Editor,

Last week, Island County Commissioner Jill Johnson attended the Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve workshop examining the health impacts of Growler operations on Oak Harbor residents and, in particular, their children.

After listening to the results of major noise/health studies, Johnson claimed that closing the OLF Coupeville would result in “an even greater health risk” to Whidbey Island: poverty and starvation. She appealed to those in attendance concerned about jet noise to move away for the “greater good.”

Her claim raises questions:

1. Would the Pentagon really close NAS Whidbey if the OLF had to be relocated?

2. Should Growler operations continue to violate NEPA requirements enacted by Congress to protect civilians from harmful military activities?

3. Should county commissioners ignore documented health emergencies to avoid theoretical economic threats?

New numbers make Johnson’s thinking obsolete. Per the Navy, Growlers account for 98 percent of all military aircraft noise in Oak Harbor today.

There are currently 82 Growlers with 12 in reserve. Funding is in place for basing a total of 153 Growlers at Ault Field by 2017. When operations double, residents will find the noise unbearable. Many will finally research the facts, consider their children and flee Oak Harbor.

Johnson’s blind support of “everything Navy” is not in the community’s best interests. A balance is needed. Relying solely upon the base has already weakened Oak Harbor’s economy. Many of its largest businesses have failed, others suffer, and new businesses hesitate.

Instead of working to protect Oak Harbor’s families and economy, she will go back to “her constituents” and fan the flames of conflict as she reports another setting where she has proclaimed her version of “shut up or move.”

Oak Harbor needs a forward thinking representative working to ensure the Navy’s adherence to NEPA instead of ignoring the looming onslaught that will be a health and economic disaster for us all.

Michael Monson

Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve

Editor’s note: There are 82 active Growlers at NAS Whidbey with 12 in reserve. The EIS is examining five options for Growler basing, including no increase, along with 13, 24, 35 and 36 additional aircraft at Whidbey, with a max of 118 total. The defense budget for 2015 fiscal year has funded only 15 additional Growlers.