Input opportunity
The Navy announced in September that it has delayed about 10 months the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on stationing all EA-18G Growler aircraft on Whidbey Island.
In the EIS, the Navy continues to consider only three training site options — all three at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island — ignoring other military operating areas that meet their training needs.
The issue has gone beyond “not in my backyard” noise, water, air pollution and economic studies to something more strategic and far-reaching:
Federal and state agencies have cited the Navy on several issues including a rating of “insufficient” by the Environmental Protection Agency for the DEIS (draft EIS) noise modeling, a Department of Health report that jet noise poses a threat to public health, and a letter from U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer calling on the Council of Environmental Quality to review the Navy’s noise modeling data.
EA-18G electronic warfare training will include both high- and low-level flights over the Olympic National Park and Forest.
This includes Hoh Rain Forest, a Unesco Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site considered the “quietest place in the United States.”
In July 2017, the United States Forest Service granted the Navy operational permits for expanded electronic warfare training in Olympic National Forest for which it is now being sued, according to the PDN (Sept. 24).
NAS Whidbey, considered temporary in World War II, is vulnerable to seismic disturbances and associated tsunamis.
It is located directly on Devils Mountain, Utsalady Point and Strawberry Point faults, according to University of Washington reports.
This fact has not been reported, was not included in the DEIS, and can be corroborated by geologists studying seismic trends in the region.
There is an opportunity in Port Townsend to seriously vet this issue with our state representatives at 5:30 p.m. today at the commissioners’ chambers in the Elks Lodge, 555 Otto St.
Brian P. Cullin.
Quilcene
Cullin is a retired Navy captain.