Navy proposes increased training in Northwest (USA)

Wednesday, September 29, 2010 (PHUONG LE). Citizens have less than two weeks to comment on the Navy’s plan to increase military training exercises that encompasses a massive area off the coast of Washington, Oregon and northern California.

SEATTLE – Citizens have less than two weeks to comment on the Navy’s plan to increase military training exercises that encompasses a massive area off the coast of Washington, Oregon and northern California.

After a three-year process, the Navy released a final report earlier this month analyzing the effects that two proposed options would have on the environment. The assistant secretary of the Navy is expected to make a decision after the comment period ends Oct. 12.

The Navy evaluated two options, both which increase training activities and weapons testing in the sea and air in the Northwest Training Range Complex, the principal training ground for units based in Washington.

Environmentalists have raised concerns about the impact the increased training exercises, including underwater explosions and sonar use, will have on endangered orcas, other killer whales and marine life. Others have worried about air quality, water pollution, noise and the effects on commercial fisherman.

Sheila Murray, the Navy’s northwest environmental public affairs officer, said the complex offers sailors realistic training opportunities in their backyard to help them prepare for deployment. “This training is important for the sailors. They need an area to train in that is realistic,” she said.

The Navy considered two options beyond its existing plan. Both increases the number of training exercises and includes new weapons testing including guided missile submarines. The Navy’s preferred option also includes the development of a small scale underwater training minefield and use of the portable undersea tracking range.

The Navy’s report concludes that the proposed increased activity would not have significant impact on water resources, air quality, or marine plants and invertebrates. NOAA fisheries biologists also issued an opinion in June finding that Navy’s proposed activities would like adversely affect federally listed marine mammals but are not likely to jeopardize their existence.

The plan does not propose the use of mid-frequency active sonar in Puget Sound, but includes sonar use elsewhere. Environmentalists have raised concerns that sonar can disrupt the behavior and feeding patterns of marine mammals.

Howard Garrett, director of the Whidbey Island-based Orca Network, said he believes the Navy is trying hard to lessen its the impact on whales, but he is still concerned that sonar and explosive use will harm the animals.

The Navy has proposed measures to try to detect marine mammals with overhead flights before it begins testing, and it promises to halt operations if whales are seen, but “I don’t believe it’s possible. Whales are very stealthy,” he said.

Garrett said the endangered orcas spend half the year in inland Washington waters but also travel along the Pacific coast, as well as other whales that use the continental shelf as their thoroughfare.

“I hope they will carry out the plan with the utmost vigilance,” he said.

Online : Navy Northwest Training Range Complex: http://www.nwtrangecomplexeis.com/

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