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Island County Board of Commissioners P.O. Box 5000 Coupeville. Washington 98239-5000

January 6, 2015

Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic Attn: EA-18G Growler EIS Project Manger 6506 Hampton Boulevard Norfolk VA 23508 Code EV21/22

Dear Project Manager,

Phone; From Camano: From S. Whidbey: Fax

(360) 679-7354 (360) 629-4522 (360)321-5111 (360) 679-7381

www.islandcounty.net

MUWllll on

I appreciate the opportunity to submit the following comments and ask they be included in the scoping of the Environmental Impact Study (EIS). The Central Whidbey community falls within my district in Island County, and as their representative, my comments will focus on that geographic area.

Island County is a mostly rural county made up entirely of islands. We are a popular tourist destination and are proud to have an expanding small farm industry. Many come to experience our open spaces, rural character and beautiful shoreline views. It is often noted that the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NAS-WI) located in the urban area of Oak Harbor is a significant presence in our county. As federal decisions are made which expand or contract the activity at NAS-WI it impacts our island communities dramatically. For this reason it is important to recognize the need to strengthen diversified Industries to help stabilize our local economy and job market. Tourism and agriculture are industries particularly important in the Central Whidbey area around the Out-lying Field (OLF). The economic impacts of Growler flights at OLF must be measured and understood at current conditions before additional flights are authorized at that location.

The OLF lies in Ebey's Landing Historic Reserve, an area with a unique heritage and recognized for its national significance. The National Park Service, the State of Washington and the local community have all made substantial investments in the preservation of this cultural landscape. The EIS must document impacts of the Growler activity to the agricultural, recreational, and historic resources in the State Parks and Ebey's Landing National Historic Reserve, an area of enviromnental, cultural, and historical significance and an important wildlife and migratory bird habitat.

The safety of the pilots during training is vital, ar.d so is the safety and health of community members living near the OLF. The potential negative health effects of low level EA-18 Growler aircraft during "touch and go" operations (rather than in higher altitude flight) must be established to protect public health in our community. Real time acoustic measurements more accurately reflect the safety hazards inherent to the OLF training activity for humans without adequate hearing protection. Such a review should include potential sleep disruption, hearing damage, blood pressure and cardiac problems; review any added susceptibility for the medically fragile, senior citizens and children. Also include any potential harm to natural resources of water, air, soil and wildlife.

The scope of the EIS should not be fragmented, but should include all EA-18G and EA-68 operations at NAS-WI to determine how they impact the local communities and environment cumulatively. The Navy is obliged to provide our island communities a full disclosure of the impacts of increased flight activity, sonar testing and electro-magnetic training in our region to best inform any decisions concerning balancing the uses of the two Whidbey fields and surrounding areas.

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The transition from Prowlers to Growlers at OLF has already created significant impacts to the local community. Mitigation is needed.

Modifications to the aircraft should be developed to reduce the increased reverberation and noise created by the Growlers.

Restrict weekly OLF use from Friday-Sunday to allow local residents, farmers and visitors three days per week to schedule outdoor and indoor activities with certainty.

Flight schedules at OLF should return to the historic patterns used with the Prowlers. The number of planes in a pattern should be limited to prevent "push out" over areas outside of the normal range. Also FCLP patterns should alternate to provide relief to neighborhoods on contiguous days of training.

Develop written training infor1nation for continuity during squadron transition with changes of command. This would minimize the fluctuations in conditions for the community with each transition to new leadership.

Work with local jurisdictions to advise revisions to land use zoning, building code requirements and disclosure rules to reflect the new, higher levels of noise and reverberation; provide resources to retrofit existing structures or purchase of property /compensation for residents impacted significantly by Growler flight operations.

Proper training is crucial for Navy pilots to appropriately prepare for deployment to aircraft carrier duty. Proper protection for the local community is equally crucial. I appreciate any efforts by the NAS-W! leadership to work with local officials to mitigate these conditions.

! welcome the opportunity to assist in implementing the mitigation strategies and land use changes identified to address the training requirements of the Navy while appropriately protecting the local community.

Thank you for considering my comments.

Sincerely,

Helen Price Johnson Island County Commissioner, District 1

Cc: Hon. Jill Johnson, Hon. Rick Hannold, Sen. Patty Murray, Sen. Maria Cantwell, Rep. Rick Larson, Capt. Nortier, Laura Meders