It would have been nice to read in The Leader about the recent decision by Judge James Dixon of the Thurston County Superior Court in Olympia that reversed the Washington State Park Commission’s earlier decision permitting the Navy to use local state parks for covert military training operations. This is huge news for anyone concerned about the militarization of local areas set aside for recreation!

Indeed, Judge Dixon based his ruling on the stated purpose of the state parks, which is for preservation of the natural environment and recreation for the people, and he stated that “to allow the use of state parks for non-park purposes is a violation of the park commission’s limited authority.” He also expressed what so many local people had conveyed in letters and hearings: the negative impact of the proposed military use on the natural environment and on the people who use the parks. He noted the damaging effects which might occur for people coming upon armed soldiers in the park and how the commission failed to address this very important issue.

I’d like to express immense gratitude to all the local people and organizations who worked tirelessly on this issue for years and a special thank you to the group on Whidbey that brought the suit that won us back our parks.

And please, Leader, don’t miss stories like this that affect the daily lives of people in this area.

Helen Lauritzen
PORT TOWNSEND