March 14, 2025 –
The Department of the Navy has prepared Draft Amended Analysis to the 2018 Final Environmental Impact Statement and 2019 Record of Decision for EA-18G Growler Airfield Operations at the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Complex, in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the orders of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
This Draft Amended Analysis (1) updates greenhouse gas emissions calculations and explains the basis for those calculations; (2) clarifies and expands on the analysis of species-specific impacts on birds; (3) refines the analysis of the impact of increased operations on childhood learning and attempts to quantify the degree of impact to the extent supported by the best available science; and (4) reassesses whether relocating some or all of the Growler community to Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro is a reasonable alternative and provides a fuller explanation of the Navy’s reasoning for eliminating the alternative from detailed study.
The analysis is available online for public review at the project website located at www.nepa.navy.mil/growler. A paper copy of the Draft Amended Analysis may be reviewed at 22 public libraries in the northern Puget Sound region. The full list of libraries and corresponding addresses may be found at the project website.
The Navy will accept comments on the Draft Amended Analysis during a 45-day public comment period beginning on Friday, March 14, 2025, and ending on Monday, April 28, 2025. The public can submit written comments during the in-person public meetings, online at the project website, or by mail to: Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Atlantic; Attention: Code EV21JB (Growler Project Manager); 6506 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23508‐1278.
Comments should describe specific issues or topics. Comments outside the scope of the Draft Amended Analysis will not be considered. All comments must be submitted electronically or postmarked by 11:59 p.m. PDT on April 28, 2025.
PUBLIC MEETINGS
The Navy will host two in-person public meetings in the form of an open house to inform the public about the contents of the Draft Amended Analysis, answer questions, and provide the opportunity to submit official written comments.
The in-person public meetings are scheduled as follows:
- Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. PDT at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge, 155 NE Ernst Street, Oak Harbor, WA 98277
- Wednesday, April 2, 2025, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. PDT at the Whidbey Island Nordic Lodge Hall, 63 Jacobs Road, Coupeville, WA 98239
Additionally, the Navy will host one virtual meeting featuring an informational presentation and will address questions submitted in advance. Questions can be submitted to the Navy for consideration in advance via the following email address: growler_amended_analysis@us.navy.mil.
The virtual meeting will be broadcast on the project website on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. PDT.
After this initial broadcast, a recording of the virtual meeting will be posted to the project website.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: U.S. Fleet Forces Command, 1562 Mitscher Avenue Suite 250, Norfolk, VA 23551-2487, Attention: Mr. Theodore Brown, Installations and Environment Public Affairs Officer, 757-836-4427, theodore.c.brown4.civ@us.navy.mil or visit the project website www.nepa.navy.mil/growler/.
NOTICE TO MEDIA: The Navy will conduct a media availability at 12:00 p.m. PDT on Monday, March 31, 2025, (the day prior to the Oak Harbor public meeting). Media interested in attending should contact Mr. Theodore Brown, Installations and Environment Public Affairs Officer at 757-836-4427 or at the following e-mail address: theodore.c.brown4.civ@us.navy.mil.