Kilmer asks for more time for comments on Growlers

“As you and I have discussed several times before, folks in our neck of the woods are as passionate about protecting the unique soundscape and environment of our region as they are supporting the military and those who serve it,” Kilmer wrote.

“Public lands like the Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest act as our nation’s promise to protect historic cultures and critical habitats of endangered and threatened species,” Kilmer wrote in requesting an extension.

Kilmer suggests that extending the comment period 30 days – from Jan. 25 to Feb. 25 – would “give my constituents and other parties additional time to thoroughly review, understand and provide meaningful responses to the draft EIS.”

He notes that while he is grateful to the Navy for providing more than the minimum amount of time required for public comment, the length of the document, history of concern, holidays and other “outstanding actions” that will impact the environment warrant even more time. The letter did not specify to what actions he was referring.

As of Tuesday morning, Jan. 10, Kilmer had not heard from McGinn, according to a spokesperson.

The U.S. Navy conducted the five open-house meetings to measure public response to the draft EIS.

The Navy maintains that the tests are necessary in order to increase military preparedness. Opponents take issue with that. Local protests have centered on the impact on the environment and the resulting noise.

The Navy is seeking input on three alternatives. All would increase the number of electronic warfare jets and training exercises, and bring Navy personnel and their families to the area. Each alternative includes three scenarios, dividing the tests between two locations on Whidbey Island: Ault Field, north of Oak Harbor, and Outlying Field Coupeville, across Admiralty Inlet from Port Townsend.