Bringing in the New Year:Appeals Dropped
When the Navy appealed COER’s and the State of Washington’s judgment in the joint NEPA suit, the Oak Harbor Navy League stated that nationwide priorities were at issue and suggested that the Navy would consequently take their appeal to the highest court. As usual, they were just blowing smoke. That is, the Navy’s attorneys recently contacted COER’s attorneys for the purpose of dismissing all of the appeals. We concurred and all appeals were dismissed by the 9thCircuit Court of Appeals on January 6, 2025.
This makes final the judgment holding that the Navy violated the law and requiring them to do a supplemental EIS on the four issues they lost. By dismissing their appeal, the Navy implicitly acknowledges their violation of the law. They will now continue to prepare the supplemental EIS required by the Judge.
With your continued support, let’s hold their feet to the EIS fire, make sure they honestly confront the current science and facts, and show them how they are harming us. We will keep you posted on public meetings and weaknesses to attack in your comments. This fight is not over, but COER is here to stay. So, stay tuned, we will be calling all hands on deck to show the Navy who we are, and to tell them they will hear us!
OLF Operations Up in 2024
Estimates of field carrier landing practice (FCLP) at the Outlying Field increased a bit this year from 13,968 in 2023 to 15,696 operations in 2024. We estimated 53% of the operations were on Track #14, the eastern loop, compared with 47% in 2023, which averages out to about a 50:50 split between the two practice loops. That split differs significantly from the EIS, which figured on 30% for Track #14 and 70% for Track #32 (the western loop).
Which track is used, depends on the wind direction. Track #14 is used when winds are southerly, which predominate during fall and winter, or about half of the year. If the 50:50 split continues, which seems entirely likely, and if the Navy conducts 20,000 or more annual operations at the OLF, then the Navy will have to recommend Accident Potential Zones (APZ) for Track #14. The Navy avoided making that recommendation in its 2018 EIS because at 30% the number of operations was below the APZ threshold of 5,000 approach or takeoff operations at either end of the runway. A 50:50 split would also have a profound increase in noise experienced by folks living under the #14 loop and would increase the total number of people living in the extreme (75, 80, and >85 decibel) day-night noise zones.
Comprehensive Plan: The County Heard You
Hey, we also give a big thanks and shout-out to those who submitted great comments to the county re the comp plan update. Thirty-some comments! You really got their attention. The moderator even tried to suppress and muffle your voice, saying don’t comment to us, comment to the Navy instead. Well, we didn’t stop and we’re going to stay on it. The County’s do-nothing approach on jet noise is not an option. Public hearings will be held this spring and summer, so if you didn’t get a chance to comment before, we’ll be letting you know when the next window opens.
We don’t know how many of you also took the County’s parks survey, but we will be watching to see what the results of that survey have to say about the impact of Growler noise on park use and enjoyment. Stay Tuned.
COER and SDA Look at the Future
COER and SDA are discussing ways to enhance coordination, project prioritization, and fund-raising so that we get the biggest bang possible for the dollars raised. We will keep you informed as this effort takes shape.
Sick of Donation Solicitations?
We get it…private nonprofit solicitations went crazy at the close of 2024. It was a feeding frenzy. COER made a couple quiet requests, figuring folks would contribute if they could and did not need or want daily pleadings and reminders. Anyway, we are very thankful for those who were able to donate, small or large. And for those who were too stretched between so many noble and charitable causes, just know your moral support is invaluable to us. Thank you ALL !
Can the safety issues of this aircraft be elevated in state-wide news? We have lost our only local newspaper as many/most small communities have in recent years, and the residents of La Conner and the surrounding communities are being abused constantly by the jets flying their practice flights from Whidbey Island NAS. In an aircraft that has treated us to two crashes in four months? No explanation from the Navy. Two fatalities…it could have been so much worse. But who is listening? I am officially raising my voice as suggested above and will take this issue to our BOD.