People concerned about the health effects of military jet noise are looking for someone, anyone who can do something about it.
And in what seems like a game of hot potato, they’re being passed from one agency to the next.
Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve, or COER, sued the U.S. Navy and didn’t win.
This spring, the members tried taking their concerns to the Island County Board of Health — twice. When they got no traction, they visited the Washington State Board of Health earlier this month, bringing written materials and testimony.
So far, the state board hasn’t taken action. The chairperson of the Washington State Board of Health doesn’t believe it’s the right venue. In turn, he recommended the state Department of Ecology.
“The board received the materials last week and we are still reviewing the information, so we do not have a final answer at this time,” chairman Keith Grellner said. “While our initial assessment is that the board does not have specific authority over general noise levels, we do recommend you contact the Department of Ecology to learn more about noise regulation in Washington.”
A spokesman for ecology said, nope, the agency isn’t the right place either.
“Ecology has no role in noise control,” spokesman Larry Altose said. “Also, we don’t have jurisdiction over military facilities or operations.
“In the environmental review process, such as environmental impact statements, noise is evaluated. But, for noise complaints in general, people are advised to contact their local government.”
The run-around is frustrating, said Ken Pickard, COER spokesman. He doesn’t understand why local officials aren’t doing more.
“It’s incredible,” he said. “They are so worried about Navy money that they can’t protect our health. I still can’t believe it.”
COER members plan to return to the next county health board meeting, he said.
“We want them to put up signs whereever there’s toxic noise, warning it’s a hazard to health and advising them to leave the area, wear hearing protection and stay indoors,” Pickard said.
They also want the county to shut down the ballfields adjacent to Outlying Field Coupeville when jets are flying.
Members of COER say the government boards tasked with safeguarding public health have a lawful duty to protect people and the environment from jet noise they say causes a host of health harms.
Some of the officials involved say it’s not that simple.
“The short answer is ‘no,’ ” Island County Public Health Director Keith Higman said. “The county health board can’t tell the Navy to stop flying jets.”
At issue is Naval Air Station Whidbey Island’s EA-18G Growlers, which practice at Outlying Field Coupeville. Navy officials say the airstrip is ideal for preparing pilots to execute touch-and-go landings on an aircraft carrier.
After the lawsuit was filed, the Navy cut back significantly on the number of touch-and-go flights at OLF Coupeville and began communicating with the public about the flight schedule.
They also have a hotline people can call to register complaints about noise; it’s reviewed by the base commander.
Some people living near the airstrip and elsewhere complain the jets — particularly when they’re flying low — saturate homes, recreational areas and businesses with sound so loud it causes health problems and hearing loss.
State law defines the powers and duties of a county health board. In part, county boards are to “provide for the prevention, control and abatement of nuisances detrimental to the public health.” Similar state rules outline the state board of health’s duties. Military aircraft are exempt from regulation.
Jet noise isn’t a typical issue for the county board, which deals with things like infectious disease prevention and septic systems.
That didn’t stop the COER activists, who presented the county board with a list of proposed actions.
Suggestions include posting public places to warn people in noisier locations to wear protective hearing equipment and closing some public parks during flight operations, including Rhododendron Park, Central Whidbey Youth Athletic Field, Admiral’s Cove Beach Club pool and Camp Casey.
They also said the board could request reimbursement from the Navy for all costs associated with public mailings, postings and hearing protection for the public.
The county board could inform the public of health risks associated with noise exposure, Higman said. That’s the extent of the board’s ability to do anything in this situation. He did offer another potential solution: zoning what can be built around the airstrip. But that’s not the duty of the health board.
Island County health officer Dr. Brad Thomas agrees that the board can do little, other than educate the public. At least one member of COER told him he could shut down OLF if he wanted to. No, Thomas said, he can’t.
That doesn’t mean Thomas isn’t sympathetic to people’s complaints about what they say jet noise is doing to their health.
“A lot of people are bothered by it,” he said. “I’ve got to believe people who say they are harmed. In medical school, they said always listen to your patients.”
The relationship between noise exposure and health risk is complicated, he said. There is an obvious connection between loud noise and hearing damage.
“The link between noise exposure and heart disease is less obvious and has steps in between: noise may cause blood pressure, pulse rate, and stress hormones to rise and over time these may increase risk for heart disease,” he said.
Some people are more sensitive to noise than others, he added. Exposure varies. Multiple factors influence disease. Even how people perceive the noise can matter.
“Individuals may respond differently given the same noise exposure,” he said. “This can be noise from any source such as traffic or construction or industry.”
He’s had people approach him to let him know that jet noise hasn’t affected them — they love it. Others tell him “thanks” for speaking up about the issue because it does bother them.
Available studies focuses on the health effects of people who live around commercial airports, Thomas said. They’re exposed to noise at a lower level but for a longer duration, he said. Many people who live around commercial airports, for instance, can’t afford to live elsewhere and may have other risk factors associated with low income.
One thing is certain, he said: “There’s no question as the sound level goes up, so does the community annoyance with it.”
Thomas suggested larger solutions might need to come from lawmakers in Washington, D.C.
At least one lawmaker, Congressman Rick Larsen, is exploring solutions for reducing jet noise, such as the development and implementation of software that could reduce the number of touch-and-go practices needed for EA-18G Growler pilots to qualify for carrier landings.
He also is asking for $2 million to research engine seals — or “chevrons” — which could lead to quieter Growler operations by reducing the harshness of the interaction between exhaust and ambient air.
