NAVY COVERT OPERATIONS IN WASHINGTON STATE PARKS

 Not in Our Parks has been working hard to bring to the attention of the State Parks Commission just how much the people of Washington don’t want our state parks invaded by military warfare training. On April 1, 2022, WE WON! Thurston County Superior Judge Dixon had reviewed over 1,000 pages of the record and issued a ruling immediately following oral arguments today.
In the case of Whidbey Environment Action Network (WEAN) vs Washington State Parks Commission, the court ruled:
  1.  The Commission overstepped its legal authority in approving military training in state parks and vacated the commission’s January 28, 2021 decision approving the training. In the ruling the judge pointed out that the commission was charged with overseeing the state parks for the purposes for which they were set aside by the legislature: Recreation, Preservation and Education of the parklands.  Nowhere in the statute is military training mentioned and it clearly does not fall into the purpose for which the parks were created. Nor do the definitions of Recreation, Preservation and Education include military training – either explicitly or implied.
  2.  State parks also violated the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) by not completing comprehensive reviews including impact on the public – either physical or emotional.  The Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance approved by the commission was likewise vacated meaning the SEPA review did not comply with state law.
This is stunning victory for WEAN as the court validated every point in the complaint resulting in an effective prohibition of military training in state parks.  This is the first ruling on military use of public parks in the state and will become an important precedent in state case law.
Help pay the attorney’s fees – we won, but we owe the brilliant lawyer who made it possible: DONATE

See this article recently published in the Columbia Review: https://www.cpreview.org/blog/2022/1/militarization-in-state-parks-washington-states-environmental-hypocrisy

Public records reveal overwhelming objection to military warfare training in State Parks: 800+ written comments, 7,300+ petition signatures, and 74 verbal testimonies against – 9 for. 

In spite of this hue and cry, on January 28th, 2021, State Parks Commissioners had voted 4 to 3 to allow this incompatible use of our state parks. The U.S. military and State Park Department management have spent over two years devising applications and revising wording to make the training appear as if it will not subject the unknowing public to surveillance, i.e. “creep factor” as coined by one State Park Commissioner.

THEY SAID WHAT? Their own words tell the story…2016, December 6th – State Parks Environmental Program Manager memo to WA State Attorney General staff member: “We have some development on the horizon involving the military and exercises they want to do in our parks. We already allow them to do similar exercises (see attached) within four of our parks – the agreement was done before my time – unfortunately the public found out about it last year and were less than pleased.” 

2017, April 24th – Whidbey News-Times, Jessie Stensland: Sheila Murray, Navy Region Northwest deputy public affairs officer explains that the training is meant to have no impact on the environment or the public. In fact, members of the public may unwittingly be a part of the training. The intent of the training is to teach trainees the skills needed to avoid detection and to avoid leaving any trace behind during or after the training, according to the Navy. That means conducting operations around the public without the public being aware… “The whole point of doing it in populated areas is not to be seen,” Murray said. In any rare instances in which the activity is not compatible with the public, an instructor dressed in “khaki pants and a white t-shirt” will instruct people to stay back, Murray said.  

2020, February 12th – Navy Real Property Agreement applications pg. 3Surveillance and Reconnaissance (SR) excerpt: “Upon arrival at a designated area, trainees would hike to a designated observation point. Trainees are taught the techniques for conducting reconnaissance without alerting anyone to their presence or location…Trainees would use observation techniques, follow procedures, and report back on a scenario involving role play with military instructors or support staff.” 

See comments made to the Parks Commission from the public here: https://www.parks.wa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16721/Combined-Navy-Comments-received-after-Dec-18-2020
Find more information on the upcoming State Parks Commission Meetings: COMMISSION MEETINGS AND AGENDAS
Help fund the appeal to overturn the Commission’s decision to allow military warfare training in our State Parks: DONATE
 Support our efforts and spread the word: VOLUNTEER
Repost and share information from our social media: OUR INSTAGRAM
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Pictured: South Whidbey State Park Photo courtesy of Sue Ellen White
Thank you for being a parks defender. Not In Our Parks is a growing coalition of community and focus groups dedicated to reversing the Washington State Parks Commission’s decision to permit military warfare training in our parks and preventing it from happening again. All who share in that goal are welcome to join the coalition. Donations to fund the legal appeal to overturn the Commission’s permit go to the Whidbey Environmental Action Network, a local environmental 501(c)(3) non-profit with a history of fighting tough legal battles and winning.

Over the last few years, the U.S. military has been working to convince the Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission (Commission) to give their stamp of approval for military surveillance training in Washington state parks. This type of training had been happening in state parks for many years without a permit.* The military claims that in all the time that they have been conducting these training exercises, no one has ever observed their presence. Well, I am here to tell you that I personally know of more than one encounter with these trainings in the San Juan Islands.
Here is my story: a number of years ago, I was co-guiding an overnight kayak trip to Jones Island State Park with eight paying clients.  Upon our arrival to Jones Island, we noticed a large, unmarked military vessel off the south end of the island. I was quite surprised, as it was an unusual sight for the normally tranquil waters in this part of the Salish Sea. Over the next several hours, the vessel sent out several Zodiac inflatable boats that loudly motored this way and that. Around dusk, all of the Zodiacs returned to the main ship and calmness was restored to the bay and to our campsite. Our group members retired to their various tents for what we all hoped would be a peaceful night sleeping out in nature. That was, after all, why these people had traveled from out of state to enjoy our peaceful islands. At about midnight, one of the folks in our group woke me up to ask about all the troops in black that were storming the shore. As I stepped out of my tent, I was momentarily blinded by the bright spotlights shining from the large military vessel. Our entire party watched in shock as military exercises were conducted in the wee hours of the night; more Zodiacs zoomed around and landed on shore, various spotlights moved around the whole time, and trainees ran onto land. Finally, all of the military trainees disappeared into the woods and the lights were extinguished. We were definitely confused and freaked out, but there was nothing we could do, so the group uneasily went back to sleep. When we awoke the following morning, the military boat and all its participants were nowhere to be seen. Now, years later, I come to find out that the Commission has given their blessing for the state parks to be taken over by intrusive military training. That singular experience on Jones Island stuck with me and is one of the main reasons that I support Not in our Parks. I was proud to donate to WEAN to help support their lawsuit against this wrongful use of public parks. — Allan, San Juan Islands resident

The Navy was recently granted permission to use our Washington State Parks for their covert operations trainings. They will be allowed to use 17 of our public parks from dusk to dawn, even when campers are present. In November 2021, the Parks can grant them permission to conduct daytime trainings as well. The parks staff, at the direction of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, is working on details of granting them 24/7 access to park areas which are not open to the public at night. 

How did the Parks Commissioners ignore hundreds of pleas and thousands of petition signatures to the commission asking them to deny this request? The Navy has been working on the commissioners and senior parks staff for years.  This includes a VIP invitation to be flown out to an aircraft carrier, given a special VIP tour, spending the night on the carrier and observing carrier flight operations from a VIP area.  There were also invitations to luncheons with the Admiral and the Undersecretary of the Navy and private tours of Navy facilities. Records from the Parks staff document all these offers by the Navy, with the clear purpose of creating a favorable relationship with the decision makers – all at taxpayer expense.  

I urge you to join our letter campaign to advocate against covert military training in our state parks. Please write to Washington’s new State Parks Director, Mr. Peter Mayer. His job includes approving or disapproving the Navy’s proposed use of our state parks for covert military training. It is imperative for him to hear from the public (that’s you) informing him of their opinions about this outrageous use of our parks. You can reach him through his Executive Assistant, Becki Ellison at becki.ellison@parks.wa.gov or go to niop.org to send our pre-written letter at our website.

One of the most impactful and simple steps you can do to continue to protect Washington state parks, as you visit your favorite parks this summer, is to let your local park ranger know how you feel (we suggest: visiting the campfire program and talking to your ranger). So when you… SEE A RANGER, TELL A RANGER!

Below are some starters for speaking with your park ranger:

– Let them know: “I don’t want military training in our state parks!”

You may have a lots of reasons:

– I come to the parks for peace and serenity, to commune with nature, to see wildlife, to paint, to play

– I don’t want to be part of a military exercise

– I am concerned for the safety of Orcas, endangered plants, fish, and wildlife

– I don’t want state parks to foot the bill for Navy training

– AND many more….

Most importantly, though, is to let them know your opposition. They will be required to report your comment to their authority.

If you do speak to a park ranger, let us know at info@notinourparks.org who you spoke to, at which park, and when, so we can track the impact!

The State Parks and Recreation Commission narrowly voted 4-3 on January 28 to allow covert military training in coastal Washington State Parks, including every state park on Whidbey and Camano Islands. The decision was made despite overwhelming opposition by the public, including thousands of petition signers, nearly a thousand letters and emails, and opposition or serious concern expressed by the Coupeville and Langley Town Councils, the Port Townsend City Council, the Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee, the Jefferson County Commissioners, and the state Departments of Natural Resources and Fish and Wildlife.

In response,  Whidbey Environmental Action Network has launched a long term campaign to reverse the approval and permanently prohibit military training in state parks, except for emergency response services and search and rescue training.

So far, the campaign includes:
    • Filing a lawsuit against the State Parks Commission. The lawsuit, filed in Thurston County Superior Court by WEAN in early March, alleges that allowing covert military training is so far outside the purpose and mission of state parks that it violates the state law governing state parks. It also alleges that the decision violates the State Environmental Policy Act’s requirements that agencies fully disclose and analyze environmental impacts before making decisions.
    • Pulling together a growing coalition – the Not In Our Parks Coalition – to oppose the approval and convince the Parks Commission to reverse its decision, and to get the legislature to clarify state law to prohibit military training in our parks.
WEAN acts as the fiscal sponsor for the coalition.
    • Launching a website dedicated to the campaign – www.NotInOurParks.org.

How you can help:
    • Check out the campaign website at www.NotInOurParks.org.
The website is still young, so there are holes and some glitches that we’re still working out.
    • Even if you signed the petition that was posted on Change.Org (and over 7,000 people have), please sign the new petition at https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/not-in-our-parks-no-special-warfare-trainings-in-washington-state-parks
and spread the word!
    • Join the Not In Our Parks Coalition. There are currently
15 members. https://notinourparks.org/coalition
    Not In Our Parks is a coalition dedicated to reversing the Parks Commission’s approval and preventing it from happening again. All organizations, businesses, and governmental entities opposed to military training in Washington State Parks are welcome. The Not In Our Parks campaign exists to help you make your voice heard and support the lawsuit against this invasion of our parks.

We recognize that there are many reasons to oppose military training in our parks: economic impacts, environmental impacts, inconsistency with the purpose of state parks, and militarization of our culture. We respect the varying perspectives and reasons for opposing military training in our parks, and agree that our differences should not interfere in reaching our common goal. We are not against the people who serve in the military — we welcome their support and recreational use of parks. The only training the military should conduct in our parks is for search and rescue, and emergency services.
https://actionnetwork.org/forms/add-your-organization-to-the-not-in-our-parks-coalition

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Whidbey Environmental Action Network
Preservation     Education     Restoration
Box 53, Langley, WA   98260
(360) 579-4202
wean@whidbey.net
www.whidbeyenvironment.org
==========================================

Please see these two videos:

These are our WA State Parks: https://player.vimeo.com/video/502338474

https://youtu.be/8ao6O1J9lFk

also see this page: https://manage-the-damage.com/breaking-news

Langley city council passed a resolution opposing military training in state parks.  https://www.langleywa.org/CofL%20Res.pdf Please write letters to your local newspaper asking for a similar (or identical) resolution from your city and county.

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
                          Jessica Logan, Environmental Program Manager
Address:            PO Box 42650, Olympia WA 98504-2650
Phone:              (360) 902-8679   
Email:              SEPA@parks.wa.govTDD:                Washington Relay Service 711 or (800) 833-6388.

https://www.change.org/p/no-wargaming-in-washington-state-parks

How to Submit a comment to WA State Parks Commissioners re Navy SEAL Training in the parks.

General info is at: https://www.tvw.org/watch/?clientID=9375922947&eventID=2020111003&autoStartStream=true

To comment to the commission you can use this link: https://parks.state.wa.us/FormCenter/Parks-11/Navy-training-proposal-86

Or to send a more lengthy comment directly to the commissioners: Commission@parks.wa.gov

Key issues:

-Liability:  The Navy does not assume any liability should an unfortunate instance occur (i.e. when someone mistakes a training exercise for an invasion and starts shooting – this actually happened to Army  Special Forces in 2009 in Moore County, North Carolina resulting in one death and a serious injury – the county ended up paying over $700,000 in damages.)

-Tourism impact – what will happen if word gets out that the military is using state parks for training at any time from January through November? No announcements, no public notices, just covert training happening alongside civilians trying to have a good time in the parks. 

-The Navy claims that local law enforcement is aware of the training and will be alerted when traiings are schduled.  However, Jefferson County Sheriff’s office and the JEFFCOM 9-1-1 dispatch center have no records of being alerted to Special Operations Training at any state parks.  Ft. Flagler and Mystery Bay both are listed as have been used by the Navy for Special Operations training, yet no records of law enforcement notification can be found.

Why can the Navy go off-trail when the public is advised not to?  Preservation of sensitive species is the job of everyone.  NOT stepping of trail is the best way not to disturb them.

If the public does not participate overwhelmingly in the effort to ban the Navy from training in our State Parks, this could be the future:

 NAVY SEALS ARE NOT SAINTS

Although the Navy’s publicists want us to think these guys are perfect, here’s some recent history. This is only a partial list:

FROM NOT IN OUR PARKS (NIOP)
What do you love about your favorite state parks in Washington? Playing on a peaceful beach? The chance to see a special bird or animal? Sitting in a quiet grove of trees or photographing the wildflowers?    People are not the only ones who will be affected by the covert military training now permitted in up to 28 of Washington’s coastal state parks. The sensitive fish, wildlife, and plants in the coastal parks could sustain severe damage during training exercises, particularly those carried out in the dark of night. State Parks environmental documents leave us with far more questions than answers and the mitigations they require are ineffective.
The covert training includes “over-the-beach” activities and “insertion/extraction” of trainees via submersible craft, small boats, or jet skis, despite the presence of rare plants in nine of the state parks. How will trainees entering the park from the water ensure that they are not impacting sensitive wildlife, eelgrass, and other protected plants and habitats, especially at night? A State agency recommended the complete avoidance of grasslands and wetlands during the training exercises, but those habitats are often present near the water in these coastal state parks. Will the trainees, trainers, and other Navy personnel be trained ahead of time to recognize sensitive plants?  Will they be checking the ground with their flashlights before each bootstep? The military trainees are supposed to use public trails, even though the permit requires them to stay away from the public. How will crowds of trainees, trainers, and “observers” in boots moving from water to land in the dead of night not degrade the nearshore environment? How will their hiding places in the forests and shrublands not become trampled?  Monitoring of marine mammals and threatened Marbled murrelets is required, but how is that going to happen at night? How will State Parks ensure that the endangered resident Orcas are not going to be impacted by the noise of the Navy’s submersibles or watercraft? 
Send Gov. Inslee a Letter
Not only is covert military training inconsistent with the purpose of our state parks, but the mitigations State Parks is relying on to protect the Parks’ environment are ineffective, and impossible to implement and monitor. Please help us defend our beautiful Washington State Parks and all of the creatures and plants that call the land and adjacent waters their home. Write a letter to Governor Inslee and tell him that you oppose military trainings in our state parks. Ask him to appoint a State Parks Commissioner (one position is currently open) who will honor the mission of the state parks and serve civilian uses only.   Take a couple minutes to virtually send Inslee a letter (we even have a pre-written one for you!) and share the letter link with friends: http://notinourparks.org/inslee-letterLike and share our Facebook page, too!
 
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