The Navy is accepting written public comments through Wednesday, May 13, on an Environmental Assessment project to clear 7.6 acres of alder trees on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island’s Ault Field that are becoming hazardous for aircraft landing on one of the base’s runways.

The proposed plan is to cut down and leave in place 7.6 acres of alders located east of Runway 25, the eastern approach runway at Ault Field, to eliminate visual obstructions for aircraft approaching that runway for landing.

The proposed action is planned to occur between September and December 2016.

Future vegetation clearing at the 9.5-acre site would occur in perpetuity to prevent re-growth of visual obstructions to runway operations.

All written comments must be received by May 13 to be considered by the Navy as it prepares the Final EA.

To read the EA, go the NAVFAC Northwest public website at http://go.usa.gov/tAr4.

Comments may be sent by email to NWNEPA@navy.mil or by U.S. Mail to NAS Whidbey Island Tree Cutting EA Team, NAVFAC Northwest, 1101 Tautog Circle, Room 203, Silverdale, WA 98315.

For more information, contact Mike Welding at michael.welding@navy.mil, or call 360-257-2286.