EDITORIAL: Outside

Posted

The clocks have moved forward an hour for Daylight Saving Time. Orcas are paying a visit to Jefferson County waters. It’s spring – time to get outside and soak up some sun, smell the fresh grass, listen to the songbirds, remember why you live here.

Sometimes we forget the reasons we live in a beautiful area with so much to offer.

Access to the beaches and the ocean are available through county, state and national public parks.

And there are plenty of opportunities to learn about the ocean and get out on the water through the Port Townsend Marine Science Center and the Northwest Maritime Center, to name just two of the organizations that offer doors to the great outdoors.

It’s time to get out, get moving and enjoy these public gems.

And for those who are concerned about the future of those gems, now would also be a good time to tell the U.S. Navy that our public shorelines are not a good place for Navy SEALs to practice their training when there are hundreds of miles of Navy-owned property in Kitsap and Jefferson counties.

For those new to the conversation, the Navy is proposing to use state parks and a growing amount of private shorelines throughout Jefferson County to train SEALs on how to sneak up on the enemy without being detected. It’s all because the cold waters in our area are ideal for such training, according to the Navy.

Thankfully, the Navy extended the deadline for commenting on its plans to March 23.

So before you head outside, email the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest at nwnepa@navy.mil and tell them that using state parks, county parks and shorelines for such practices is unacceptable. Or don’t, of course, if you are OK with the Navy training on your private property.

It should be noted that the U.S. Navy is planning military maneuvers April 2-6 at Naval Magazine Indian Island, where it has had a base for decades. We appreciate the military giving the community a heads-up about its intentions to train, and we recognize the importance of training exercises.

We also note, with curiosity, that the press release sent by the Navy read, “Advanced coordination has taken place with local law enforcement and first responders.” Odd, then, that the Port Townsend Police Department had not heard of the exercises as of Monday, March 19, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office also wasn’t sure what that meant.

The U.S. Navy needs to recognize that the people of Jefferson County value the environment, value real public notice.

So, let’s get outside and get the word out about how important these parks are to us.

– Allison Arthur