Federal agency hears comment on Navy jet affect on historic properties

WHIDBEY ISLAND — During the past few weeks, Navy Growlers have not been training at Outlying Field on Whidbey Island — and that has been a relief, according to Port Townsend Council member Michelle Sandoval.

Sandoval has been involved in jet noise from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island since 2012.

“When I was mayor, the (EA-6B) Prowlers were in service at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station and they never used OLF [Outlying Field] in Coupeville,” Sandoval said.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

“When the (EA-18B) Growlers came in, they started training at OLF and we got a lot of calls at City Hall. We reached out to the Navy and asked where we should direct our complaints.”

Sandoval said the Navy did not consider Port Townsend to be directly affected by the noise.

“We never had the opportunity to give them input,” she said. “We still don’t.”

“We asked Representative [Derek] Kilmer to come in and get involved,” she said, referring to the U.S. 6th District congressman.

”We held a public meeting and lots of people turned out,” Sandoval said. “However, our viewpoint was never considered because we weren’t in their area of review.”

The same holds true in 2018, according to Sandoval.

On Dec. 19, Sandoval represented Port Townsend during a regional meeting of the federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) in Coupeville on Whidbey Island to discuss local historic treasures affected by the Growlers and the Navy’s plans — which have not been finalized — to add 36 Growlers to operations at Outlying Field (OLF) in Coupeville, which translates into a total of 24,000 takeoffs and landings annually.

Over 400 concerned people from Jefferson, Skagit, Clallam and Island counties were on hand to discuss the impact of the jets on the environment and historic properties in the region.

The Navy abandoned the Section 106 process at the end of November that provides protection to historic properties.

That triggered a review by the ACHP.

The ACHP has a 45-day window to review comments and make recommendations to the Secretary of the Navy prior to the publication of the Navy’s Record of Decision on the Growler jet expansion. However, due to the government shutdown, the countdown of days has been stopped and will resume when the shutdown concludes.

Written comments will be accepted until 2 p.m. Thursday PST (5 p.m. EST). They can be emailed to whidbeyislandcomment@achp.gov, faxed to 202-517-6381 or mailed to Katharine R. Kerr, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, 401 F St., NW, Suite 308, Washington, DC 20001-2637.

Navy negotiations with the ACHP, the Washington State Department of Historic Preservation, government officials on Whidbey Island, stakeholders, and citizen groups under Section 106 of National Historic Preservation Act did not result in an agreement.

“After careful consideration, the Navy determined that further consultation under Section 106 will not be productive,” said the Navy in a news release at the time. “The 106 process is about historic preservation and does not address other possible impacts to the community.”

The Navy has said that Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve will be “significantly impacted from the increased number of jets and flights.” It has not addressed the potential impacts to surrounding areas.

Along with Island County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson, Sandoval said that the boundaries for the “area of potential effects” should extend beyond what is currently defined by the Navy.

She asked that the area of study include the 40 Port Townsend properties that are listed on the National Historic Register.

In analyzing the situation, Sandoval believes there are two issues affecting the Navy’s viewpoint.

“The manner in which they are modeling is theoretical and is not a true measurement of sound,” she said.

She also said that there seems to be a lack of understanding about historic properties and the effects the Growlers have on them.

“The Navy thinks we are in an area not affected by their sound,” Sandoval said. “We have multiple historic districts and designated national historic buildings and they are not responding to our concerns.”

State Historic Preservation Officer Allyson Brooks clarified timelines and details of the recent mitigation talks with the Navy to those gathered at the meeting. She explained that she has worked successfully with other federal agencies to reach agreements on projects that affect historic areas.

“The same law that applies to all the other federal agencies should apply to the Navy,” Brooks said.

________

Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Jeannie McMacken can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jmcmacken@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

A pair of wind surfers take off from the breakwater at Port Townsend Marina in an apparent race across the bay on Tuesday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Catching the wind

A pair of wind surfers take off from the breakwater at Port… Continue reading

Clallam County Economic Development Council Director of Operations Lorie Fazio, left, and Executive Director Colleen McAleer stand with Michael Cade, executive director of Thurston EDC who presented the WEDA’s 2025 Innovation in Economic Development award. The EDC received the award last month in recognition of its Clallam Forest Product Innovation Program.
Clallam EDC wins state innovation award

Forest innovation program intended to revitalize industry

Port Townsend library to show Willa Cather documentary

Free novels, dramatic reading Thursday at 5:30

Jefferson sets short-term rental rules

County establishes 4 percent cap, one rental per operator

When former deputy and pilot John L. Strachan told his wife Jennie that his final wish was for his ashes to be sent into space, she wondered if he was kidding. After all, could such a thing even be done? Turns out, it can — and Jennie is making it happen. (Jennie Strachan)
When former deputy and pilot John L. Strachan told his wife Jennie that his final wish was for his ashes to be sent into space, she wondered if he was kidding. After all, could such a thing even be done? Turns out, it can — and Jennie is making it happen. (Jennie Strachan)
Former deputy’s ashes to be sent into space

Widow of John Strachan to fulfill his dream

Port OKs Citizen Air lease

Company purchasing Rite Bros. Aviation

Rebates offered for e-bikes through April 23

The state Department of Transportation will accept applications for e-bike… Continue reading

Jefferson County Public Health names heroes

Jefferson County Public Health has announced its 2025 Public… Continue reading

Man transported to hospital after log truck goes into ditch

A log truck driver was transported to Forks Community Hospital… Continue reading

Heath Wade, 5, leads the goat parade to open the 37th annual Port Townsend Farmers Market on Saturday in the uptown neighborhood. Behind are goat wranglers Lindsey Kotzebue and Amber Langley of Port Townsend. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Market opens

Heath Wade, 5, leads the goat parade to open the 37th annual… Continue reading

Kelly Kidwell, a local business owner and property developer, is purchasing Rite Bros. with the intention of building a long-term sustainable business that will expand aviation access in the area. Citizen Air, based at William R. Fairchild International Airport, will offer charter flights and fractional aircraft ownership. The possibility of scheduled flights could be in the distant future. Kidwell is shown with his Poodle-Bernese mountain dog, Porter. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Citizen Air aims to expand access

New Rite Bros. owner planning for growth

Health officer: Disease numbers low, but cuts affecting programs

Additional measles case located in Washington state