A recently released draft report says there would be “minimal effects” on the environment if a proposed recreational vehicle park at Naval Support Activity Annapolis was built.

When proposed last year, the park, with spaces for 35-50 vehicles, was met with skepticism from Anne Arundel County residents who voiced environmental concerns at a public meeting. The May 9 assessment was done by the Department of the Navy and NSA Annapolis.

“The proposed RV Park aims to support the morale, welfare and recreation mission of the Navy,” said Chatney Auger, deputy director of Naval District Washington public affairs. “It is intended to provide recreational opportunities for service members, their families and other eligible patrons, enhancing the quality of life for the Navy community.”

The park would be open to military personnel, their families, civilian employees and military retirees.

The environmental assessment is required under the National Environmental Protection Act, which applies to federal agencies.

The proposed plan features two potential sites on NSAA property as well as a “No action” alternative used as a baseline for comparison.

Option 1 would be at the northern end of Greenbury Point at Possum Point, a grassy field with trees adjacent to the Mill Creek Marina. It would require the removal of about half an acre of trees and around 1 acre of new impervious surface.

Option 2 would be at North Severn Complex at Beach Road, a grassy clearing bordered by trees adjacent to buildings. This plan would require leveling the “steep slopes and uneven terrain” and the removal of up to 1.9 acres of trees.

Auger said the Navy has not indicated a preference and the environmental analysis and public input will inform the selection. She also said there has been no cost estimate for the proposed project.

A new site would add infrastructure to support modern RVs that need a stronger power supply  and meet the requirements of the Architectural Barriers Act, which ensures that buildings constructed with federal funding are accessible to people with disabilities.

A smaller 14-pad RV park currently sits on the North Severn Complex and is available for active-duty, retired and reserve military and Department of Defense employees and their families. Aging infrastructure and increased demand have spurred the need for expansion, according to the report.

In fiscal year 2023, there were 21 cancellations and 58 reservations that were lost due to facility issues, the report said.

The project received congressional approval in December 2023.

Jessy Oberright, an Arnold resident, runs the Greenbury Point Biodiversity Project, a citizen science effort that documents animals, plants and fungi at the conservation area. She said her view of the project hasn’t changed since last year when she spoke out against the possibility of an RV park at Greenbury Point. She’s concerned the species that call the conservation area home will be affected by the new RV park.

“I know they say there are ‘no significant effects,’” Oberright said. “I think they use that term somewhat lightly. I don’t think they’re taking into consideration users of the Greenbury Point Conservation, both human and wildlife.”

Oberright said an increase in traffic and the number of visitors alone will disrupt the animals inhabiting the conservation area but that she understands the need for outdoor recreation for military personnel. She prefers Option 2, a plan she called less invasive.

“I’m not against the building of the RV park,” Oberright said. “My concern is the least amount of disturbance to the environment and the conservation areas.”

Jesse Iliff, executive director of the Severn River Association, said it’s too soon to change his mind about opposing the project.

The Severn River Association, in a June letter signed by Iliff, urged NSAA and the Navy to adopt the “No action” option. But, like Oberright, if a plan is to be approved, Iliff and the association prefer Option 2.

The letter urged the selection of Option 2 as it “seems likely to do the least damage.”

A virtual public meeting regarding the environmental assessment is scheduled for June 5 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Following the public comment period the Navy will review all feedback and prepare the final environmental assessment. Auger said the Navy could not provide a timeline for when the project might start if approved.

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