Environmental issues are a hot topic surrounding Naval Air Station Whidbey Island these days.

Community members who would like to learn the facts and have a voice in restoration projects are invited to consider the NAS Whidbey Island Restoration Advisory Board. The Navy is currently looking for volunteers to join the group.

Interested community members are invited to attend the next advisory board meeting, set for 5-7 p.m., Monday, May 15 in the NAS Whidbey Island Chiefs’ Club Ballroom, located at 1080 W. Ault Field Road, Oak Harbor.

Topics of discussion at the meeting will include the State Petroleum Cleanup Program, Military Munitions Response Program and the Installation Response Program, according to the Navy.

The group will also look at more high-profile issues, such as the Navy’s testing of wells on the island for the presence of a chemical in firefighting foam, which is considered an emerging contaminant.

The Navy is also looking at ways to clean up a plume of toxic chemicals that has moved from a Superfund site to Oak Harbor city limits.

The advisory group’s job is to consider the different environmental issues in the aggregate, according to a Navy spokesman.

The advisory group is a key element of the NAS Whidbey Island environmental program, according to a Navy press release. It is designated to act as a forum for open discussion and exchange of information between the Navy, representatives of government agencies and local community members.

The members attend meetings, review and comment on environmental restoration documents and serve as conduit for the flow of information to and from the community. The members play a vital role in the environmental remediation efforts on NAS Whidbey Island, the Navy reports.

Community members interested in learning more about the restoration program or becoming members of the advisory group are encouraged to attend the May 15 meeting. For more information call Mike Welding at 360-257-2286 or email at michael.welding@navy.mil