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Saving the Chalet: Part 4
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Volume 83 No. 8
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Crowd airs concerns about Navy’s plan
LAPUSH
BEAVER
Beaver resident Peter Larsen makes a point while the line of speakers gather behind him Tuesday, Oct. 15, at the FHS commons. Photo by Lonnie Archibald Navy Northwest environment proA rally against the proposed or sent to Wahl at 1835 Black gram manager for the U.S. Pacific Fleet John Mosher speaks while Lake Blvd. S.W., Olympia, WA Electronic Warfare Range is a panel of USFS representatives planned in Olympia on Friday. 98512. listen. Photo by Lonnie Archibald
CLALLAM BAY
SEKIU
NEAH BAY
PRSRT STD US Postage Paid Permit No. 6 Forks, WA
FORKS
and people that live here will no longer be able to recreate in those areas. A local logger, Pete Larsen, described how he is shut down from working on Forest Service property (because of equipment noise) during certain times of the year because of the breeding season of certain birds. He felt no regard for increased noise is being taken in to consideration by the proposed Navy activity. Jon Preston, a Navy veteran, spoke in defense of the program, saying, “We live in a warfare range. We always have.” The Navy’s spokesman John Mosher commented that if it rained like it did on Monday (it rained 1.38 inches on Monday) they probably would not do the testing during those weather conditions. It was learned the Navy already has spent $11 million on the project so far. The project includes a tower at Mount Octopus and specially equipped vehicles that will travel on Forest Service roads. Also, the cost to fly the jets being used is $4,000 per flight hour. District Ranger Dean Millett said he will be the last word on whether or not the Forest Service grants the Navy a special use permit. He asked those that do send in a public comments have specific reasons, not just,”I don’t want it.” The public comment period is open until Oct. 31 and those wishing to comment can send their letters to Forest Service environmental coordinator Greg Wahl at gtwahl@fs.fed.us
ECRWSS - BOXHOLDER
An estimated crowd of around 100 attended a forum Tuesday evening, Oct. 14, at the Forks High School Commons to hear from the Navy and the U.S. Forest Service about their plans to expand an Electronic Warfare Range to the Olympic Peninsula and other areas south. Not only people from Forks attended but also Pacific Beach (they demanded their own meeting), Port Townsend, Sequim, Port Angeles and several other Jefferson County locations. Navy officials apologized for not having notified citizens in the possibly affected areas saying they didn’t really think people would be that interested and then presented a slideshow presentation showing that there was nothing to fear. People were then allowed to ask questions and comment. Some of the main concerns expressed by those that spoke were: The environmental impact was not addressed properly Concerns over the ever-increasing jet noise that already is disturbing Concerns of the impact on tourism and property values A former Clallam County commissioner, Ron Richards, gave examples of how the government says one thing and then does another. His concern was that if the Navy gets interrupted too much by civilian activity and can’t perform its tests (because it is supposed to stop if people or animals are present) that the Forest Service will lock up the areas