Author Topic: Washington state sues Navy over expanded operations on Whidbey Island  (Read 161 times)

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Offline Elderberry

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Navy Times 7/9/2019

Washington state sued the Navy on Tuesday over its expansion of jet operations on an island north of Seattle, saying officials failed to adequately consider the effect that additional noisy flights would have on people or wildlife.

"The Navy has an important job, and it's critical that their pilots and crews have the opportunity to train," Attorney General Bob Ferguson said in a news release announcing the lawsuit. "That does not relieve the federal government of its obligation to follow the law and avoid unnecessary harm to our health and natural resources."

The Navy's public affairs office said it does not comment on litigation.

The Navy in March authorized the expansion of its Growler program by up to three dozen jets, adding to the 82 already based on Whidbey Island, north of Seattle.

The low-flying jets conduct electronic warfare to jam enemy communications and launch systems, and under the expansion plans crews would perform around 100,000 takeoffs and landings a year for the next three decades.

More: https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2019/07/09/washington-state-sues-navy-over-expanded-operations-on-whidbey-island/