Washington state not interested in letting Navy use land for exercises

SEATTLE – Washington has told the U.S. Navy that it’s not interested in allowing state land on the Olympic Peninsula to be used for electronic warfare training exercises.

The Navy has proposed using mobile electronic emitters on three sites owned by the state Department of Natural Resources so radar-jamming aircraft squadrons could practice detecting the signals. The Navy had not yet applied for a lease or land-use permit.

Public Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark told the Navy on Friday that the state didn’t want to participate in the training exercise. “We feel it is important to inform the Navy of one project we would prefer not to partner on at this time,” Goldmark wrote.

He did not give a reason in the letter sent to Rear Admiral Jeffrey Ruth, who commands the Navy Region Northwest.

But on Monday, agency spokeswoman Carrie McCausland said in an email that using state lands in this way “would adversely impact the diverse and complex uses that we’re mandated to manage on behalf of the public.”

The Navy is still reviewing the letter and is evaluating its options, Liane Nakahara, a spokeswoman for Navy Region Northwest, said Monday.

The use of Department of Natural Resources lands is only one part of the proposal, and the Navy is moving forward on other training improvements, Nakahara said.

The Navy wants to improve training for its electronic warfare aircraft based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. It has proposed using mobile electronic emitters on forest lands in Olympic, Colville and Okanogan-Wenatchee national forests so crews could practice detecting those signals.

The Navy says no weapons are being used. Heavy-duty pickup trucks will be equipped with emitters that send electromagnetic signals into the sky that are similar to signals used by cordless phones and Bluetooth devices.

People say they are worried about noise, public safety and other potential effects, and hundreds have opposed the proposal.

The Navy has said there is no safety issue for the public, wildlife or the environment.

In Western Washington, a fixed-emitter is also proposed for Pacific Beach, while trucks would use 15 sites in the Olympic National Forest. The Navy is proposing eight other sites in north-central Washington in the Okanogan and Colville national forests.

Navy officials have said the plan would allow the Navy to train closer to home. Air crews now fly to Idaho for the training.