The continued noise from the Navy’s jets flying over Lopez once again was the focus of a meeting with Washington State Representative Rick Larsen. While Larsen discussed a range of items from college tuition to healthcare, island residents steered the conversation back to the noise from thousands of engine tests and training runs by new EA 18G “Growlers” and other planes at Naval Air Station Whidbey and Outlying Landing Field Coupeville.
The congressman hosted a full house of islanders at The Bean in Friday Harbor during his “community coffee” hour on Thursday, Feb 18. Larsen opened by giving a short update on the issues he’s currently focused on such as increasing financial aid opportunities for higher education and apprenticeship training opportunities for college students. “Parents need to know there is something out there for their kids as they’re approaching college,” said Larsen, who is funding his child’s college tuition. He proposed refinancing possibilities for those with student debt as well as expanding financial aid and making sure for-profit colleges show transparency in what their students are actually paying for.
Also high on Larsen’s list of priorities this year is changing the voter ID laws that require a current and valid government-issued photo ID in order to make voting more accessible to eligible voters who may not possess the correct identification.
He also noted the completion of the Cattle Point Road project which he worked on with San Juan County and other federal agencies. The project involved more than 14 years of planning, one and half years of design and six months of heavy construction.
After a few minutes of speaking on these issues Larsen invited the crowd to voice their questions and concerns.
Residents’ first concerns focused on mental health services access here in the islands as well as prescription drug abuse and federal funding for programs to help solve these problems. Local pediatrician Mark Fishaut voiced his concern about how the county can help combat drug abuse without sufficient funding for education and other addiction and mental health services. Larsen addressed the need for keeping health care professionals up to date on trainings for these issues as well as how to deal with availability of services versus our remote location.
Aid for college tuition, concerns over OPALCO’s broadband plans and the plight of Syrian refuges were also discussed.
The topic of the morning though, was Lopez island residents concerns over noise from Whidbey Island’s Naval Air Station growler jets over their island. Lopez islanders made it clear their concern was not just for their personal comfort but for economic, safety and even mental health issues.
Real estate agent Barbara Ellis says she lost an all cash sale of a home on Lopez’s south end due directly to the growler noise. “I took the clients out to view the property and the jets flew over. Within hours we had a broken contract,” said Ellis.
Lopez residents stressed that at the least they would like a schedule of when the jets will be flying so they can be prepared. Ellis noted her fears for island children out working with livestock such as their 4-H project animals or anyone horseback riding. The noise of the jets has been known to spook the animals which could cause a serious accident, according to Ellis and other islanders.
Larsen stated that he has been working with the Navy on ways to cut down on the noise. During testing it was found that there is less noise when the jets keep their wheels up until they are over water when they are flying approaches that go over Lopez Island.
As far as getting as schedule of flight times, Larsen made it clear that he is willing approach the topic but “can’t just tell the Navy what to do.”
