PORT TOWNSEND — U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks said Port Townsend residents should not be concerned about plans to have four converted guided missile/special operations submarines use Naval Magazine Indian Island in the future.
The submarines would load and unload non-nuclear Tomahawk missiles and torpedoes and take care of minor maintenance needs at the base.
“Their safety record is impeccable,” said Dicks about Indian Island’s loading and off-loading of munitions.
During his visit Tuesday to Port Townsend, Dicks, D-Belfair, whose congressional district includes Jefferson and Clallam counties, spoke about his support of the Navy’s efforts in Jefferson County.
“Indian Island is providing very good jobs and is a very important national defense facility,” said Dicks, who encouraged concerned residents to contact him.
Dicks called Indian Island, a munitions storage and transfer depot for the Navy’s Pacific Fleet across the bay from Port Townsend, “a very important base that’s doing good work.”
He added that Indian Island Navy leaders were doing their best to inform Port Townsend and Jefferson County residents about their mission.
The congressman made his comments during his visit Tuesday to tour several Port Townsend historic preservation projects which he helped finance through special congressional appropriations.
