U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer has asked the U.S. Navy to extend the time people can comment on a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) about the impact of increased testing of EA-18G Growler aircraft …
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The U.S. Navy’s proposed increased use of EA-18G Growler aircraft at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, like this one pictured last year passing over Jefferson County, is the subject of a public comment now slated to end Jan. 15. Leader file photo
U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer has asked the U.S. Navy to extend the time people can comment on a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) about the impact of increased testing of EA-18G Growler aircraft originating from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
In a Jan. 5, 2017 letter to Dennis V. McGinn, with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Energy, Installations and Environment, Kilmer contends that the “strength of the United States military comes from the support of the American people.”
“As you and I have discussed several times before, folks in our neck of the woods are as passionate about protecting the unique soundscape and environment of our region as they are supporting the military and those who serve it,” Kilmer wrote.
“Public lands like the Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest act as our nation’s promise to protect historic cultures and critical habitats of endangered and threatened species,” Kilmer wrote in requesting an extension.
Kilmer suggests that extending the comment period 30 days – from Jan. 25 to Feb. 25 – would “give my constituents and other parties additional time to thoroughly review, understand and provide meaningful responses to the draft EIS.”
He notes that while he is grateful to the Navy for providing more than the minimum amount of time required for public comment, the length of the document, history of concern, holidays and other “outstanding actions” that will impact the environment warrant even more time. The letter did not specify to what actions he was referring.
As of Tuesday morning, Jan. 10, Kilmer had not heard from McGinn, according to a spokesperson.
The U.S. Navy conducted the five open-house meetings to measure public response to the draft EIS.
The Navy maintains that the tests are necessary in order to increase military preparedness. Opponents take issue with that. Local protests have centered on the impact on the environment and the resulting noise.
The Navy is seeking input on three alternatives. All would increase the number of electronic warfare jets and training exercises, and bring Navy personnel and their families to the area. Each alternative includes three scenarios, dividing the tests between two locations on Whidbey Island: Ault Field, north of Oak Harbor, and Outlying Field Coupeville, across Admiralty Inlet from Port Townsend.
Decreasing or discontinuing the tests is not on the table, which did not stop many attendees at a meeting in December in Port Townsend from voicing a preference for that option.
The final EIS is expected sometime in 2017, with no schedule set for implementation.
The draft EIS is available online at
whidbeyeis.com as well as at public libraries.
Comments also can be mailed to EA-18G EIS Project Manager, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic – Attn: Code EV21/SS, 6506 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23508 or go to the online form at
whidbeyeis.com/Comment.aspx.
