The U.S. Navy has released its Draft Amended Analysis to the Growler Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), but the Navy’s avenues for further public involvement in the process have drawn criticism from at least one group of local residents.

The Sound Defense Alliance (SDA) — whose mission statement is “to protect communities and the natural environment from harmful Navy Growler jet activity around the Salish Sea, Puget Sound, and Olympic Peninsula” — issued a public statement in response to the EIS.

Noise generated by the EA-18G Growler, which is the Navy’s most advanced electronic warfare aircraft, prompted a study by SDA released in January that it said showed the loud, repetitive low-altitude aircraft impacts communities, including Port Townsend.   

The Sound Defense Alliance (SDA) deemed it “an unusual move” for the Navy to send the Draft Amended Analysis to a list that excluded the Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve’s (COER) attorneys. The alliance also extended its thanks to Coupeville Mayor Molly Hughes for sharing the information.

The SDA’s statement also took issue with the Navy scheduling just two in-person public meetings on the matter, in Oak Harbor and Coupeville.

“They have allotted an extremely short period of only 18 days to review the document before the first public meeting, and the deadline to submit advance questions for the one virtual meeting,” which was set for Friday, March 21.

SDA representative Michael Monson told The Leader that the group is calling for the Navy to extend its comment period by one month, to May 28, and to add public meetings in Port Townsend and Lopez Island.

“This is the draft version of the EIS that the Navy was forced to redo,” Monson wrote to The Leader. “Even though Port Townsend is greatly affected by Growler noise, you’re not on the meeting list. PT was on the meeting list for the EIS last time. This is not right.”

A paper copy of the Draft Amended Analysis may be reviewed at 22 public libraries in the northern Puget Sound region, including the Port Townsend Public Library at 1220 Lawrence St. and the Jefferson County Library at 620 Cedar Ave. in Port Hadlock.

An online version of the Navy’s Draft Amended Analysis to the Growler EIS is available at: www.nepa.navy.mil/Current-Projects/Aircraft-Home-Basing-Ship-Homeporting/Growler-Amended-Analysis.

The Navy prepared the Draft Amended Analysis to the 2018 Final Environmental Impact Statement and 2019 Record of Decision for EA-18G Growler Airfield Operations at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the orders of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.

The Navy’s two in-person public meetings will be held:

• Tuesday, April 1, from 4-6 p.m. at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge, at 155 NE Ernst St. in Oak Harbor.

• Wednesday, April 2, 2025, from 4-6 p.m. at the Whidbey Island Nordic Lodge Hall, at 63 Jacobs Road in Coupeville.

A third virtual meeting is set for Thursday, April 3, from 7-8:00 p.m. at a Zoom link listed on the Navy’s website. Advance questions were due March  21.

During the public comment period for the Draft Amended Analysis, which runs through April 28, members of the public will have an opportunity to submit comments, which will become part of the public record and be addressed in the Final Amended Analysis, which in turn will be released to the public upon its completion.

All further comments must be submitted electronically or postmarked on or before 11:59 p.m. on April 28, to be considered in the Final Amended Analysis.

When The Leader contacted the Navy to inquire about how the meetings were chosen, the reply came from Ted Brown, installations and environmental public affairs officer for the U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

“The Navy’s decision to host two in-person open house meetings and one virtual meeting allows for meaningful involvement of the public in the Navy’s decision-making, consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act, by providing sufficient opportunities to learn about the Draft Amended Analysis, ask questions of our subject matter experts, and submit comments,” Brown wrote via email. “The Navy added a virtual meeting option to allow members of the public outside the immediate area an easier opportunity to participate in the NEPA process.”

Brown added, “The Navy has determined that hosting two in-person open house meetings in the areas most affected by the Proposed Action, along with a virtual meeting available to the public, wherever located, is appropriately tailored to the limited scope of the Draft Amended Analysis.”