Washington Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-6th District) sent off several letters requesting more information about the Navy’s plans concerning the Growler, and how it impacts the environment and his constituency.
In each of his letters, he began: “Given your agency’s mission, I request assistance in further understanding your recent and ongoing efforts impacting Washington’s Sixth Congressional District. Like many of my neighbors, I want my kids, and their kids to enjoy the pristine environment that I have been privileged to experience.”
To the Navy, he asked questions including the following:
- Has there been any skipping over required public comments or other required procedures?
- Has there been any modification of Growler operations following public comments?
- Has the Navy shown that the use of non-military lands are necessary because DOD-owned lands are unsuitable or unavailable (this is required by the 1988 Master Agreement)?
- How are boundaries of MOPs determined and modified?
- How is the Navy going to test and monitor the effects of sound?
He asked the Forest Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Park Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service questions such as:
- Has the department asked for information on these training plans from the Navy, and has the Navy complied?
- Does the Navy’s standards for environmental reviews differ from the Department’s, and if so, how?
- Does the Department disagree with the Navy’s findings?
- Has the Navy met consultation requirements with the Department?
- How does the Department measure compliance, and what authority do they have to enforce compliance?
All of the letters can be downloaded for view on our Links and Files page. Direct links for each are below:
Letter to Forest Service Letter to EPA Letter to NPS Letter to NOAA Letter to USFWS