EA-18G EIS Project Manager

EA-18G EIS Project Manager

EA-18G EIS Project Manager

DATE

Page 1

Reply to: Seattle Office

FEBRUARY 23, 2017

EA-18G EIS Project Manager

Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC)

Atlantic – Attn: Code EV21/SS

6506 Hampton Blvd.

Norfolk, VA 23508

Re:Comments on Draft Environmental Impact Statement for EA-18G Growler Airfield Operations at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Complex

Dear Project Manager:

The attached comments letters and documents are being submitted as comments for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for EA-18G Growler Airfield Operations a Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Complex published on November 10, 2016. The comments are submitted on behalf of the Citizens of the Ebey’s Reserve (“COER”) and the individuals listed in the attached document. The attached comments on the DEIS represent the culmination of past and current outreach and research efforts by the COER Board of Directors, COER’s many diverse supporters and contributors, and its four contracted experts in acoustics and environmental health. We further recognize the thousands of individuals who contributed valued volunteered time and funds in support of the Northwest Pacific Coast Alliance, which is composed of seven individual organizations committed to resolving the noise and associated environmental health impacts associated with EA-18G Growlers in the northern Puget Sound area. Each of the seven organizations represent a discrete portion of Puget Sound, but we have joined together in solidarity and support of each other’s comments, as so stated in the attached resolution of the Northwest Pacific Coast Alliance.

Please find attached the following documents:

  • Comment Letter prepared by David Bricklin and Jacob Brooks
  • Comment Letter with addendums prepared by Robert Wilbur and Citizens of the Ebey’s Reserve’s Board of Directors
  • Dahlgren Report with appendices
  • Fidell Report with appendices
  • “Invisible Costs: The $122 Million Price Tag for the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island,” prepared by Michael Shuman
  • “Outlying Field Coupeville: Its Time Has Passed,” prepared by Robert Wilbur, Maryon Atwood, Neal Sims, and Mark Harmon
  • JGL Acoustics Reports prepared by Jerry Lilly
  • Project noise impacts prepared by Paul Schomer
  • National Parks Service Acoustical Monitoring Report for Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve
  • 2005 AICUZ Study Update for Naval Air Station Whidbey Island’s Ault Field and Outlying Landing Field Coupeville, Washington
  • 2005 Environmental Assessment for Replacement of EA-6B Aircraft with EA-18G Aircraft at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
  • 2012 Environmental Assessment for the Expeditionary Transition of EA-6B Prowler Squadrons to EA-18G Growler at NAS Whidbey Island
  • Wyle Report (2004)
  • Wyle Report (2012)

Thank you for your consideration of these comments. The Citizens of the Ebey’s Reserve and the individual commenters look forward to further participating in the Navy’s NEPA process.

Very truly yours,

BRICKLIN & NEWMAN, LLP

David A. Bricklin

Jacob Brooks

DAB:JB:psc