PORT TOWNSEND – A representative of the Hood Canal Coalition, an environmental organization that opposes a proposed Fred Hill Materials pit-to-pier project on Hood Canal, now believes he has an ally in the Navy.

A letter from the commanding officer of Naval Base Kitsap outlined several major concerns last week.

“I’m glad that the Navy has recognized some of the same issues that some of the environmental groups, tribes and everyone else has for some time,” said Larry Mayes of the Hood Canal Coalition.

“It’s a very positive and clear message that this is not as Fred Hill Materials has tried to portray it, as a NIMBY (not in my back yard) issue.

“The Navy is a very welcome ally.”

Capt. Reid S. Tanaka signed a letter dated Oct. 3 that included seven environmental, operational and security concerns about Poulsbo-based Fred Hill Materials’ proposal to construct a four-mile conveyor to take sand and gravel from the Shine pit to a new 1,000-foot pier on Hood Canal.

The proposal is now in a “scoping” process for an environmental-impact statement.

An environmental-impact statement is required because Jefferson County’s Department of Community Development, as lead permitting agency, has determined the project could have a significant impact on the environment – and because the statement is required by state law.

Barges would be filled with material and travel under the end portions of the Hood Canal Bridge – a few miles north of the Navy’s Bangor submarine base on the Kitsap side of Hood Canal.

The floating bridge opens midspan to allow the West Coast submarine fleet to pass.

Tanaka’s letter, which was one of about 430 written comments received before Friday’s deadline for public comment, was the Navy’s first public comment on the project.

The letter – which expresses concerns of potential damage to the floating bridge, vessels and piers, environmental damage, and possible interference of barges with Naval security precautions – was also sent to the state’s elected representatives.

U.S. Reps. Norm Dicks, D-Belfair, and Jay Inslee, D-Bainbridge Island – as well as U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell, D-Mountlake Terrace, and Patty Murray, D-Freeland – were copied on the letter.

Greg Leicht, environmental director for Naval Base Kitsap, said he wanted to correct speculation that the elected officials copied on the letter actually drafted it and had Tanaka sign his name.

“This is a Navy-generated document,” Leicht said Tuesday.

He said Navy lawyers, technical personnel and others related to the base’s operations helped draft the letter.