Submitted by Quiet Skies Over San Juan County

The Navy is proposing to add 36 more Growler jets at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI). According to their analysis, jet training activity over our skies would increase by 47 percent. If the jet noise is not affecting you now, you can be sure it will if more jets are put into the skies over San Juan County.

For many in San Juan County the noise is already intolerable. It’s hard to imagine how it can get even worse. The question is, what can we do about it? The most important action now is for your voice to be heard by submitting comments in response to the Navy’s November Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Comments are due by Feb. 24.

The primary way the Navy addresses jet noise measurement is to use the Day-Night Noise Level (DNL), developed for the FAA to establish a threshold for annoyance at commercial airports. It measures noise impacts over a 24-hour period (page 3-17). So, if there is a barrage of jet engine run-ups and screams from Growler over-flights in the morning and afternoon, and then relative quiet the rest of the day, the predicted effect of the noise is averaged over 24 hours, thus diluting the measurement. It is worthwhile to note that a subsequent FAA research study from 2011 finds “DNL has another major practical limitation. It doesn’t work particularly well as a predictor of aircraft noise impacts.” Aircraft noise impact is exactly what the draft EIS is supposed to analyze, but it falls far short. I don’t know about you, but my ears do not hear the “average” of a day’s noise. They hear and feel actual jet noise right when it occurs.

Further minimizing the projected level and impact of jet noise, the Draft EIS noise assessment spreads annual training operations over 365 days, even though they do not occur every day. This again results in a prediction of less noise than actually occurs on the days when jet engine activity and flights are in operation. Given data obtained for Ault Field operations in 2014, for example, during “active flying weeks” citizens experienced nearly twice the noise events than the annual average portrays. What will that be like if we are battered with the Navy’s projected 47 percent more jet noise?

For more information on this issue see Comment 4 in a paper developed by Quiet Skies https://goo.gl/y35vlP.

We live in a place of extremely low ambient noise. Loud noise has an impact. If you are an outdoor worker, if you enjoy walking outside, if you are disturbed by jet engine roaring that penetrates your home or office, speak up. If you share these concerns – and other concerns about the effects of increased jet activity – it’s important for you to let the Navy know. Otherwise, it would appear we are happy to be blanketed with excessive jet noise. Here are instructions on how to submit comments: https://goo.gl/9FDqeh. You will be surprised at how easy it is to do.

For more information go to the Quiet Skies website (www.quietskies.info). Encourage your friends to comment. Use your Facebook page. Comment deadline is Feb. 24.