Editor,
It’s now been 15 months since the Navy received an Adverse Effect determination by the state Historic Preservation Officer on the cement bock wall installed at Outlying Field Coupeville.
The Navy was informed of this Adverse Effect ruling Dec. 20, 2013.
In Ms. Brooks’ letter from that time, she contends “the visual impacts to the historic Ebey’s landscape will alter the characteristics that make the area nationally significant.”
According to Ms. Brooks, “The National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agency consultation with the state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, the tribes, other consulting parties and the public. It is the responsibility of the federal agency that has received the Adverse Effect to ensure that consultation occurs with the public.”
In summary, it’s up to the Navy to set the timeline, invite consulting parties and draft a Memorandum of Agreement to resolve the Adverse Effect.
We are all still waiting after 15 months.
In late 2014, the Navy invited several organizations as consulting parties as required. Organizations invited included the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve Board, Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve, or COER, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation in Washington, D.C.
Kendall Campbell, representing the Navy in this mitigation process, stated when queried about the long delay in the process that, “she has just been too busy.”
The 2013 surprise installation of the cement-block-and-steel-cable wall around OLF, and the Navy’s less-than-timely response to state and local concerns, needs to be taken seriously and addressed as soon as possible by our military neighbors to the north.
As a member of one of the consulting party organizations, COER members take our commitment to providing information to the public and the interests of more than 3,000 local supporters very seriously.
A National Historic Reserve, historic structures and a cultural landscape are at risk, as evidenced by the Adverse Effect ruling from one of our state’s offices.
We urge the Navy to stop dragging its feet and schedule a meeting date before more months or another year slips away. It’s the right thing to do.
Maryon Attwood
Coupeville
