Editor,

I am submitting this letter to the editor in response to “Training meant to protect, save American lives” press release by Capt. Mike Nortier.

What credentials does Capt. Nortier have concerning environmental issues? Is there a particular area where Nortier is knowledgeable, such as endangered species, migratory birds, pollution or the effects of electromagnetic hazards? When will the U.S. Navy actually complete an independent unbiased Environmental Impact Study (EIS)? To date, they have never completed an EIS.

The Navy has been flying over the Pacific Northwest since 1942. Early flights were propeller aircraft, not Growlers emitting 140-plus decibels. The impact of Growlers is a burden on citizens with constant flights from early morning until as late as 2 a.m. There is interference while attempting to talk on the telephone, watch television, read or just have a conversation at arms length inside our homes. We can’t have sleep necessary for adequate rest to complete our tasks if employed. We can’t make plans for social events without concern the event will be disrupted with Growler training.

Where is the required proof that no other existing area is available for Growler training? Thousands of acres are under control of the Department of Defense in far more suitable areas than Whidbey Island or the Olympic National Forest.

I have attended U.S. Navy Scoping meetings in Oak Harbor, Coupeville, Anacortes, Port Angeles, Lopez Island and Port Townsend. I have confronted Capt. Nortier and Commander Steven Richards at several meetings about Growlers flying low over our home. Nortier and Richards told me Growlers do not fly low over our home, they fly above 500 feet. I have witnessed Growlers flying directly above our home and experienced the impact of the noise with my coffee and leaves on the plants hanging from the skylights shaking. The noise shakes the foundation of our home. A large plate glass window was broken from the impact. Growlers fly at tree level; where is there a tree in Oak Harbor that is 500 feet in height?

We ask Nortier and Richards why the flight path had been changed with Growlers flying directly over our homes instead of over open fields. We took maps and photos to one meeting. Richards told us the planes were not flying over our homes, they were flying to the runway. All we could do was laugh out loud at this outrageous fallacy. When three or four Growlers are flying over your home, you know it isn’t a motorcycle club with over a hundred members, it is loud, earsplitting Growlers using the super highway over your home. We had photos showing Growlers flying over the trees and our home. Richards dismissed this as manipulation of the camera angle; even with the map, he claimed the photos were taken at a different location. Nortier and Richards refused to come to our homes to witness the flight pattern and elevation of flights. They could not make an appointment, as they did not know when Growlers would be flying. Hard to believe the person in charge would not know when Growlers fly.

At the meeting on Lopez Island, citizens were upset the U.S. Navy was deceptive about the hazards of Growlers. Port Angeles and Port Townsend were outraged over the thought of Growlers destroying their livelihood and quality of life. All communities have grave concerns about loud noise, health threats, frequency of flights, toxic pollution and irreversible damage to the ecosystem and wildlife.

It is clear our own U.S. Navy cannot be trusted. They have insulted us, treating us like liars while they continue to escalate harmful training. How can Growlers continue to subject citizens to harm without completing an EIS?

“You don’t set a fox to watching the chickens just because he has a lot of experience in the hen house.” — Harry S. Truman.

Mari Milanoski

Oak Harbor