The Navy says it is revising its Environmental Impact Statement on the EA-18G Growlers to include up to 36 additional aircraft based at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.
Public meetings to gather public comment will be held in late October.
The additional scoping period, which is Oct. 10 through Nov. 24, will push the completion of the draft EIS to spring 2016 with a published decision planned for spring 2017.
A draft EIS was originally slated to be released next year with a 2016 decision.
The Navy announced in July plans to consider larger Growler squadrons including scenarios that would increase the five-aircraft carrier Electronic Attack Squadrons to seven or eight. The EIS is looking at Growler operations at both Ault Field at NAS Whidbey and Outlying Field Coupeville.
Aside from the “no action” option, the four other alternatives would increase the Navy’s total number of Growlers by anywhere from 13 to 36.
The Navy requested funding for 22 additional Growlers earlier this year. That request was placed on hold pending the results of the EIS.
“While it is unclear whether more Growlers will ultimately be procured, the Navy is electing to analyze the potential for these aircraft in order to be proactive and transparent,” according to a Navy Fleet Forces Command press release.
Ted Brown, the Navy’s Installations and Environmental public affairs officer, said that the Navy is simply ensuring that the environmental impact of the additional Growlers, if approved, is considered.
“No decisions have been made but that is one of the alternatives,” Brown said. “Much of this depends on how many, if any, are funded by Congress.
“But it makes sense for us to analyze the impacts of those options.”
During a recent interview with the Whidbey News-Times, Congressman Rick Larsen said that, while the Navy will likely be approved for additional Growlers, “the number is going to be somewhere between zero and 22.”
It was unlikely that all 22 would be approved, Larsen said.
In addition to the new squadron alternatives, the Navy also included a section in the presentation documents on the Navy’s requirement to consider its effect on historic properties under Section 106.
OLF Coupeville, where many of the Growler pilot touch-and-go training takes place, lies within the borders of Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve.
A state agency determined earlier this year that more than 1,000 cement blocks placed around OLF had no adverse affect, but then reversed its decision following public outcry. Since that time the Navy has worked closely with the state’s historic preservation officer to mitigate concerns within the reserve.
Kendall Campbell, archaeologist and cultural resources program manager for NAS Whidbey Island, said that a Section 106 requirement has always been part of this EIS under cultural considerations of the study.
Campbell said, however, that community concerns about the cement blocks at OLF, along with other public feedback, compelled the Navy to highlight this part of the process for the public.
Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve sued the Navy earlier this year demanding that an EIS be completed.
“One of the things that is the most disturbing things to us is again the absolute disregard of the Navy for the enormity of the impact and their disregard of Camano, Port Townsend, the San Juans,” said the group’s president Michael Monson.
Public hearings on the Navy’s revised EIS are 4-8 p.m. at the following locations: Tuesday, Oct. 28, Coupeville High School, 501 S. Main St; Wednesday, Oct. 29, Oak Harbor Elks Lodge, 155 N.E. Ernst St.; Thursday, Oct. 30, Anacortes High School Cafeteria, 1600 20th St.
More information can be found at www.whidbeyeis.com
