2113 Rayburn House Office Building COMMITTEES:

Washington, DC 20515 RICK LARSEN TRANSPORTATION

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2nd District, Washington AND INFRASTRUCTURE

DISTRICT OFFICES:
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Bellingham, WA 98225
Congress of tfje Umteb States ARMED SERVICES

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Everett. WA 98201
(425) 252-3188 OMrington, 29C 20515-4702
E'Mail: Rick.Larsen@mail.house.gov
http://larsen.house.gov
June 29, 2018

The Honorable Richard Spencer

Secretary of the Navy
1000 Navy Pentagon
Washington, DC 20350

Dear Secretary Spencer:

As the Navy prepares to issue a final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for EA-18G
Growler airfield operations at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI), my constituents and
I have questions about the inputs to the EIS and requests for future action.

On June 25, the Navy announced the preferred alternative in the upcoming final EIS would be
Scenario 2A. Under this scenario, there will be 118 Growler aircraft at NASWI, with a force
structure of nine carrier-based squadrons of seven aircraft each, five expeditionary squadrons of
five aircraft each, one reserve squadron of five aircraft, and a fleet replacement squadron
consisting of 28 aircraft.

In addition, field carrier landing practice (FCLP) would be distributed with 20 percent of FCLPs
at Ault Field and 80 percent at Outlying Field (OLF) Coupeville. This would increase authorized
annual FCLP operations at the OLF from 6,120 to 23,700.1 am concerned by the magnitude of
change this action would represent for Central Whidbey Island communities.

The Navy has informed me the final EIS will be published in September, with a Record of
Decision at least 30 days afterwards. My constituents deserve more information and answers to
our questions. I am committed to getting those answers.

1. The FEIS will recommend conducting 80 percent of FCLPs at the OLF. This is a
significant departure from the historical distribution. Only twice in the past 40 years have
more than 50 percent of FCLPs been conducted at the OLF. While I understand Ault
Field is a full-use facility, and the OLF can only support FCLPs, this is still a dramatic
change to operations. Why were the other scenarios with a less extreme distribution
rejected?

2. Under Scenario 2A, the total number of Growlers at NASWI will increase by 44 percent,
but the total number of FCLPs will increase by 287 percent. What accounts for this
disproportionate impact, and is equitability a factor in determining a preferred
alternative?

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 3. At how many sites on Whidbey Island has the Navy conducted noise monitoring, as
distinct from noise modeling? For how many days was noise recorded?

4. Concentrating aircraft and training in one location saves taxpayer money, and I
appreciate the Navy’s efforts to promote further efficiencies. But it also exposes small
communities to significant impacts. Will the Navy commit to funding mitigation efforts,
including, but not limited to, construction of a hush house, funding for research and
eventual installation of chevrons and other measures as necessary, particularly if a land
use study makes disruptive zoning recommendations?

NASWI is a premier installation, as reflected in its receipt of the Installation Excellence Award
twice in the past three years. This is a credit to the leadership, sailors and the entire community.

While I am steadfast in my support for NASWI, the women and men who serve there and their
families, the Navy must answer questions about its decision-making process and impact on the
local community. I expect open communication, transparency and a commitment to collaborate
on measures to mitigate these impacts going forward.

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Rick Larsen
Member of Congress
Washington State, 2nd District