Navy planning to clear alder trees

The Navy is accepting written public comments through 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 Navy is accepting written public comments through 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 proposeal is to cut and leave in place 7.6 acres of alders east of Runway 25, the eastern approach runway at Ault Field, to eliminate visual obstructions for aircraft approaching that runway for landing.

The work 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. If you would like to read the EA please 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 information, contact Mike Welding at michael.welding@navy.mil, or call 360-257-2286.