Submitted by the office of Rick Larsen

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen last week announced that the Navy will hold a public meeting on Dec. 3 on Lopez Island to listen to citizens’ comments about EA-18G Growler operations at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

This announcement about a date and time for the meeting follows Larsen’s previous announcement about the Navy’s decision to hold an additional public meeting. The Navy had indicated it likely would hold the meeting on Friday Harbor, but selected Lopez Island instead. The meeting is Wednesday, Dec. 3, 3–6 p.m. at the Lopez Center for Community and the Arts.

The Navy is currently performing an environmental impact study on the effects of a potential increase in the number of Growlers operating at the Whidbey Island naval base. The EIS will incorporate five different scenarios, ranging from 82 planes to a maximum of 118. The Navy held public meetings the last week of October in Coupeville, Oak Harbor and Anacortes for people to share their views with Navy leadership.

The public comment period for the EIS has been extended, and will remain open through Jan. 9.

“I recently heard from residents on Lopez Island about their concerns regarding jet noise and the number of Growlers stationed at NASWI,” Larsen said in a press release. “I asked the Navy to include the San Juan Islands in the EIS process, and I appreciate the Navy expanding its outreach to include this community.

I remain committed to making sure NASWI remains a premier Navy asset, as well as to finding solutions to reduce the noise impacts on local communities.”

The Navy has also added an additional public meeting in Port Townsend. For additional info, visit www.whidbeyeis.com.