Meeting on Navy electronic warfare training project is in Forks tonight
Published 12:01 am Tuesday, October 14, 2014
FORKS — A community meeting with representatives of the U.S. Navy and Forest Service is set for tonight to address concerns surrounding the Navy’s proposed electronic warfare training project.
The event, organized by the Forks Chamber of Commerce, is planned for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Forks High School commons, 261 S. Spartan Ave.
The $11.5 million warfare training project would mark the first use of electromagnetic radiation for the Navy training that pilots now simulate with internal aircraft controls.
Comment on issuing a Forest Service permit based on the Pacific Northwest Electronic Warfare Range project’s environmental assessment was set to end last Friday, but the deadline was extended to Oct. 31.
The Forest Service is considering issuing a special-use permit for the Navy to use its roads during the exercises, and organizers have said today’s meeting is intended to educate the public for the Forest Service’s permit comment period.
Representatives of the Navy and Forest Service will answer questions from the public.
The exercises would be conducted by training aircraft from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island that would target electromagnetic radiation from emitters affixed to up to three camper-sized vehicles deployed in Clallam, Jefferson and Grays Harbor counties.
The Navy has said exposure to the electromagnetic radiation of 15 minutes or more could damage the liquid tissue of the eyes, but Navy personnel say measures taken to protect the public and animals will make it safe.
The Navy has also said the emitters would be at least 14 feet above the ground, and risk to animals or humans would only occur if they are in the direct path of the signal, above the emitter and within 100 feet.
The Navy’s environmental assessment for the project, which found no significant impact, can be viewed at http://tinyurl.com/PDN-Electrowarfare.
Public comments can be emailed to Forest Service environmental coordinator Greg Wahl at gtwahl@fs.fed.us or sent to Wahl at 1835 Black Lake Blvd. S.W., Olympia, WA 98512. The comment period closes Oct. 31.
