Media Availability Related to the Navy’s Draft Amended Analysis to the Final Environmental Impact Statement for EA-18G Growler Aircraft Operations at NAS Whidbey Island
The Navy will host a media availability on Monday, March 31, to address questions related to the draft amended analysis to the Final Environmental Impact Statement for EA-18G Growler operations at NAS Whidbey Island.
The media availability will start at 11 a.m., and will take place at the CPO Club/Bakerview Event Center, located at 1080 W Ault Field Rd, Building 138 in Oak Harbor, WA. 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.
The Navy prepared the 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 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
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
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.
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.
Mike Welding
Public Affairs Officer
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
3730 N. Charles Porter Ave.
98278