Congress will hear Navy jet noise measure

Congress is posed to require the U.S. Navy to measure the real time sound levels of the AE Growlers jets flying at the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, organizers from the Sound Defense Alliance told twenty five people attending a meeting at the Camano Island Library Nov. 16.

Mark Lundsten recounted that Rep. Adam Smith (D., Seattle), chair of the US. House of Representatives Armed Services and his staff have inserted language in this year’s national defense authorization expected to be passed in December.

Lundsten summarized the public health hazard the noise creates, saying new engines on the jets will increase their thrust, the source of the noise, 53%, to 54,000 lbs. from 34,000 lbs.

The meeting started with local resident Peter Reda, a commercial pilot, sharing his encounters with Growler noise at his west coast Camano Island home. Sharon Jones, co-convener of the meeting, told how she measured jets going overhead at 80 decibels using a smartphone app. A vacuum cleaner gives off 65 decibels.

Lundsten and Anne Harvey, fellow organizer, reviewed the work of the 15 month old group. They reported on the two lawsuits filed against the Navy, by the state of Washington and a citizens group. In July state Attorney General Bob Ferguson sued the Navy to have them follow environmental regulations. Citizens of Ebey Reserve filed an independent lawsuit at the same time.

After questions and answers the group was encouraged to fill out postcards to U.S Rep. Rick Larsen, Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, Gov. Jay Inslee, Attorney General Bob Ferguson and state legislators.

The Alliance formed in the summer of 2018, when the Navy was in federally mandated negotiations to mitigate the noise level of additional Growlers about to be deployed at NAS Whidbey Island with a group of state and local governments, tribes, and community and environmental organizations.

In its environmental impact statement, the Navy presented noise level data averaged over the course of a year, skewing the decibel level of specific flights lower.

Lundsten reiterated that the Alliance’s goal is noise reduction and not the closing of the Navy base.

At least one greater La Conner resident, from Fir Island, attended.