Update on Efforts to Address Community Concerns About Jet Noise

— from Rep. Rick Larsen —

At a community meeting I attended on Lopez Island last fall, I shared a broad, long-term strategy to reduce the impact of Growler noise. Since that meeting, I have continued to work with local officials and the Navy to find ways to protect the health of the base and ensure servicemembers get the training they need, while addressing the effects of the noise on communities across the north Puget Sound region.

Ongoing communication between the community and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island is producing results. Base officials recently performed informal sound tests in areas on Lopez Island and discovered a significant noise difference between jets flying with landing gear up versus down. The base is now directing pilots to keep their wheels up until they are over water when they are flying approaches that go over Lopez Island, to lessen the impact of jet noise.

Here are a few other updates. I have asked the Navy to consider funding a hush house at NAS Whidbey Island that would muffle noise from on-ground engine testing and maintenance, and direct the sound away from communities. The ongoing Environmental Impact Statement includes a hush house as a potential way to mitigate noise. I will continue pressing the Navy on this issue.

Officials from San Juan County proactively addressed citizens’ concerns by setting up a database for people to report noise. The Navy is working with the county to refine the database so it is as useful as possible in understanding noise impacts in the islands.

I continue to communicate with the Navy about technology that could muffle engine noise and reduce the number of training flights needed. The Navy has discovered that chevrons, devices designed to dampen noise from Growler and Super Hornet jet engines, are not working as intended. That means the Navy will be reworking this technology, and it will take longer than expected for it to be operational. I will continue pressing officials to make progress. As I mentioned at the meeting, some of the ideas I am working on, such as new technology, are not immediate.

I remain committed to ensuring that NASWI remains a premier Navy asset, and I will continue working to address the impact of noise on local communities. I appreciate the chance to update the community on these developments and will continue to do so moving forward.