Forum Index > Public Lands Stewardship > Navy wants to use State Parks for Training
 Reply to topic
Previous :: Next Topic
Author Message
Schroder
Member
Member


Joined: 26 Oct 2007
Posts: 6696 | TRs | Pics
Location: on the beach
Schroder
Member
PostFri Feb 21, 2020 1:18 pm 
WEAN leads opposition to Navy training in parks
Quote:
The Navy wants to significantly expand its locations for realistic military exercises in coastal northwestern Washington, and a Whidbey group wants people to know more about the covert activity. In a plan to be presented to the State Parks Commission, Navy personnel would engage in “Naval Special Operations Training” at up to 29 state parks, four county sites, eight city sites, 17 other public sites and two private marinas. Whidbey Environmental Action Network, known as WEAN, is leading an effort to notify people about the Navy’s plans. “We’re doing what the state parks department should have done, and telling people about this,” said Steve Erickson of Whidbey Environmental Action Network. “We firmly believe decision-making is a participatory activity. WEAN is taking the lead to connect organizations and people all over the state.” According to Sheila Murray, a public affairs deputy for Navy Region Northwest, the expanded training is part of the “obligation to defend the country successfully and keep pace with the capabilities of potential adversaries.” Murray said the rigorous training teaches the skills “needed to avoid detection with the goal of leaving no trace of their presence during or after training activities.” Describing herself as a researcher by nature, Marianne Edain of WEAN said she obtained documents describing a plan “to have groups of trainees and advisors go from larger Navy vessels to the shore in smaller boats and work their way upland with realistic-looking weapons.” Erickson is concerned about on-shore activities. The Navy personnel will stay up to 72 hours, covertly watching park visitors and others. “Spying on people while carrying weapons is about as creepy and threatening as it gets,” he said. “There’s a huge potential for disaster when someone reacts and calls the cops or takes action.” Erickson cites a North Carolina case where a deputy sheriff unwittingly killed a trainee and wounded another as they were pretending to be terrorists. The county had to pay about $750,000 in damages. The Sound Defense Alliance, based in Coupeville, joins WEAN in opposing the expanded training and urging people to contact the Parks Commission. In an e-mail to supporters, Sound Defense Alliance said military training is incompatible with civilian recreation. “We need a huge public outcry so that the Parks Commission doesn’t just rubber-stamp the Navy’s plans,” the email stated. Murray, however, said Navy SEALS have been safely training in state parks without incident or complaint for more than 30 years. “Military, public and private properties provide varied features to adequately prepare special operations personnel for environments they may encounter on deployment,” she said. The Navy’s previous five-year/five-park, right-of-entry permit expires in April. According to Erickson and Edain, an expanded clandestine training agreement would deny any liability. Erickson pointed out the prior agreement said state parks could sue in the District of Columbia Court of Claims. “Now, apparently, the Navy doesn’t even want that much liability. If this activity does occur, the Navy should post a sufficient bond for each park,” he said. Murray said a special use permit from the state is required before any activities can be conducted on specified public lands. She said real estate right-of-way agreements must be acquired prior to entry on any private property. She added that state parks and other locations would continue to operate normally during the naval special operations training. Describing the activities as non-invasive, Murray said “the Navy would not build devices or structures; training does not involve live-fire ammunition, demolitions, off-road driving, manned air operations, vegetation cutting, camp fires or leaving waste.” A discussion of the matter is on the agenda for the March 12 meeting of the State Parks Commission in Chelan. According to Edain, the State Parks Deputy Director for Operations, Mike Sternback, has said that only public sentiment would change the anticipated approval of the plan. Erickson objects to the location of the Parks Commission meeting. “We’re asking the parks commission to hold its meeting in a population center closer to the affected areas,” he said. “There never is a level playing field when dealing with state agencies.” According to the documents she has obtained, Edain said the Navy, without consulting the state, “concluded the war games would have no effect on historic and cultural properties including those belonging to indigenous tribes.” She said the Navy claims to have met its obligation to consult the tribes but some Indigenous groups still disagree. Edain also said the Navy already owns 46 miles of shoreline property where military exercises could be conducted. Murray said the Navy completed the federally required environmental assessment and conducted public outreach as early at 2017. She said there was a public review and comment time in early 2018. “Notification was sent to tribal staff, federal and state legislators, elected officials, state and local agencies, individuals, organizations and community groups,” said Murray. According to the Navy, environmental documents related to the training are available for examination at public libraries in Anacortes, Bainbridge, Gig Harbor, Ilwaco, Oak Harbor, Port Townsend, Poulsbo, Sequim, Tacoma and Westport. “The Navy employs data analysis, training doctrine, and standard operating procedures to ensure that activities are isolated and remain safe,” said Murray. “We owe these sailors the best possible preparation to allow them to succeed and survive.” Murray said the safety of the public and military personnel is of utmost importance to the Navy. “We have longstanding close relationship with local civil authorities to coordinate Navy training activities,” she said. The issue has already attracted the attention of Island County Democrats and the state Democratic Party. Both groups have adopted a resolution in opposition. At the recent Sound Waters University on Whidbey, many people signed a petition urging the state Parks Commission to reject the proposal. More information from the Navy is available at https://navfac.navy.mil/NSOEA Comments can be sent to the State Parks Commission at Commission@parks.wa.gov or don.hoch@parks.wa.gov.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
treeswarper
Alleged Sockpuppet!



Joined: 25 Dec 2006
Posts: 11272 | TRs | Pics
Location: Don't move here
treeswarper
Alleged Sockpuppet!
PostSat Feb 22, 2020 11:24 am 
I would enjoy unleashing my friendly Demon Dog and seeing how many "seals" she could locate in anticipation of belly rubs. That might be amusing.

What's especially fun about sock puppets is that you can make each one unique and individual, so that they each have special characters. And they don't have to be human––animals and aliens are great possibilities
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Ski
><((((°>



Joined: 28 May 2005
Posts: 12798 | TRs | Pics
Location: tacoma
Ski
><((((°>
PostMon Mar 02, 2020 11:31 am 
There's another discussion thread on this in "Trail Talk" HERE
Dave Felice, reporting for the South Whidbey Record wrote:
According to Edain, the State Parks Deputy Director for Operations, Mike Sternback, has said that only public sentiment would change the anticipated approval of the plan.
(* emphasis added *)
Becki Ellison, Executive Assistant to the Director & Commission, Washington State Parks, in an email of 03-02-20 wrote:
Thank you for your comments on the Navy’s proposal to expand training operations in Washington state parks. All public comments will be provided to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission for consideration. You can stay up-to-date with the latest information on the Navy proposal by checking our website, https://parks.state.wa.us/1168/Navy-proposal Becki Ellison, Executive Assistant to the Director & Commission PO Box 42650 ~ 1111 Israel Road SW Olympia, WA 98504-2650 (360) 902-8502 becki.ellison@parks.wa.gov
Washington State Parks wrote:
Have there been any Navy personnel/trainee conflicts in the parks resulting from these trainings? No. We are not aware of any conflicts between the Navy and the public during trainings. The Navy has protocols in place to stop exercises if a member of the public enters the training area.
So I guess that the incident where a County Sheriff shot and killed one and injured another Navy trainee being out-of-state was okay, since it didn't happen here and presumably the County Sheriff isn't a member of the public? dizzy.gif

"I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each."
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
trestle
Member
Member


Joined: 17 Aug 2008
Posts: 2093 | TRs | Pics
Location: the Oly Pen
trestle
Member
PostMon Mar 02, 2020 1:48 pm 
Will they be displaying their Forest Pass and who is writing them a ticket when they don't? rant.gif I assume this also means the public has free access to the Rattlesnake Hills? lol.gif

"Life favors the prepared." - Edna Mode
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
   All times are GMT - 8 Hours
 Reply to topic
Forum Index > Public Lands Stewardship > Navy wants to use State Parks for Training
  Happy Birthday speyguy, Bandanabraids!
Jump to:   
Search this topic:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum