 14 Littoral Combat Ships at Naval Station Mayport by 2020, Crenshaw said. Thats good news for our national security and good news for Mayport -- the preferred alternative for home-porting the Littoral Combat Ship East Coast fleet. Northeast Florida military bases are a solid anchor to our national security, and home-porting the East Coast Littoral Combat Ship fleet at Mayport is a natural fit for this ship.