U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced today that the Navy would hold a public meeting in Friday Harbor to listen to citizens’ comments about EA-18G Growler operations at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI).

The Navy is currently performing an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) on the effects of a potential increase in the number of Growlers operating at NASWI.  The EIS will incorporate 5 different scenarios, ranging from 82 planes to a maximum of 118.  The Navy had previously scheduled public meetings for 10/28-10/30 in Coupeville, Oak Harbor, and Anacortes for people to share their views with Navy leadership.

“During a recent public meeting on Lopez Island, I listened to my constituents who had concerns about noise and increasing the number of Growlers at NASWI. I asked the Navy to address the jet noise concerns from the San Juans and am pleased that they responded and are taking seriously outreach to the Islands,” said Rep. Larsen. “I remain committed to ensuring that NASWI remains a premier Navy asset and I am working to find solutions to reduce the impact of noise on local communities,” Larsen concluded.

Larsen recently attended a meeting on Lopez Island to address community concerns about jet noise from flights out of NASWI. During this meeting he laid out his ideas about how to reduce the impact of jet noise going forward. This plan includes finding funding for an acoustic hangar to reduce noise impact on Lopez Island, research into technology to reduce engine noise, software that might safely reduce the required number of training flights, and asking the Navy to do monitoring on the San Juans as part of an environmental impact study for the EA-18G Growler.

The Navy has also added an additional public meeting in Port Townsend.  Date, time, and location for these two meetings have not yet been announced.  For additional information, please visit https://www.whidbeyeis.com/

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