CONGRATULATIONS,
GOVERNOR ELECT BOB FERGUSON!
As Attorney General, Bob Ferguson heard our stories and believed we had a case against the Navy and, along with COER’s attorney’s, took the Navy to federal court. Many of us got to know Bob at the Crockett Barn in Coupeville and we know he heard the Growlers – because we were there. We can depend upon him to defend the people of Washington because we know he’s good to his word and good at his job.
While the rest of the country moved to the right, Washingtonians strengthened our blue line. Based upon the past, we know that a second Trump presidency will be hard for the environment, climate change and endangered species. But – we are not powerless! As we grieve, we also recommit to fighting to protect our communities and our future from military jet noise, and to defend and build on the progress we’ve made.
We want to make one thing crystal clear: We are committed to a safe and livable future for our region, where all of our communities have access to clean air and water, and the quiet sanctuaries of our parks, reserves, and preserves.
COER’s mission is to defend the health and wellbeing of our Salish Sea communities, both human and animal, that are under threat from Navy jet warfare training.
New Opportunities! Newly elected and re-elected Commissioners offer us hopeful opportunities with the Island County Public Health Board. A new superintendent and new Principal in Coupeville also open the door to new conversations about jet noise and impacts on the education of our children from military jet noise.
Unsurprisingly, the Navy has once again thumbed its nose at the federal court and the public. Instead of abiding by Judge Jone’s judgment and re-evaluating its Growler Expansion EIS by May 1, 2025, the Navy instead decided to appeal his decision to the 9th Circuit. This appeal will prolong the suffering of Central Whidbey residents and others throughout the region.
Given the Navy’s appeal, COER filed its own appeal on the issues we lost before. And the litigation continues on, which means our legal costs do as well. We anticipate that this appeal will cost us an additional $30,000 and also delay the filing of our
campaign on behalf of the endangered Marbled Murrelet until late Spring 2025.
We hope many of you will consider sending end-of-year financial support for these new litigation costs!
Help us show the Navy what community resolve looks like in the face of unjust decisions that have put people and our environment in Harms Way! Thank you.
Island County’s Comprehensive Plan is in
the works
What is the public process?
1. How can we use the results from the University of Washington Health Study to inform our land use and deal with military jet noise?
2. What is the public process for hiring a new public health director?
3. Has noise been considered in land use analysis & has the 2005 AICUZ Accident Potential Zones been examined as a result of the Navy’s operational expansion at the OLF in Coupeville?
The 2005 AICUZ for the EA-18G Growler fleet based at NASWI has failed it’s primary purpose – not to create conflict with local government and to allow local government to make long-term land use decisions. As a result local land uses surrounding the Navy’s Outlying Field Coupeville (OLFC) have been allowed without restraint.Coupeville Outlying Field presently does not have APZ’s defined, however, the Navy’s current plans require these zones to be established.
Because local development has proceeded under the deceptive 2005 AICUZ, how is the local community to be fairly compensated for the Navy’s devastating encroachment? How can we, our local planning officials, and the public feel confident that the current situation is not compounded by a process that has failed to protect our state’s local land use planning processes? As proposed by the DoD, this process will result in recommended Accident Potential Zones (APZ), in categories APZ I, APZ 2, etc.
Here’s the problem: The APZ’s have permissible uses that do NOT include housing, businesses with several employees, public gatherings, etc. When these zones are established, the property within these zones typically gets re-zoned to compatible use. What happens when the use that is ALREADY present is “incompatible?” The property can be condemned by the government authority having land use jurisdiction and the property owner can be forced to sell or change the present use to a “compatible” use.
Out Of Date: The current AICUZ from 2005 called for 6120 flight carrier landing operations at OLFC, but the Navy has increased its operations to 23,700 operations in Coupeville — totally upending the planned and implemented land uses currently in effect.
Now What? This puts into question the viability of the 2005 AICUZ and shows the Navy’s disregard for public time and dollars wasted in preparing the AICUZ and in crafting good-faith compatible land uses. Not surprisingly, this disregard for transparent public planning has resulted in widespread community discord, which should be addressed in the new 2025 Comprehensive Plan planning process.
GET INVOLVED -YOU CAN HELP!
Learn more. Attend COER meetings!
Contact: maryon@citizensofebeysreserve.com
Island County’s Comprehensive Plan due by Dec. 31, 2025
Throughout the process of updating the comprehensive plan, the public will be encouraged to participate and help shape growth in the country over the next 20 years.
The Growth Management Act (GMA) was passed in Washington State in 1990 to help local jurisdictions manage their growth. The GMA requires periodic updates of comprehensive plans to comply with changes to state law, changes to land use, and updated population growth, housing, and employment projections. During an update, the public has an opportunity to provide input on how and where growth should occur, which will help shape how their communities may look in the future.
Recently, we have been reminded that our democracy requires participation — you can help provide important input for a solution that will impact you and your family or business …. Reduce the number of Growler operations to the former number of 6120 … or move Growler training to more suitable locations.
Board of Island County Commissioners
The Long Range team will present to the Board on Wednesday, November 13 on Urban Growth Area and Joint Planning Area requests from Coupeville and Langley for the Comprehensive Plan Update. Visit the agenda center later this week to see the time and materials for this presentation (agendas are typically posted on Fridays).
Engagement Opportunities
The Camano Island American Legion is hosting a Comprehensive Plan Information and Q&A meeting on November 12th starting at 3 PM. The meeting will be held at the Camano Center, 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano, WA 98282. There is a virtual option via Google Meet, join using https://meet.google.com/prj-vpyz-cbq. Contact walegionpost207@gmail.com for more information
Volunteer to attend meetings for COER:
contact or send feedback to: maryon@citizensofebeysreserve.com
Contacts: Island County, Planning and Community Development Long Range Planning Phone: 360-679-7339
COER Charitable Supports COER’s programs
COER programs provide information and leadership against unwanted military jet noise in Puget Sound, taking action on litigation of national importance, ground-breaking research, and finding key experts — to bring hope for a more tranquil environment.
PROGRAMS Educational Materials & Distribution — Research in Endangered Species & Jet Noise Impacts — Funding for Economic, Noise & Health Related Studies — Litigation — Freedom of Information Requests — Expert Testimonies — Action
Thank you!
Our Community Cares!
