In response to pressure from Oregon residents and the state’s Congressional delegation, the Navy has agreed to extend the deadline for public review and comment on the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for expansion of its Northwest Weapons Training Range Complex (NWTRC) along the Pacific NW coast.
Planet Waves originally broke the story about the Navy’s plans two weeks ago Monday, and we have been following it since.
However, instead of a 60-day extension for public comment requested by Oregon’s congressmen, the Navy proposed to extend the deadline by only 30 days to March 11, 2009.
Last Friday, Feb. 13, 2009 Oregon’s congressional delegation sent a follow-up to its first letter to the Secretary of the Navy. The delegation again reiterated sixty days was needed for public review, and called the Navy on a lie. The full text follows, and italics and boldface are alterations made by Planet Waves, they’re not from the original text.
February 13, 2008
The Honorable Donald C. Winter
Secretary of the Navy
1000 Navy Pentagon
Washington, DC 20350-1000Dear Secretary Winter:
In our February 6 letter regarding the draft Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) for the U.S. Navy’s expanded use of the Northwest Training Range Complex (NWTRC) off the Oregon coast we asked you to extend the public comment period and hold additional public meetings in Oregon.
On February 10, several Navy representatives, including Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy Don Schregardus, gave our offices a briefing on the draft EIS/OEIS and answered a number of questions. Unfortunately, it appears that some of those answers contained inaccurate or incomplete information.
During the briefing, Mr. Schregardus asserted that it was impossible to extend the public comment period to April II because it would push back the date for the final EIS/OEIS and thus violate a legal settlement with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
In the settlement agreement, which sets a schedule of environmental compliance for the Navy’s various ranges (including the NWTRC), the Navy “confirms its intent to adhere to its range-wide compliance schedule” and agrees to notify plaintiffs (NRDC and other environmental groups) if it’s going to miss that schedule. However, there are no penalties if the Navy falls behind schedule.
Our offices have since discovered that even before we sent our first letter, the NRDC had itself asked the Navy for a significant extension of the comment period. This settlement was intended to require the Navy to comply with environmental laws, including preparation of environmental impact statements for its training ranges and refusing to adopt effective mitigation measures.
Meaningful public comment is clearly part of this process, and to say that extending the comment period would violate the settlement is disingenuous at best. These issues and the issues raised in our first letter, compel us to again ask that you extend the public comment period to April II, 2009 and hold at least two additional public meetings in Oregon, including one in Tillamook County, to ensure that those who may be affected and wish to comment on the project may do so.
Sincerely,
Sen. Ron Wyden
Rep. Earl Blumenauer
Sen. Jeff Merkley
Rep. Peter Defazio
Rep. Kurt Schrader
Rep. David Wu
Today, the Navy issued a press statement in response:
COMMANDER, NAVY REGION NORTHWEST
1100 Hunley Rd., Silverdale, WA 98315-1100
Phone: (360) 396-4981 Fax: (360) 396-7217FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17, 2009
Public Comment Period Extended Again for Northwest Training Range Complex EIS/OEISBy Navy Region Northwest Public Affairs
SILVERDALE, Wash. – The Navy is extending the public comment period for the Northwest Training Range Complex Environmental Impact Statement / Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) to March 11, 2009, to allow for additional public input. This special allowance within the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process was made due to public comments received.
This EIS/OEIS examines the potential environmental effects of the Navy’s proposal for future range management operations and activities. The Northwest Training Range Complex consists of numerous training areas in the Pacific Northwest.
The range complex extends westward in the Pacific Ocean — up to 250 nautical miles beyond the coast of Washington, Oregon, and Northern California. For more information on this project, and several ways to provide public comment by the newly extended deadline, please visit www.NWTRangeComplexEIS.com.
At least for now, we appear to have a little more time to respond than we did last week. However, the EIS is over 1,000 pages long, there are myriad interests involved who all want to have a say and the Navy, as we have witnessed, is not comfortable with transparency at the moment. At this juncture, its important to continue support of Oregon’s congressmen to pressure the Navy to extend the deadline for the date they asked for: April 11.
Here again are numbers to call and e-mail addresses to write to:
Senator Ron Wyden (D- OR) (ph)202-224-5244 (fax)202-228-2717 http://wyden.senate.gov/…
Senator Jeff Merkley (D- OR) (ph)202-224-3753 (fax)202-228-3997 http://merkley.senate.gov/…
Representative David Wu (D – 01) (ph)202-225-0855 (fax)202-225-9497 http://www.house.gov/…
Representative Earl Blumenauer (D – 03) (ph)202-225-4811 (fax)202-225-8941http://blumenauer.house.gov/…
Representative Peter A. DeFazio (D – 04) (ph)202-225-6416 (fax)202-225-0032http://www.house.gov/formdefazio/con…
Representative Kurt Schrader (D – 05) (ph)202-225-5711 (fax)202-225-5699 https://forms.house.gov/…
Hi Mystes,
Good to chat with you again – thanks for your kind comments and good words. The wargames they usually do close to home are the old classics: big fleet against smaller fleet (aka WW2), and airstrikes against land targets (Korea,Vee-ut-Nam, and ad infinitum). No matter the fact that no one is about to even attempt to take on the Navy at it’s own game, they still practice it – ‘just in case.’ I’m not sure what happened in Texas, but the Navy doesn’t have much there in the way of actual ships or fleet facilities, so they didn’t get the traction they desired.
Wargames per se generate no new jobs – they are the mere use of the human and material assets that already exist, and serve as giant, expensive classrooms. A lot of them are electronic now, with nothing physical being done – I did a couple of those as well in my last two years. As a Aquarian with Mercury on the natal degree, I was in communications (what else?) and saw/read just about everything that went on.
There is a huge futile energy in holding them of course, one that really does nothing to enhance anything. As you said, what enemy?
I like your argument vis-a-vis Navy and Air Force: the AF has been on the outs for several years, especially since their nuclear weapons security was found to be so lax. The Navy hasn’t had the same issue problems (outside of being the deadliest nuclear force on the planet), so they’ve risen within the Pentagon’s sphere. The Army is simply trying to cope with all that has been forced on them, and we’re all pretty aware they’re cracking up.
The Navy is currently trying to base dolphin and seal/sea lion guards around the Puget Sound bases, and they’re going through the public hearing stage right now. A lot of people have risen against it, as dolphins are not exactly used to the cold water here, and would most likely have their lives shortened without extensive measures to keep them fit and healthy. Not to mention the entire animal slavery issue in the first place.
May we set them back to DC with their tails between their legs!
Brendan, thanks for the long insight (longsight?). You do realize that wargames in 2009 are massively different than the exercises being carried out in the 1980s. When *even* a Republican senator opposes them for the Texas Gulf Coast – despite the offers of job-creation sweetening the pot, *under* a Republican governor – you know such games are problematic.
(though I do realize it was the energy industry that was probably calling Kay Bailey H’s shots)
And there is no other country devoting as much money to their entire military as we pour into a single branch. War games against what enemy?
My instincts tell me that the “Navy” has evolved into a sea-fearing entity, determined to control what cannot be controlled; and that being the case, destruction is the next option. The competition between the Air Force and Navy is part of what is driving this fecklessness, and rampant use of amphetamines is also a big influence.
Yes, there is a component of rational, compassionate, intelligent people within this, as in all armed forces. Let’s hope they are allowed to lead the discussion, first among themselves.
Hi everyone,
Been following (but without comments) first from afar and my normal computer, and now from here in Washington state with my usual ‘puter. I wanted to let anyone who cares what this kind of military operating area is about.
I am not going to act as an apologist for the Navy on this, they blew it, plain and simple. Their procedural manual on this is a little outdated I would say, and they so obviously didn’t think it would raise any waves. HA! The Navy may also simply be taking the lead on this: the Coast Guard has been wanting more training areas for a number of years now, so they may have a strong but subsidiary interest in seeing them implemented.
In a previous life, I was one of those users of the military operating areas off of our coast, exactly what is now being proposed for Oregon. My Coast Guard cutter would use them for gunnery exercises (we weren’t all that good) about once a year. This involved scheduling the area for use with the Navy and our service, and then publicizing that for days and hours beforehand with radio messages sent out for the entire area. We would go out and bang away for about 4-6 hours and then go home.
These areas, like most of the rest of them located about the western US, were set up and allocated in the 1940’s and ’50s (look at maps of Nevada, California, and Arizona for further info). The famous “Area 51” of UFO infamy is one of those aircraft operating areas set aside during that era. No one questioned them at the time, as we had other things to worry about, so to speak. The maritime operating areas are not generally closed except when in use, otherwise anyone and any ship can transit through them. No one is actually prohibited entry, but let’s just say you enter at your own extreme risk if the area is active.
The average coastal tourist and resident would never know that anything is happening out there. Fishermen, some boaters, and merchant sailors would definitely know as the areas would be marked on all nautical charts and every operation is announced well ahead of time. Submarines operate in the areas all the time, and there is no disruption to surface life at all. All of the areas are generally at least 10-12 miles offshore if not more to prevent disruption to shipping lanes and to avoid accidents. No one wants anything bad to happen, believe me.
I think the main reason the Navy is doing this is that they feel the need to have more available areas for the fleet from the Puget Sound bases to train in. Currently, only the smaller ships can use the areas off Washington easily, and the aircraft carriers have to go to either San Diego or Hawaii for full-up flight training and warfare exercises. They need lots (thousands of square miles) of space to conduct proper exercises with a full battle group and ‘opponents.’ I believe they use at least 40 to 50 ships in total, I participated in one back in 1980 off Camp Pendleton that had at least that many if not more.
Sailors do like the warm waters of the tropics, but it’s not realistic to expect all battles to take place there, so colder climate areas are very desirable to have set aside. Having spent time in Alaskan waters and also off Mexico, I can attest to the fact that things go differently…
Will the Navy get its way? Questionable in my opinion. My state kind of rolls over and begs for more when it comes to the military (too many jobs involved), but Oregon has so little military of any kind they’re not used to such lame ass behavior, and the stink now raised may be the kiss of death.
Sorry to be so long winded, but it’s not a simple issue, and it goes back for decades, and there is no easy answer.
Peace to all.
Sent note to Bioneers… time to get other grassroots orgs onto the docket and accessing their member lists!
be, libras are always a challenge. It’s probably a personal thing. When a new libra enters my life, watch out. Fasten my seat belt, and pay attention. I do appreciate the mental cleanliness and orderliness of the lifestyle. To a tee. Virgos are pigs in comparison. No offense to the pig, of course, a fine animal indeed. Librans seem masters at utilizing resources. I just need to hold onto some of my own. It amazes me how my libran acquaintenances get people to do stuff for them. That’s my overall jaded experience in libra land.
I only asked about libra because you referenced the March 11 date with potential of a ruffled libra in opposition. Like the weatherologists always say, storms happen with planets in libra. That’s all.
victoria,
Nothing major transiting in Libra right now, but checked to see if any of the asteroids, etc., were there. There are a few, but none that Eric and the ladies here talk about. PW lists 99% of what they DO talk about in the column on the right, if you are interested on where they are at the very moment you arrive at this site.
Why? Do you have a Libra person having problems? Venus, the ruler, is in Aries though, which is the opposite sign and that might aggravate a gentle Libra! (It sure does a number on us Cancers too.)
be, is there anything located in libra at this time to set libra off?
mystes, I like the ‘what the fuck are you thinking?’
But it’s more like he doesn’t want any thinking time. Thinking is dangerous. It’s the old W hurry up and set it in motion. Other thoughts might confuse his plan. Why is he in such a hurry? What happens if he allows discussion? What are the implications for the navy and more importantly for the nation and world if the navy is halted? Why is this so damned important to push through?
This is SO outrageous! I would also propose that one sends a radiant (and earthly) slap-tickle to the Secretary of the Navy himself. www (.) navy (.) mil/submit/contacts.asp was as close as I could come to an address.
I’m trying not to start mine out with: “What the *fuck* are you thinking?”
Secretary of Defense (where *is* that Peace Department when you need it?)
www (dot) defenselink (dot) mil/faq/comment.html
though if someone comes up with a better address, I’d use it.
Yes, these are at the top of the ladder. Aim high, me hearties…
M
Okay, here’s another link…
Maybe my earlier letter will come through soon.
Meanwhile: www dot defenselink dot mil/faq/comment.html
This is SO outrageous! I would also propose that one sends a radiant (and earthly) slap-tickle to the Secretary of the Navy himself. http://www.navy.mil/submit/contacts.asp was as close as I could come to an address.
I’m trying not to start mine out with: “What the *fuck* are you thinking?”
Secretary of Defense (where *is* that Peace Department when you need it?)
http://www.defenselink.mil/faq/press-media.html
though if someone comes up with a better address, I’d use it.
Yes, these are at the top of the ladder. Aim high, me hearties…
M
Thanks Rachel for keeping us posted. Three weeks isn’t much time, but out of curiosity, I looked at the chart for March 11 at Tillamook, OR. For what it’s worth, at 7 PM, Saturn will be on the ascendent and the Sun is less than 1 degree from exact conjunction to Uranus in the 7th house. Also the Moon is in Libra and square Pluto. I would not know how to read this for sure, but if the chart were for 2 PM instead, it would give a Cancer (22degrees) rising and the Moon (ruler) would be at 1 degree Libra on the nadir, opposite the MH, which would be the Aries point. Very public indeed!
If a meeting were held at this time, on the present deadline day, it would gain a lot of attention I think, with the Aries point so emphasized. If we consider the Moon as representing “the people”, it would show them as being fair and balanced (even though war is always a possibility with Libra!)
The Aries MH ruler, Mars would still be in orb of a conjunction to Neptune, and probably lend some sympathy to the “cause”, but could also cloud the issue with confusion or flat out lies. However, it being in Aquarius, I would hope the truth would still come out.
More truth to power is the Sun conjunct Uranus and so near the MH for 2 PM. At least this is my quick incomplete analysis for that location at that time. Even if we gain another month from the Navy secretary, that could be a very good time to hold a meeting for public discussion.
This public outcry against the military’s tactics seems in keeping with Pluto dredging up stuff buried in the country’s “institutions”, so probably no need to fear the old boy. . .he’s on our side!