Why wasn’t the public consulted when drafting the 2023 Order?

EPA needed to immediately require the Navy to commit to certain aspects of transparency and oversight structure in order to formalize ongoing closure work that EPA was involved with. Therefore, EPA negotiated a draft Consent Order with the Navy as soon as possible. EPA shared the proposed order with all stakeholders, including the public, in late December 2022 and public comment was received through February 6, 2023, on regulations.gov.