Navy nixes increased nuisance noise monitoring

WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. — The Navy’s top administrator has rejected calls for additional noise monitoring of low-flying jet training over a Washington state island.

The Seattle Times reported Tuesday that Navy Secretary Richard Spencer refuses to increase monitoring of Growler EA-18G jets flying over the Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve on Whidbey Island.

Spencer's response to the federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation says noise impact assessments have already been conducted on the island about 34 miles (55 km) north of Seattle.

Flying blind and freezing: Navy investigating terrifying EA-18G Growler flight

By the time the flight was over, two elite pilots with Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine were being rushed for medical treatment, and the Navy was dealing with yet another failure of the EA-18G Growler’s environmental control system.

David B. Larter

February 22, 2018

The National Historic Preservation Act requires consultation with local and state groups about the 17,000-acre Ebey’s Landing area, but the Navy is not required to reach an agreement.

The Navy terminated talks with groups in December about easing the impacts of expanded Growler training at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.