Note: The above article means there may be fewer flights over Olympic National Park for electronic warfare training. does not mean there will be any decrease in growler touch-and-go trainings in Coupeville. In fact, those may increase (see final paragraphs of the article).
SeaTimes: Sound scientists respond to Navy, and so does a citizen re Growler jet noise:
1/9/2021 Seattle Times has two hits on the issue of Navy jet noise over the Olympics and Puget Sound. First is a response from the scientists who recently published sound studies in the Olympics about how the Navy has tried to dismiss the science without refuting it or using it:
https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/navy-should-use-our-data-on-growler-noise-not-dismiss-it/
That is paired with an equally great letter to the editor from a citizen who simply relates their own experience:
https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/growler-noise-navy-must-be-stopped/
To respond, you can post a comment at the link below the op-ed, or write a brief (max. 200 words) letter of your own to: letters@seattletimes.com
You can also make sure your local elected officials see these by forwarding the links to them with a note of your own about why you are concerned and a request for them to urge the Navy to change their operations to reduce Growler jet noise.
PAST ARTICLES:
From the Everett Herald:
Commentary: Navy’s welcome, but it must follow the law
A lawsuit by the state AG doesn’t seek to close the Whidbey base, just a full study of Growler noise.
By Larry Morrell
For The Herald
Many people in our region cheer Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s efforts to require the Navy to follow the law regarding the expansion of the EA-18G Growler jets based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
Contrary to recent statements by state Sen. Barbara Bailey, these folks know that Ferguson is not trying to boot the military out of the state (“Bob Ferguson’s war a threat to Whidbey Navy base,” The Herald, July 21). He is not anti-Navy. Nor is he prioritizing “a small bird over veterans, over our national security, and over our state’s livelihood.” He is simply insisting that the Navy follow procedures required by federal law.
Ferguson concluded that the Navy ignored the best available science on health impacts of extreme noise generated by the Growlers. The Navy’s Environmental Impact Statement says, “No studies have shown a definitive causal and significant relationship between aircraft noise and health,” even while citing several studies that showed a statistically significant link between noise and adverse health impacts. More than 4,000 comments were received in response, many citing scientific studies; the Navy refuted a few and simply ignored the rest. This is one of the attorney general’s objections, since the National Environmental Policy Act requires a complete assessment, not just one that supports a foregone conclusion.
After the Navy issued the Record of Decision in March and jets immediately began flying at an increased tempo, many people have fled their homes of decades because of the unbearable noise. They stay with friends outside the immediate area or have had to arrange for other places to live. Others are selling their homes citing unimaginable levels of noise when the Growlers are flying. The advice given by the Navy to local farmers who complain about the intensity is to “find indoor work.”
Indeed, the new reality on the ground shows exactly why the Navy “disappeared” the issue of noise with a wave of its hands, and why Washington’s attorney general is not allowing the vanishing act.
In addition to minimizing the devastating noise impacts, Sen. Bailey exaggerates the beneficial economic impact to communities of military bases and activities while ignoring the economic costs of a military presence.
A 2017 report from the Office of Economic Adjustment of the Department of Defense shows $5.6 billion in total military-related payroll for military personnel and civilians in Washington state. Another $1.7 billion in contracts brings the total to $7.3 billion, far less than the $30 billion of economic impact claimed by Bailey.
Contrary to her assertions, it is civilians who subsidize the military. Local communities with military installations receive fewer tax dollars from the military than communities with more private enterprises, but still provide the same services to all residents: social services, public schools, road maintenance, utility infrastructure, and so on. The Department of Defense pays no property tax, and shopping on base is sales-tax free. Those costs are not counted in typical “economic impact” references. Recognizing some of these needs, our state Legislature passed a bill this past session to establish a special account to aid these communities.
Department of Defense expenditures in Island County total $572 million. Compare that to the $4.4 billion at risk in the outdoor recreation industry in the seven counties affected by Growler operations: Snohomish, Kitsap, Skagit, Island, Clallam, Jefferson and San Juan. If jet noise chased away just 13 percent of the $4.4 billion spent, the region would lose $572 million because of the Growlers.
The risk to the outdoor recreation industry is real. Deception Pass State Park officials say they regularly issue refunds to campers who cannot tolerate the noise. The word about the jet noise is already out and could dissuade people from enjoying our amenities and spending money in the Puget Sound region.
Neither Attorney General Ferguson nor Sound Defense Alliance is suggesting that Naval Air Station Whidbey should pull up stakes. There are many benefits to having the base in the region: search-and-rescue operations, the presence of a military airfield in the event of catastrophic earthquake or tsunami, military dependents who fill important local jobs.
However, there is no argument — economic or otherwise — for giving the Navy a free pass to ignore the law. Sen. Bailey, in her role as a lawmaker, should know that the attorney general’s attempts to make the Navy follow the law is not a political ploy. It’s simply his job.
And we thank him for doing it.
Larry Morrell was executive director of Sound Defense Alliance at the time of this writing.
ARTICLES
Navy Jets Jeopardizing “Quietest One Inch” At Olympic National Park https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2020/12/navy-jets-jeopardizing-quietest-one-inch-olympic-national-park
‘We Are Collateral Damage’: More, Louder Jets Roil Military Communitie Levi Pulkkinen • Posted on September 13, 2019 https://bitterrootmag.com/2019/09/13/we-are-collateral-damage-more-louder-jets-roil-military-communities/
NEWS
On September 12, 2019, MARZULLA LAW, LLC, Washington DC, in conjunction with SUSMAN GODFREY, LLP, Seattle WA, filed a Tucker Act action against the United States alleging that the Navy’s Growler Expansion EIS and Record of Decision constituted a taking without compensation of property rights in violation of the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution. This lawsuit was brought on behalf of 24 named Plaintiffs, most of whom live in Admiral’s Cove. Plaintiffs seek to certify this action as a Class Action.
Anyone interested in information about this lawsuit should contact Jenna Farleigh at Susman Godfrey LLP at (206) 505-3826.
View the full legal document on COER’s website here: Class Action Complaint for Just Compensation
For a list of general press coverage regarding Growler Expansion at NASWI, click here.
Meeting with Derek Kilmer, Sept. 4, 2019, in Forks, WA https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=311af793fe&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-f:1644263250971570123&th=16d198b70f63afcb&view=att&disp=safe
July 17, 2019: Port Townsend Leader – AG Sues Navy Over Growler Expansion
June 14th, 2019: South Whidbey Record – (LTE) Sound Defense Alliance is a Regional Organization
June 9th, 2019: KLOI, Lopez Island – Interview with Larry Morrell, SDA Executive Director
May 13, 2019: High County News – The Roar of Military Jets Triggers a Crusade for Quiet
May 10, 2019: This Is Whidbey – Creating an Enduring Prairie Legacy in Coupeville
March 27, 2019: PT Leader – Sound Defense Alliance Organizes Against Growlers
March 21, 2019: The Islands Weekly – Navy Announces Massive Growler Expansion
March 18, 2019: San Juan Islander – Response from Sound Defense Alliance to Navy’s Addition of 36 Growlers
March 12, 2019: Seattle Times – Navy Rejects Call for More Monitoring of Growler Jet Training on Whidbey Island
January 8, 2019: South Whidbey Record – Langley Urged to Oppose Growler Expansion
December 18, 2018: Whidbey News Times – Big Crowd Anticipated for Historic Properties Meeting
December 11, 2018: Whidbey News Times – (Letter to the Editor) Seattleite: Need to say, ‘No New Jets. No New Flights.’
December 4, 2018: Whidbey News Times – (Letter to the Editor) Yes, Many People Knew Flight Path, But Growlers Came Later
December 3, 2018: Seattle Times – Navy Ends Talks to Ease Growler Jet Impacts on Whidbey Island Historic District
December 1, 2018: South Whidbey Record – (Letter to the Editor) Ebey’s Reserve in Need of Environmental Protection
November 27, 2018: South Whidbey Record – (Letter to the Editor) Central Whidbey is Trying to Fight For Its Future
November 23, 2018: Whidbey News Times – (Letter to the Editor) Not Compelled to Defer to ‘Navy Experts’ on Jet Noise
November 21, 2018: Seattle Times – Navy’s Noisy Need For Speed on Whidbey Island Riles Residents
November 20, 2018: Whidbey News-Times – Alliance Against Growler Expansion Not Going Away
November 18, 2018: Seattle Post Intelligencer – Noisy Growler Jets – Coupeville Seeks to Curb Navy Buildup
November 13, 2018: Whidbey News Times – Coalition Plans Second Growler Event Thursday
November 9th, 2018: Whidbey News Times – (Letter to the Editor) Navy Seeking Comments on Nonexisting Agreement
October 22, 2018: Stanwood Camano News – (Letter to the Editor) Navy Wants Us To Think More is Less
October 19, 2018: South Whidbey Record – (Letter to the Editor) Whidbey Island Too Divided Over Growler Training in Coupeville
October 15, 2018: The Islands’ Weekly – Region Rallies Against Growler Growth
October 11, 2018: Whidbey News Times – Larsen Passing On Growler Concerns to Pentagon
October 10, 2018: Port Townsend Leader – Sound Defense Alliance Debuts
October 5, 2018: Whidbey News Times – Sending a Sign
October 5, 2018: South Whidbey Record – Hundreds Rally Against Jet Noise
October 5, 2018: San Juan Islander – Hundreds Protest – NO NEW JETS, NO NEW FLIGHTS
October 5, 2018: Peninsula Daily News – Navy Action on Jets Prompts Protests in Port Townsend
September 30, 2018: Peninsula Daily News – Navy: More aircraft, flights in plan for Whidbey Air Station, Outlying Field Coupeville
July 31, 2019: San Francisco Chronicle – State’s Lawsuit Against Navy Puts Island Officials at Odds
July 30th, 2019: Whidbey News Times – (LTE) Claims About AG Lawsuit Against Navy Misleading
July 30th, 2019: The Island’s Weekly – (LTE) Lawsuit Against the Navy is Vital For Our Region
July 16th, 2019: The Daily Herald – Editorial: Question Over Growler Impacts Now Left to Lawsuit
July 16, 2019: South Whidbey Record – (LTE) Navy Should Reconsider Increased Use of OLF
July 10, 2019: VIDEO, Washington AGO – Navy Growlers Press Conference
July 10, 2019: The Daily Herald – Washington Sues Navy Over Noisy Growlers on Whidbey Island
July 10, 2019: KBKW – AG Ferguson Sues Navy Over Impact of Expanded Growler Jet Operations
July 9, 2019: Washington Post – Washington State Sues Navy Over Expanded Flights on Island
July 9, 2019: Whidbey News-Times – (LTE) Growlers Were Designed To Be Loud To Be Heard By All
July 9, 2019: Victoria News – US Navy Being Sued For Expanded Flights From Island Near Victoria
July 9, 2019: KING 5 News – Washington AG Will Sue Navy Over Jet Noise on Whidbey Island
July 9, 2019: Seattle Times – Washington State Sues Navy Over Expansion of Growler Jet Training on Whidbey Island
July 9, 2019: Whidbey News-Times – COER Sues Navy Over FIOA Violations
July 9, 2019: Whidbey News-Times – State Attorney General is Suing Navy Over Growler Expansion at NAS Whidbey
June 23, 2019: Peninsula Daily News (LTE) – Navy Jets Disturb the Peace at Lake Crescent, Park
June 19th, 2019: Methow Valley News – Methow Valley Quiet Shattered Again by Navy Jets
June 14th, 2019: South Whidbey Record (LTE) – Growler Roar is Too Loud; Threatens Public Health
June 11th, 2019: Peninsula Daily News (LTE) – Navy Growlers Bring Noise to Wild Places
June 9th, 2019: Peninsula Daily News (LTE) – Olympic National Park No Place for Growlers Flying Overhead
May 31, 2019: South Whidbey Record – New Safety Alarms As The Number of Growlers Grow
May 17, 2019: South Whidbey Record (Letter to the Editor) – Suggests JBLM as Site for Navy Landing Practices
May 3, 2019: Whidbey News-Times – Group Suing Navy for Not Producing Requested Growler Documents
April 10, 2019 (Letter to the Editor): PT Leader – Word Choice Questioned (LTE)
April 2, 2019: Whidbey News-Times (Letter to the Editor)- Jet Noise is Crippling for Navy Veteran Husband
March 29: South Whidbey Record (Letter to the Editor) – Increased Growler Noise Will Detract From Our Island
March 14, 2019: Whidbey News-Times – Navy Announces Decision on Growlers
February 26, 2019: South Whidbey Record – Agency Suggests More Negotiations on Growlers
February 21, 2019: South Whidbey Record (Letter to the Editor) – Fear Navy Wasn’t Working in Good Faith Now Confirmed
February 15, 2019: Whidbey News Times (Letter to the Editor) Exposure to Jet Noise May Have Damaging Effects
February 5, 2019: South Whidbey Record – Navy Philosophy Dismisses Locals Growlers Concerns
February 1, 2019: South Whidbey Record – Navy Moves Forward Without Final Growler Decision
January 18, 2019: Whidbey News-Times: (Letter to the Editor) Japanese Understand Impact of Navy Jet Noise
January 8, 2019: Whidbey News-Times – Shutdown Delays Final Decision on Growlers
January 8, 2019: South Whidbey Record – Letter Writer Was Spot On About Growler Concerns
January 4, 2019: South Whidbey Record – (Letter to the Editor) Whidbey Island is Too Vulnerable for EA-18G Growler Aircraft
December 28, 2018: Whidbey News Times – (Letter to the Editor) Navy Should Consider More on Growler Increase
December 26, 2018: Whidbey News Times – (Letter to the Editor) Ebey’s is a Rare Jewel, Please Protect It Forever
December 25, 2018: South Whidbey Record – (Letter to the Editor) Bristow Should Know the Locals Before Labeling
December 24, 2018: South Whidbey Record – (Letter to the Editor) Opposing Noisy Growlers is Far Cry From Unpatriotic
December 21, 2018: South Whidbey Record – Navy Confronted Over Jet Noise, Historic Sites
December 20, 2018: Seattle PI – Whidbey Residents Tell Navy: Let’s Negotiate on Your Noisy Growler Jets
December 13, 2018: Whidbey News Times – (Letter to the Editor) Increase in Flights Will Hurt Environment, Orcas
December 11, 2018: South Whidbey Record – (Letter to the Editor) Not Anti-Defense; Against Being ‘Collateral Damage’
December 11, 2018: Whidbey News Times – Meeting Set for Growler Impact on Historic Sites
December 9, 2018: Everett Herald – (Editorial) Navy Should Return to Talks On Growlers Impacts
December 5, 2018: South Whidbey Record – (Editorial) Hopefully Door Isn’t Fully Closed on Crucial Agreement
December 5, 2018: Seattle Times – (Letter to the Editor) Navy’s Growler Jets Ruin Whidbey Island Visit
November 30, 2018: San Juan Islander – Navy Terminates Section 106 Consultation for Increased Growler Operations at NAS Whidbey Island
October 31, 2018: Whidbey News Times – Larsen Asks Navy to Reduce Planned Coupeville Flights
October 27, 2018: South Whidbey Record – (Letter to the Editor) Department of Defense is Using D.C. Doublespeak
October 24, 2018: South Whidbey Record – Navy Wants Comments on Growler Impact to Reserve
October 3, 2018: GoAnacortes – Navy Releases Final Impact Study on NAS Whidbey Growler Fleet Expansion
September 29, 2018: HeraldNet – Navy’s Final EIS Sticks with 36 New Growlers at Whidbey Base
April 16, 2018: knkx.org – Navy Growler Noise Spurring Community Action Beyond Whidbey Island
MANAGE THE DAMAGE 