Olympic National Park is a sanctuary for residents like me and the many visitors to our region.
Entrepreneurs and locals have worked tirelessly to create a major destination for outdoor exploration and enjoyment.
And now all the hard work to grow our recreation-based economy is at risk.
Recently, the National Forest Service gave preliminary approval to the U.S. Navy to enable even more jet training over our public lands and our communities.
The bottom line is that people want to live, play and work here, but let’s just put the cards on the table: The noise from the afterburners these Navy jets have is unmistakably recognizable all over the North Olympic Peninsula from Port Townsend to Sequim to Forks.
And it’s particularly painful to hear while hiking in pristine areas such as Olympic National Park.
I can’t even imagine how excruciating the high-decibel noise is for other animals with an even keener sense of sound.
Sound expert Gordon Hempton has deemed a part of the Olympics as the quietest square inch of land in the continental United States, an impressive title that would be stripped if the Navy is allowed to go through with its proposals.
There are many other available locations for the U.S. Navy to conduct its flight testing than here.
The quiet and diverse natural soundscapes and national treasures such as Olympic National Park should not be sacrificed when better options exist.
Please join me and urge the Forest Service and Navy to reconsider their proposal.
Bill Volmut,
Sequim