It’s time for a remedy. It’s time to restore the balance between the local military impacts and the health and well-being of our communities in NW Washington.
Read to the end to hear about our upcoming and biggest event in the past 3 years!
With your help, the Sound Defense Alliance (SDA) has been continuing to work with our elected officials to advocate for progress, building our base, and amplifying the court victory of the Citizens of Ebey's Reserve (COER). Please join us to work at every level of government to hold the Department of Defense and the Navy accountable to protect Americans. A lot has changed in both technology and the population of Northwest Wash
on since 1942 when the base was founded. Since 2019, the Navy planned to quadruple the number of Growler takeoffs or landings to 100,000 operations per year by 2022, according to the state Attorney General’s Office. For years, residents across the region have reported negative health impacts including cardiac and mental health issues, stress and hearing loss, in addition to economic hardship, loss of tourism and challenges for children. Real progress has been made and we need to continue building momentum. The decision of Federal Judge Richard Jones ruling that the Navy violated federal law in its Environmental Impact Study (EIS) of expanded Growler jet operations will require the Navy to take action. There were four issues cited, including failure to quantify noise impacts on classroom learning and not investigating alternative Growler sites. The ruling, in response to lawsuits filed by state Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Paula Spina, and Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve (COER), a nonprofit member group of the Sound Defense Alliance, demands a remedy to the military jet noise issue in NW Washington. SDA Member Group Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve (COER) reports that Judge Jones’ favorable judgment in their National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) lawsuit (brought in conjunction with the State of Washington) required the parties to enter into good faith mitigation discussions for remedies that would be in effect during the preparation of a new or supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. In the absence of concurrence between the plaintiffs (State of Washington and COER) and the defendant (Navy), the question of interim remedies goes to court to decide. Remedies may be delayed if any of the court's decisions are appealed by any of the parties. The Navy may be looking for ways to avoid complying with the requirements and intention of the judge's decision, indicating that if the Navy does appeal, it would only do so in response to the portion of the judge's decision requiring them to properly and adequately examine El Centro as an alternative basing site for this Growler expansion. COER states that this legal battle will go on, but also asks members of the general public to let our congressional leaders know that the Growlers must be moved to military reservations provided by Congress where they will not have the same severe impacts on people and the environment as they do here. It's time to rally for a remedy!
Some more recent accomplishments:
We're excited to announce the launch of our Sound Defense Alliance Podcast series! This 12-episode series dives into the complex issues around noise, air, and water pollution and how the military contributes to each of them through their Navy Growler jet training program and other harmful activities. Hearing loss, PFAS contamination, economics, and PTSD are just some of the topics we break down in this podcast series. Listen to the podcast featuring experts and activists on this issue to learn what’s happening and how YOU can help protect our communities. Make sure to share the podcast widely!
We had an op-ed published throughout the region – including the Seattle Times! Read it here and tell others about it: Restore the balance between Navy’s needs and civilian communities impacted by Growler jets | The Seattle Times
We were granted funding by the University of Washington’s Population Health Initiative to conduct the Growler Health Impact Project to analyze the troves of raw Growler jet noise data collected over the past decade. Read more about the project and encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to sign up for our mailing list to stay updated about future webinar announcements!
We've had ongoing meetings with the staff of our Congressional Delegation and other elected leaders to engage them in taking action to implement the roadmap to a remedy. Help us by asking your elected officials to support our Roadmap to a Remedy and restore balance to our region.
And now for the biggest news... Mark your calendars for our first in-person event since 2018! We have been working all across Northwest Washington to develop our “Roadmap to a Remedy.” We seek to address this issue in a way that restores the balance between military needs and civilian communities and are asking all to join efforts and work together for this cause. Please join us for a celebration and activation event next month! Rally for the Remedy October 15th from 2PM – 4PM Crockett Barn 1056 South Crockett Farm Road Coupeville, WA We can't wait to see some familiar faces and some new ones at this event! It has been a long past few years and we're long overdue for celebration, activation, and some much needed in-person gathering. Tell your friends, invite new neighbors, and get ready for a great afternoon with our amazing community of Sound Defenders! Help us out at our event by contacting our fabulous volunteer coordinator Becky (SDAevent@gmail.com) to help with a variety of volunteer roles including:
Event set-up/breakdown
Transportation from ferries
Greeting
Photography/Videography
Parking
Children's activities
Stagehand/Tech
Leading activities tables
And much more!
Other volunteer opportunities to engage with us outside of the event include:
Joining our Speakers Bureau
Engaging your elected officials
Attending our trainings
Sharing your stories or holding space at our Listening Sessions
Writing letters to the editor
Donating
Social media advocacy
Send an email to Becky (SDAevent@gmail.com) to get involved as a volunteer!
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