PROPOSED ACTION
BACKGROUND
Commissioned in 1942 as part of Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island, Ault Field is the only naval air station in the Pacific Northwest. It has supported naval aviation for more than 70 years and served as the primary home base location for the Navy’s Electronic Warfare community for more than 45 years. Ault Field and the Seaplane Base were identified as ideal locations for rearming and refueling Navy patrol planes and other tactical aircraft operating in defense of Puget Sound during World War II; Outlying Landing Field (OLF) Coupeville became operational in 1943 to support practice approaches/landings and emergency landings. Over a period of more than 40 years, Ault Field has evolved into the Navy’s home for its electronic attack aircraft. OLF Coupeville, an integral part of operations at Ault Field, provides the most realistic training for field carrier landing practice (FCLP), as well as training for search-and-rescue and parachute operations. The Navy has continuously used OLF Coupeville for FCLP since the late 1960s.
Ault Field is the home base location of the Navy’s entire tactical Electronic Attack community in the U.S., including all Growler squadrons, and provides facilities and support services for nine carrier squadrons, three expeditionary squadrons, one expeditionary reserve squadron, one training squadron, and an electronic attack weapons school. The carrier and expeditionary squadrons have similar missions but differ in where they deploy and how they train before deployment.
Three types of Growler squadrons support the Airborne Electronic Attack mission for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD):
- carrier squadrons deploy on aircraft carriers and conduct periodic FCLP to requalify to land on aircraft carriers
- expeditionary squadrons, including the reserve squadron, deploy to overseas land-based locations and therefore do not normally require periodic FCLP prior to deployment
- the training squadron, which is also known as the Fleet Replacement Squadron, or FRS, is the training squadron responsible for “post-graduate” training of newly designated Navy pilots and Naval Flight Officers, those returning to flight after non-flying assignments, or those transitioning to new aircraft for duty in the Fleet. The training squadron is the “schoolhouse” where pilots receive their initial FCLP, and it fosters professional standardization and a sense of community.
Electronic warfare has played a key role in combat operations since first being introduced during World War II, and its importance continues to grow as potential adversaries invest in modern threat systems. The mission of the Navy’s Growler aircraft is to suppress enemy air defenses and communications systems. Additionally, Navy Growlers disrupt land-based threats in order to protect the lives of U.S. ground forces. The Secretary of Defense directed that the tactical Airborne Electronic Attack mission is the exclusive responsibility of the Navy. As a result, the Navy is the only U.S. military service to maintain a tactical airborne electronic attack capability and is required to preserve and cultivate the expertise and knowledge of the Growler community.
In June 2013, the U.S. DoD Appropriations Act of 2014 added additional Growler aircraft and the necessary funding to augment the Growler community. Therefore, on September 5, 2013, the Navy announced the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential environmental effects associated with the potential introduction of two additional Growler expeditionary squadrons (13 aircraft).
In spring 2014, the Navy assessed that it would need additional Growlers in order to address current and future threats, and submitted a request to Congress to purchase additional Growlers. At that time, it was unclear whether Congress would authorize the purchase of additional Growlers. Nonetheless, since there was a possibility that additional Growler aircraft could be purchased in the future, the Navy elected to revise the scope for the EIS effort in order to be transparent with the public as to future possibilities. The revised scope for the EIS was announced in October 2014. Subsequently, Congress authorized the purchase of additional Growler aircraft in 2015 and 2016.
Please go to the EIS Documents tab page to download a copy of the Final EIS.
PROPOSED ACTION
The U.S. Department of the Navy (Navy) proposes to:
- continue and expand existing EA-18G Growler operations at the NAS Whidbey Island complex, which includes FCLP by Growler aircraft that occurs at Ault Field and OLF Coupeville
- increase electronic attack capabilities by adding 35 or 36 aircraft to support an expanded DoD mission for identifying, tracking, and targeting in a complex electronic warfare environment
- construct and renovate facilities at Ault Field to accommodate additional Growler aircraft
- station additional personnel and their family members at the NAS Whidbey Island complex and in the surrounding community.
The EIS evaluates the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts of the Proposed Action under three action alternatives (summarized below). After completion of the EIS process and issuance of a Record of Decision (ROD), construction of new and improved facilities could begin as early as 2018. Personnel and aircraft would arrive incrementally, as aircraft are delivered by the manufacturer, personnel are trained, and families relocate to the area, until the action is complete.
ALTERNATIVES
The EIS analyzes the impacts of multiple alternatives for operating the Growler aircraft inventory out of the NAS Whidbey Island complex. The alternatives include variations of the following factors:
1. Number of aircraft assigned per squadron
2. Number of expeditionary squadrons
3. Number of personnel
4. Distribution of aircraft operations at Ault Field and OLF Coupeville
OPERATIONAL SCENARIOS
The EIS evaluates five operational scenarios for each of the three action alternatives, resulting in a total of 15 alternatives analyzed. The operational scenarios are based on the distribution of FCLP operations between Ault Field and OLF Coupeville:
- Scenario A – 20 percent of all FCLPs conducted at Ault Field and 80 percent of all FCLPs conducted at OLF Coupeville
- Scenario B – 50 percent of all FCLPs conducted at Ault Field and 50 percent of all FCLPs conducted at OLF Coupeville
- Scenario C – 80 percent of all FCLPs conducted at Ault Field and 20 percent of all FCLPs conducted at OLF Coupeville
- Scenario D – 30 percent of all FCLPs conducted at Ault Field and 70 percent of all FCLPs conducted at OLF Coupeville
- Scenario E – 70 percent of all FCLPs conducted at Ault Field and 30 percent of all FCLPs conducted at OLF Coupeville
In developing the range of alternatives, the Navy carefully reviewed important considerations unique to the Growler community and Navy aviation training in addition to considering public comments received during scoping. These considerations include the fact that all of the Navy’s Electronic Attack mission and training facilities are located at the NAS Whidbey Island complex, including substantial infrastructure and training ranges that have been developed in over 40 years of operation; the location of suitable airfields that provide for the most realistic training environment; distance aircraft would have to travel to accomplish training; and the expense of duplicating existing capabilities elsewhere. Alternatives presented earlier in the scoping process analyzing fewer additional aircraft than 35 were not carried forward because Congress has authorized the purchase of more aircraft than were reflected in those earlier alternatives. Growler operations will increase under all alternatives analyzed in this EIS. This increase will result in a total number of annual operations at the NAS Whidbey Island complex that is similar to the number of operations seen in the mid-1990s.
NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations (40 Code of Federal Regulations 1502.14[d]) require an EIS to evaluate the No Action Alternative. The No Action Alternative provides a benchmark that typically enables decision makers to compare the magnitude of potential environmental effects of the proposed alternatives with conditions in the affected environment.
Under the No Action Alternative, the Proposed Action would not occur; this means the Navy would not operate additional Growler aircraft and would not add additional personnel at Ault Field, and no construction associated with the Proposed Action would occur. The No Action Alternative would not meet the purpose of or need for the Proposed Action; however, the conditions associated with the No Action Alternative serve as reference points for describing and quantifying the potential impacts associated with the proposed alternatives. For this EIS, the Navy analyzes 2021 as the representative year for the No Action Alternative because it represents conditions when events at Ault Field for aircraft loading, facility and infrastructure assets, personnel levels, and number of aircraft unrelated to the Growler Proposed Action are expected to be fully implemented and complete. This would provide a more accurate representation of baseline conditions that will exist at NAS Whidbey Island while this Proposed Action is implemented. Therefore, with these other actions complete, the analysis isolates the impacts of this Proposed Action of adding additional Growler aircraft and personnel and associated construction. Conditions that are evaluated as implemented and fully complete prior to 2021 include the following:
- the P-3C Orion/EP-3 aircraft will be retired from the Navy in 2021
- six P-8A Poseidon squadrons will be home-based at Ault Field by 2020
- projected volumes of transient and other aircraft utilizing Ault Field in 2021 are based on current and historical volumes of these aircraft.
PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE
Alternative 2A was announced as the Navy’s preferred alternative on June 25, 2018, shortly after it was known. The announcement was made to provide the public the most updated information on the Navy’s current position with respect to the proposed action.
Alternative 2A would establish two new expeditionary squadrons and add two aircraft to each squadron that operates off aircraft carriers (CVN). This alternative would add 36 aircraft home-based at NAS Whidbey Island, increase the airfield operations at both Ault Field and Outlying Landing Field (OLF) Coupeville, and change the distribution of FCLP between the two airfields. This preferred alternative would provide the best, most realistic training for Navy pilots and take into consideration the noise impacts to all surrounding communities including San Juan Islands, Anacortes, and Oak Harbor that have higher populations.
Ault Field would support 88,000 total airfield operations, which represents an increase of 9,800 annual operations over current conditions. OLF Coupeville would support 24,100 annual operations, which represents an increase of 17,590 operations per year. While there would be an increase in operations at both airfields under this alternative, Ault Field would still support four times the number of total aircraft operations when compared to OLF Coupeville. An airfield operation is defined as either a takeoff or landing; therefore, an FCLP pass counts as two operations. For context, in recent years OLF Coupeville has been used about 90 hours per year or about one percent of the time. The Navy is proposing an increase in operations at OLF Coupeville to about 360 hours per year or about four percent of the time.
The preferred alternative would place the majority of FCLP operations at OLF Coupeville because OLF Coupeville provides more realistic training for Navy aviators. OLF Coupeville has been continuously used for FCLP since the late 1960s. OLF Coupeville’s pattern best replicates the CVN pattern, building and reinforcing the correct habit patterns and muscle memory. OLF Coupeville sits on a 200-foot ridge surrounded by flat terrain, similar to the aircraft carrier operating on the water. The low cultural lighting around Coupeville and the ability to completely darken the field also closely resembles at-sea conditions from the pilots’ perspective.
No final decision has been made. The Navy thoroughly analyzed fifteen options with respect to force structure and FCLP distribution. The final decision will be made by the Secretary of the Navy (or his designee) and announced in a Record of Decision no earlier than 30 days after the release of the Final EIS. The Navy released the Final EIS to the public on September 28, 2018.
After a Record of Decision is announced, the Navy will update the 2005 AICUZ based on the Final EIS analysis and provide official recommendations for land use.
SECTION 106
Termination
On November 30, 2018 the Navy announced its decision to Terminate Section 106 Consultation for Increased Growler Operations at NAS Whidbey Island
After being unable to reach agreement through extensive, in-depth consultations, the Navy has decided to terminate consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) regarding a planned increased EA-18G Growler operations at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island. Termination of consultation is an option provided to the Federal agency under the Section 106 process, when the agency and consulting parties are unable to reach agreement on how to resolve adverse effects.
The Navy remains committed to resolving the undertaking’s adverse effects to historic properties. The Navy will continue discussions with community leaders regarding other potential mitigations that should be addressed outside of the NHPA Section 106 process. The Navy has a long collaborative relationship with the local community on mutual concerns, and looks forward to continuing that relationship.
The Navy has identified the following reasons for its decision to seek termination at this time.
- Negotiations have reached an impasse due to disagreement on the type and amount of mitigation appropriate to resolve adverse effects
- Operational requirements dictate that the Navy make a decision on the undertaking
Press release for the Navy’s Decision to Navy’s Decision to Terminate the Section 106 Consultation for Increased Growler Operations at NAS Whidbey Island
Notice of Termination of Consultation for EA-18G Growler Airfield Operations at the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Complex, Washington (full document)
Draft Memorandum of Agreement
On October 19, 2018, the Navy announced the Draft Memorandum of Agreement for EA-18G Growler Operations Increase at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island is Open for Public Comment.
Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island is inviting the public to review and comment on the current draft National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to resolve adverse effects to historic properties resulting from increased Growler operations at NAS Whidbey Island and Outlying Landing Field Coupeville.
The draft MOA was developed in consultation with the Washington State Historic Preservation Officer, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and with local municipal and interested parties. The draft MOA is available for public review at the following website page:
https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrnw/installations/nas_whidbey_island/om/environmental_support/section-106-national-historic-preservation-act.html.
Comments will be accepted until the National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 process is complete, but are preferred before November 2, 2018. Comments may be submitted in writing to: Commanding Officer, NAS Whidbey Island, Attn: NASWI CR PM, 3730 North Charles Porter Ave, Oak Harbor, WA 98278-5000, or sent via email to: NAVFACNWCR@navy.mil. All comments will be considered. To ensure that your comment is routed properly, please include “Growler 106 MOA Comment” in the subject line
All personally identifiable information of individuals who provide comments will be kept confidential and will not be released, unless otherwise specifically indicated by the commenter or as required by law.
The Navy’s responsibility under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) is to consider the effects of its actions on properties listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, to allow the public to express their views on how to resolve adverse effects, and to develop measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate any adverse effects.
In 2014, as part of its plan to comply with the NHPA, the Navy began the process of analyzing a proposed increase in airfield operations at Ault Field and Outlying Field Coupeville. Since then, the Navy has consulted with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the Washington State Historic Preservation Officer, the National Park Service, Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, and local government agencies on the effects to eligible historic properties of the proposed increase in operations. This process resulted in a determination that certain characteristics of the Central Whidbey Island Historic District would be adversely affected; a finding concurred by State Historic Preservation Officer on June 27, 2018.
In keeping with 36 CFR 800.6, the Navy has continued consultation with these parties, holding several consultation meetings since July 2018 and exchanging information in an effort to arrive at a formal Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to resolve the adverse effect to historic properties. These meetings have resulted in robust discussions of the effects and options for resolution. The draft MOA incorporates those measures the Navy finds are consistent with the national defense mission of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, are consistent with Navy responsibilities under the NHPA and scale and scope of the proposed action, and fall within the Navy’s fiscal authority to implement.
Draft MOA Documentation
- Please click here to read the Navy’s press release for the Draft Memorandum of Agreement.
- Please click here to read the Draft Memorandum of Agreement.
Consultation Determination
In June 2018, the Navy released a document summarizing consultation efforts with respect to Section 106 of the NHPA of 1966 for the increase in EA-18G “Growler” aircraft and airfield operations at NAS Whidbey Island.
Consultation Determination Documentation
- Please click here to read the Navy’s press release for the announcement of the preferred alternative and the NHPA Section 106 consultation release.
- Please click here to read the Navy’s Section 106 consultation determination document.
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
On September 28, 2018, the Navy announced the release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for EA-18G Growler operations at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and identified Alternative 2A as the preferred alternative. The ultimate decision will be made and announced in a Record of Decision no earlier than 30 days following the public release.
The Navy has released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) analyzing EA-18G Growler operations at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island and Outlying Landing Field (OLF) Coupeville. It contains updated information since the release of the Draft EIS in November 2016 and identifies Alternative 2A as the preferred alternative.
Alternative 2A was announced as the preferred alternative on June 25, 2018. The announcement was made to provide the public transparency regarding the most updated information on the Navy’s current position with respect to the proposed action. No decision has yet been made. The ultimate decision with respect to force structure and Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) distribution will be made by the Secretary of the Navy or his representative and announced in a Record of Decision no earlier than 30 days following today’s public release of the Final EIS.
Alternative 2A establishes two new expeditionary squadrons and adds two aircraft to each squadron that operates off aircraft carriers. This alternative adds 36 aircraft home-based at NAS Whidbey Island, increases the airfield operations at both Ault Field and OLF Coupeville, and changes the distribution of FCLP between the two airfields. This preferred alternative provides the best, most realistic training for Navy pilots and takes into consideration the noise impacts to all surrounding communities.
The Navy announced a delay in the release of the Final EIS in September 2017 in order to analyze new nformation—specifically, a planned reduction in the number of pilots per squadron and the successful testing of Precision Landing Mode (PLM), formerly known as MAGIC CARPET. The reduction in pilots per squadron and the implementation of PLM will result in a 30-percent reduction in the FCLP requirement from that analyzed in the Draft EIS. This has a beneficial effect of reducing the overall environmental impacts. The Final EIS has been updated with a new noise analysis that reflects the reduction in airfield operations as well as a corresponding reduction in personnel and family members.
Public input was an important factor in the preparation of the Final EIS. The Navy considered 4,335 public comments received on the Draft EIS. The Final EIS has been updated with new and clarifying information to improve the accuracy and thoroughness of the analysis because of the public comments received on the Draft EIS.
- Please click here to read the Navy’s press release for the Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Final EIS.
- Please click here to read the NOA of the Final EIS as published in the Federal Register on September 28, 2018.
- Please click here to read the newspaper notice for the NOA of the Final EIS as published in local newspapers beginning September 28, 2018.
| Please go to the Current EIS Documents tab to download a copy of the Final EIS. |
Copies of the Final EIS also are available for review at 22 area libraries:
- Anacortes Public Library
- Bellingham Public Library
- Burlington Public Library
- Camano Island Library
- Clinton Library
- Coupeville Library
- Freeland Library
- Guemes Island Library
- Jefferson County Library
- La Conner Regional Library
- Langley Library
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- Lopez Island Public Library
- Lummi Island Library
- Mount Vernon City Library
- North Olympic Library System, Port Angeles
- North Olympic Library System, Sequim
- Oak Harbor City Library
- Orcas Island Public Library
- Port Townsend Public Library
- San Juan Island Library
- Seattle Central Public Library
- Sedro-Woolley Library
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NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (NEPA) PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
- The Navy offered three public comment periods and held 13 public meetings in connection with this project – three in Fall 2013, five in Fall 2014 and five in Fall 2016. The project mailing list grew from 350 to 2,342 addressees.
- The Navy considered all 4,335 public comments received on the Draft EIS and refined the Final EIS with updated information, which included a review of eight different reports submitted as public comments.
- While The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and CEQ regulations require public comment on the Draft EIS, the regulations do not require a public comment period following the release of a Final EIS.
- The next step in the NEPA process is a Record of Decision, which would occur no sooner than 30 days following the release of the Final EIS.
DRAFT EIS PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
There were FOUR ways to provide comments on the Draft EIS:
- Submit your written comments at one of the five open house public meetings (December 5 - 9, 2016)
- Provide verbal comments to the stenographer, who recorded your comments, at one of the five open house public meetings (December 5 - 9, 2016)
- Mail your comments
- Provide written comments using the form on this website (form was available from November 10, 2016, to February 24, 2017)
The extended 105-day comment period on the Draft EIS began November 10, 2016, and closed February 24, 2017. The comments submitted at the public meetings, online, or through the mail and their responses are provided as an appendix to the Final EIS (see Appendix M of the Final EIS). Comments submitted during the Draft EIS comment period were used to inform the preparation of the Final EIS document.
OPEN HOUSE PUBLIC MEETINGS, DECEMBER 2016
The Navy held five open house public meetings to provide members of the public with the opportunity to ask questions and submit comments on the Draft EIS. The meetings were held as follows:
Monday, December 5, 2016
Fort Worden State Park
Conference Center, USO Hall
200 Battery Way
Port Townsend, WA 98368
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Oak Harbor Elks Lodge
Grande Hall
155 NE Ernst Street
Oak Harbor, WA 98277
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Lopez Center for Community and
the Arts
204 Village Road
Lopez Island, WA 98261
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
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Thursday, December 8, 2016
Seafarers’ Memorial Park Building
601 Seafarers’ Way
Anacortes, WA 98221
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
Friday, December 9, 2016
Coupeville High School Commons
501 South Main Street
Coupeville, WA 98239
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
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OPEN HOUSE PUBLIC MEETING MATERIALS, DECEMBER 2016
Posters:
PUBLIC OUTREACH BROCHURE, JUNE 2015
The Navy has prepared an informational brochure in order to promote greater understanding of the mission of NAS Whidbey Island, Growler operations and mission, issues related to aircraft noise, and the EIS process. The brochure is available for download at this link.
SCOPING MEETINGS
The Navy held a total of five open house information sessions to provide members of the public with the opportunity to review project-related information, ask questions of Navy representatives, and submit comments on the scope of analysis and content to be addressed in the EIS. The meetings were held as follows:
- From 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October, 28, 2014, at Coupeville High School
- From 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2014, at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge
- From 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2014, at Anacortes High School
- From 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at the Lopez Center for Community and Arts
- From 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 4, 2014, at the Fort Worden Park Conference Center
SCOPING MEETING MATERIALS
PAST ANNOUNCEMENTS
On November 30, 2018 the Navy announced its decision to Terminate Section 106 Consultation for Increased Growler Operations at NAS Whidbey Island
After being unable to reach agreement through extensive, in-depth consultations, the Navy has decided to terminate consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) regarding a planned increased EA-18G Growler operations at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island. Termination of consultation is an option provided to the Federal agency under the Section 106 process, when the agency and consulting parties are unable to reach agreement on how to resolve adverse effects.
The Navy remains committed to resolving the undertaking’s adverse effects to historic properties. The Navy will continue discussions with community leaders regarding other potential mitigations that should be addressed outside of the NHPA Section 106 process. The Navy has a long collaborative relationship with the local community on mutual concerns, and looks forward to continuing that relationship.
- Please click here to read the Navy’s press release for the Navy’s Decision to Terminate the Section 106 Consultation for Increased Growler Operations at NAS Whidbey Island
- Please refer to Section 106 tab for Termination Documentation.
Please go to the Section 106 tab for additional information.
On October 19, 2018, the Navy announced the Draft Memorandum of Agreement for EA-18G Growler Operations Increase at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island is Open for Public Comment.
Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island is inviting the public to review and comment on the current draft National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to resolve adverse effects to historic properties resulting from increased Growler operations at NAS Whidbey Island and Outlying Landing Field Coupeville.
The draft MOA was developed in consultation with the Washington State Historic Preservation Officer, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and with local municipal and interested parties. The draft MOA is available for public review at the following website page:
https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrnw/installations/nas_whidbey_island/om/environmental_support/section-106-national-historic-preservation-act.html.
Comments will be accepted until the National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 process is complete, but are preferred before November 2, 2018. Comments may be submitted in writing to: Commanding Officer, NAS Whidbey Island, Attn: NASWI CR PM, 3730 North Charles Porter Ave, Oak Harbor, WA 98278-5000, or sent via email to: NAVFACNWCR@navy.mil. All comments will be considered. To ensure that your comment is routed properly, please include “Growler 106 MOA Comment” in the subject line
All personally identifiable information of individuals who provide comments will be kept confidential and will not be released, unless otherwise specifically indicated by the commenter or as required by law.
- Please click here to read the Navy’s press release for the Draft Memorandum of Agreement.
- Visit the Section 106 tab to read the Draft Memorandum of Agreement.
Please go to the Section 106 tab for additional information.
On September 28, 2018, the Navy announced the release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for EA-18G Growler Operations at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and identified Alternative 2A as the preferred alternative. The ultimate decision will be made and announced in a Record of Decision no earlier than 30 days following the public release.
The Navy has released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) analyzing EA-18G Growler operations at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island and Outlying Landing Field (OLF) Coupeville. It contains updated information since the release of the Draft EIS in November 2016 and identifies Alternative 2A as the preferred alternative.
Alternative 2A was announced as the preferred alternative on June 25, 2018. The announcement was made to provide the public transparency regarding the most updated information on the Navy’s current position with respect to the proposed action. No decision has yet been made. The ultimate decision with respect to force structure and Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) distribution will be made by the Secretary of the Navy or his representative and announced in a Record of Decision no earlier than 30 days following today’s public release of the Final EIS.
Alternative 2A establishes two new expeditionary squadrons and adds two aircraft to each squadron that operates off aircraft carriers. This alternative adds 36 aircraft home based at NAS Whidbey Island, increases the airfield operations at both Ault Field and OLF Coupeville, and changes the distribution of FCLP between the two airfields. This preferred alternative provides the best, most realistic training for Navy pilots and takes into consideration the noise impacts to all surrounding communities.
The Navy announced a delay in the release of the Final EIS in September 2017 in order to analyze new information—specifically, a planned reduction in the number of pilots per squadron and the successful testing of Precision Landing Mode (PLM), formerly known as MAGIC CARPET. The reduction in pilots per squadron and the implementation of PLM will result in a 30-percent reduction in the FCLP requirement from that analyzed in the Draft EIS. This has a beneficial effect of reducing the overall environmental impacts. The Final EIS has been updated with a new noise analysis that reflects the reduction in airfield operations as well as a corresponding reduction in personnel and family members.
Public input was an important factor in the preparation of the Final EIS. The Navy considered 4,335 public comments received on the Draft EIS. The Final EIS has been updated with new and clarifying information to improve the accuracy and thoroughness of the analysis because of the public comments received on the Draft EIS.
- Please click here to read the Navy’s press release for the Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Final EIS.
- The Notice of Availability for the Final EIS as published in the Federal Register will be available on September 28, 2018.
- Please click here to read the newspaper notice for the NOA of the Final EIS as published in local newspapers beginning September 28, 2018.
| Please go to the Current EIS Documents tab to download a copy of the Final EIS. |
Navy Announces EIS Preferred Alternative for Growler Operations at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and Releases NHPA Section 106 Consultation
The Navy has identified a preferred alternative in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) analyzing Growler operations at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island and Outlying Landing Field (OLF) Coupeville.
Alternative 2 has been identified as the preferred alternative for force structure. This alternative establishes two new expeditionary squadrons and adds two aircraft to each squadron that operates off aircraft carriers. This alternative adds 36 aircraft at NAS Whidbey Island. Additionally, this plan calls for nine total carrier squadrons and five expeditionary squadrons.
Scenario A has been identified as the preferred alternative for Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) distribution. Under this scenario, 88,000 total operations would occur at Ault Field, with 24,100 at OLF Coupeville. 23,700 of those operations at OLF Coupeville would be FCLP flown by EA-18G Growlers.
The operational numbers in the preferred alternative incorporate additional analysis of changes to Navy training that will reduce impacts to local communities. The reductions the Navy studied were based on two factors: the number of pilots needing training and a reduced FCLP requirement due to Precision Landing Mode, formerly known as MAGIC CARPET. Both of these factors decreased overall FCLP requirements from the 42,000 presented in the Draft EIS to 29,600 annually—a 30% reduction under the preferred alternative.
No final decision has been made. The ultimate decision will be made by the Secretary of the Navy or his representative and announced in a Record of Decision no earlier than 30 days following the public release of the Final EIS. The Navy expects the Final EIS to be released in the late summer to early fall timeframe.
Additionally, the Navy has released a document summarizing consultation efforts with respect to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) for the increase in EA-18G “Growler” aircraft and airfield operations at NAS Whidbey Island.
- Please click here to read the Navy’s press release for the announcement of the preferred alternative and the NHPA Section 106 consultation release.
- Please click here to read the newspaper notice as published in local newspapers beginning June 25, 2018.
- Please click here to read the Navy’s Section 106 consultation determination document.
Navy Extends Timeline for Release of Final Environmental Impact Statement for Growler Operations at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
The release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) analyzing an increase of EA-18G Growler aircraft at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island complex, originally scheduled for autumn of this year, is being extended for about 10 months.
- Please click here to read the Navy’s press release for the extension of the release of the Final EIS.
- Please click here to read the newspaper notice as published in local newspapers beginning September 23, 2017.
Public Comment Period Ends: The extended 105-day comment period on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) began November 10, 2016, and closed February 24, 2017. The comments submitted at the public meetings, online, or through the mail and their responses will be provided in an appendix in the Final EIS. Comments submitted during the Draft EIS comment period will be used to inform the preparation of the Final EIS document.
Information regarding the availability of the Draft EIS is provided on the Public Involvement tab and has also been mailed to interested members of the public who have submitted their contact information to the project mailing list.
Navy extends public comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) – In response to requests from elected officials, the Navy has agreed to extend (by 30 days) the public comment period for the Draft EIS for EA-18G Growler airfield operations at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island complex. The original extended public comment period of 75 days was due to conclude January 25, 2017. THE COMMENT PERIOD WILL NOW CONCLUDE ON FEBRUARY 24, 2017.
- Please click here to read the Navy’s press release for the extension of the public comment period.
- Please click here to read the newspaper notice as published in local newspapers beginning January 20, 2017.
- Please click here to read the Amended Notice for Extension of the Comment Period as published by the EPA in the Federal Register on January 23, 2017.
- Please click here to read the Notice of Extension of Public Comment Period as published by the Navy in the Federal Register on January 24, 2017.
Notice of Availability (NOA) for the Draft EIS and notice of open house public meetings – The Navy published an NOA for the Draft EIS for EA-18G "Growler" Airfield Operations at NAS Whidbey Island Complex in the Federal Register on Thursday, November 10, 2016. The publication of the NOA initiated an extended public comment period lasting 75 days, beginning on November 10, 2016, and ending on January 25, 2017 (the comment period will now conclude on February 24, 2017).
The Navy held five open house public meetings in December 2016 to provide members of the public with the opportunity to submit comments on the Draft EIS.
- Please click here to read the NOA and Notice of Public Meetings as published in local newspapers.
- Please click here to read the Navy’s media release.
- Please click here to read the Notice of Availability as published in the Federal Register on November 10, 2016.
- Please click here to read the Notice of Public Meetings as published in the Federal Register on November 18, 2016.
Press Release Regarding NAS Whidbey Island Draft EIS Release – Please click here for a copy of the press release issued April 6, 2016, regarding the announcement of the release of the NAS Whidbey Island Draft EIS, scheduled for fall 2016.
Currents Magazine Article - Click here to download the "Pacific Northwest Growler Training Essential for 21st Century Battles," published in fall 2015 in Currents magazine.
The Navy has prepared an informational brochure in order to promote greater understanding of the mission of Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island, Growler operations and mission, and issues related to aircraft noise and the EIS process. The brochure is available for download at this link.
Notice of Extension of Public Scoping Period and Additional Public Scoping Meetings in Lopez Island and Port Townsend, Washington – Please click here for the copy of the notice published in the Federal Register on November 17, 2014.
Press Release Regarding Additional Public Meetings – Please click here for a copy of the press release issued November 12, 2014, regarding the announcement of additional scoping meetings and the scoping comment extension.
Revised Notice of Intent (NOI) to Prepare an EIS for EA-18G Growler Airfield Operations at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island, Washington. Please click here for a copy of the NOI published in the Federal Register on October 10, 2014.
Press Release Regarding Public Scoping Meetings - Please click here for a copy of the press release issued October 8, 2014, regarding the announcement of public meetings.
Press Release Regarding Growler Alternatives - Please click here for a copy of the press release issued July 25, 2014, regarding the Navy's incorporation of additional force structure alternatives into the ongoing EIS.