OK to question Navy expansion plan

We can ask if there is a better path that the Navy can take with its large Growler expansion. (The Growlers are the window rattling planes that fly over La Conner and Dodge Valley).

Two of the ideas being suggested to the Navy by our state as mitigation:

1. Consideration of opportunities to diversify the Navy’s electronic warfare systems to other platforms, as opposed to maintaining the entirety of its systems on the Growler. Utilizing a broader array of platforms would help reduce the long-term impact of Growler operations at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

2. Commitment to reducing engine noise on all future military aircraft designs.

Other mitigations being suggested are voluntary land use acquisition where the dB are over 90, building more schools on Whidbey to accommodate new personnel and acoustic reduction over time.

We support and honor the Navy. My husband served.

Exercising our civic duties to participate in government is important. Recently the Navy put out an environmental impact statement that they invited us to respond to - which is part of the reason why this is in the news now.

Hope to see you at the movie showing at La Conner United Methodist Church Friday at 7 p.m.

Respectfully,

Linda Talman