STATE TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINT AGAINST ISLAND COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS
Health Harms from Navy Jet Noise Ignored
The Washington State Board of Health agreed by unanimous vote at its November 9 meeting, to investigate a complaint filed by citizen organizations against two Island County health officials. The complaint, filed by Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve (COER) and Island Concerned Citizens (ICC) on October 31, charges the health officer and the administrative officer of the Island County Board of Health with failing in their duties to obey and enforce public health laws aimed at protecting citizens from health harms.
The health risks and harms identified in the complaint are caused by controversial low-flying Navy EA18G Growler Jets that expose people in homes, schools, parks and places of business to hazardous noise. Navy Growler noise, according to the complaint, causes a host of health harms and exceeds maximum community levels established by the State of Washington, the EPA, the Occupational and Health Administration (OSHA), and the World Health Organization.
The complaint charges Dr. Brad Thomas, Island County Health Officer with refusing to take any action to warn citizens about the risk of health harms caused by controversial low-flying Navy EA18G Growler Jets. The complaint also alleges that Island County Public Health Director Keith Higman was instrumental in the Island County Health Board’s passage of a resolution that contradicts state law and is aimed at blocking efforts to warn citizens about harms from Navy jet noise. Higman serves as the county health board’s administrative officer.
“We turned to the state because Island County’s public health officials have placed their personal political views and self-interest above the health needs of the community,” said Ken Pickard, President of Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve (COER). “They only see Navy dollars, which they appear to value over the health of the citizens they are supposed to serve and protect,” he said.
“We expect a visit by those charged with investigating this complaint and we will facilitate interviews with noise victims and our health experts,” said COER member Maryon Attwood. “What has been allowed to happen on Whidbey Island is an outrage,” she added. “This is the US Navy harming the people they are supposed to protect, and doing so with the blessing and encouragement of a politicized Local Board of Health.”
Residents from across Whidbey Island had asked the Island County Health Board and its Health Officer in April to post warning signs in hazardous noise areas where thousands of annual low-level training flights expose people to toxic noise. Residents provided the County Health Board and the Navy with declarations of patients and medical professionals attesting to the on-going harms suffered by those exposed to toxic Growler noise. Also provided, was science-based data and research addressing the adverse health impacts of noise, including impaired childhood learning and development.
According to the complaint, Dr. Brad Thomas initially expressed support for posting warning signs before being threatened with non-renewal of his contract by Island County Health Board Chairperson Jill Johnson. Jill Johnson, who is also an Island County Commissioner, supported the increase in Grower operations, including those taking place over central Whidbey Island where a noted medical expert claims a noise-induced “medical emergency” now exists.
By a 3 to 2 vote, the Island County Health Board passed a surprise resolution, approved in advance by Keith Higman that sought to absolve board members of any responsibility to address health threats or harms associated with Navy jet noise. The resolution was introduced board chairperson and Island County Commissioner, Jill Johnson and seconded by board member and Island County Commissioner, Richard Hannold. Hannold previously worked on Growler jets for a Navy contractor.
“The hostile resolution approved by Keith Higman ignores overwhelming scientific and medical evidence of noise induced health harms,” said Marianne Brabanski, MS, a retired audiologist and COER Board Member. “It reflects the narrow-minded thinking of a few public officials acting as extensions of the Navy. All are politicians, and none have medical training,” she added.
The October 31 complaint to the Washington State Board of Health follows a separate complaint filed by citizens against the five board members of the Island County Board of Health filed with the Washington Secretary of Health on August 22. The Secretary of Health has yet to respond to the complaint.
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Copies of Complaints can be viewed on COER’s website HERE.
Island Concerned Citizens website is http://www.concernedislandcitizens.org/
Moving to an Island in the proximity of a Naval Air Station and then complaining about Jet noise takes an exceptionally short sighted individual. To directly benefit from the security provided by the Military and complain about the training required to keep those who would protect you from harm is ridiculous. There are far too many communities available,away from Military installations, in which complainers may reside.
Regretfully, complainers do not seek solutions they only wish to complain. Should you want a significant change, move.
Mr Frail,
Your arguments are weak and feeble. The same old rhetoric and name calling you and your Kool-aid drinking ilk have been spewing for years.
The Navy has increased operations and changed planes which contribute to conditions that never previously existed on Whidbey. How is any individual with any type of sight supposed to predict what the Navy will do. There are many places more suited to jet training. Let the Navy move. Let them incur the cost, disruption and emotional impact of moving. Oh, and the fable that the Navy is protecting me from harm, please spare me. All they are protecting is the continuation of the military industrial complex Eisenhower warned us of.