A public meeting to discuss proposed construction of a new Naval health clinic is set for 5-7 p.m. Thursday, March 22 at the Bakerview Restaurant/Chief Petty Officer Club.

The Navy is preparing an environmental assessment, or EA, to evaluate the potential impacts associated with the construction and operation of the new clinic for Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

Public comment at this stage is meant to identify the scope of the EA, according to a Navy official.

Comments received before April 2 will become part of the official record.

A new clinic is needed to provide facilities that are considered appropriately sized by federal criteria for military health facilities, according to a fact sheet about the project. The existing clinic, which was built prior to current criteria, is approximately 120,000 square feet. To meet federal requirements, the new clinic would need approximately 240,000 square-feet of building space.

“The proposed facility would continue to offer the same level of care currently available to military and retired beneficiaries, as well as their dependents, in the local area,” according to a press release.

The same services would be provided at the new location that are offered at the current one, including aviation medicine, dental, birthing, primary care, diagnostic imaging, physical therapy, mental/behavioral, helicopter pad, lab and pharmacy services, according to a spokesperson for the base.

Two locations are being considered for the new clinic, according to the fact sheet. One is a 17-acre site at the Ault Field portion of the base. This site currently includes an auto hobby shop, Navy/Marine Corps intranet warehouse, storage and the environmental spill response team.

All of the existing buildings would be demolished. Construction would also involve road improvements to address access and congestion, the fact sheet said.

The second option is a 13-acre site at the Seaplane Base where residential units have been demolished. Three remaining facilities would need to be removed, including a bus stop, utility shack and tennis court.

The third option presented would be to operate two smaller clinics at both sites.

The Ault Field clinic would house aviation medicine and the dental clinic. The Seaplane Base building would have birthing, primary care, administration and helipad services.

• Another public review and comment period will take place after a draft EA is completed. Written comments about the EA can be emailed to nwnepa@navy.mil