Editor,
The Navy’s plan to dramatically increase Growler flight operations will significantly affect people, businesses and the environment in our region. Coupeville Community Allies — CCA — is a group of Central Whidbey residents who are committed to providing accurate information to our community regarding the Growler increase and Draft Environmental Impact Statement — DEIS — for this action.
Coupeville and the Central Whidbey community will be especially affected by the Field Carrier Landing Practice — FCLP— operations at OLF Coupeville, which are projected to increase as much as six-fold. That’s an average of 135 FCLP operations per day, 5 days per week, every week of the year.
CCA and others have spent many hours analyzing the 1,500-page DEIS. There are many concerns raised by the DEIS, questionable conclusions and issues that are not addressed adequately, or not at all. We encourage every person, business and organization in the region that may be affected by the increase in Growler flights to submit comments relating to the DEIS.
DEIS comments are due by Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. If you want to comment on the final EIS, you must have commented on the draft EIS. You may make comments online at www.whidbeyeis.com/Comment.aspx, or by mail to: Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, 6506 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23508, Attn: Code EV21/SS.
CCA is hosting a drop-in Community Impact Forum on the DEIS for Growler expansion on Monday, Feb. 6, at the Coupeville Recreation Hall, 401 Alexander St., from 4-7 p.m. Stop by any time to:
• Learn about the impacts that the Growler expansion is expected to have on the Coupeville area community.
• Receive help in submitting your comments on the DEIS.
• Learn about what you can do to address your concerns
Learn more by going to our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/whidbeyeis.
To receive updates email us at coupevillecommunityallies@gmail.com
Coupeville Community Allies
Kelly Keilwitz
Linda Bartlett
David Day
Anne Harvey
Chris Hurley
Jan Pickard
Valerie Reuther
Lori Taylor
Constance Wolfe
