State: Jet noise a public health concern

March 25--State health agencies are for the first time addressing jet noise as a public heath concern in response to the Navy's draft environmental impact statement, or EIS, for adding more jets at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.

The Navy has proposed adding up to 36 EA-18G Growler jets to its fleet at NAS Whidbey. The draft EIS lists the potential environmental impacts of adding those jets and the related increase in field operations at Ault Field in Oak Harbor and the Outlying Landing Field in Coupeville.

The draft EIS was released Nov. 11 and the public comment period closed Feb. 24.

A comment letter from the state Department of Health states that jet noise such as that which occurs in areas near NAS Whidbey could impact public health.

The department reviewed recent studies on health impacts from noise and on jet noise data collected in the area, according to the comment letter.

"We concluded that noise at levels similar to those reported on Whidbey Island could pose a public health risk," Lauren Jenks, director for the Office of Environmental Public Health Sciences for the Department of Health, told the Skagit Valley Herald.

The agency's comment letter said further study is needed to determine public health impacts from NAS Whidbey jet noise, and suggests a health impact assessment could help address the issue.

Jenks said the department was asked by the state Board of Health, Island County officials and residents near NAS Whidbey to look into potential public health impacts from jet noise.

Kelie Kahler, spokeswoman for the state Board of Health, said the board was prompted to look into potential health impacts from jet noise after hearing testimony from the group Citizens of Ebey's Reserve in June, and receiving a formal complaint from the group in October.

After the Department of Health took its position on the issue of jet noise, the board on March 8 agreed with the position and directed staff to write a similar letter.

The board passed a motion stating:

"The Board endorses the Department of Health recommendations to the Navy and directs staff to draft a letter of recommendation to the Navy to conduct a Health Impact Assessment on the effects of military jet noise on populations near Navy Air Station Whidbey Island."

It is up to the Navy to decide whether to complete a health impact assessment as part of its final EIS.

During open houses for the draft EIS, representatives of the Navy said jet noise levels near the base are not likely to cause hearing loss.

The Department of Health's letter states that research has shown exposure to noise can cause a variety of health impacts other than hearing loss, including mental health and cardiovascular issues as a result of sleep disturbance and stress.

Citizens of Ebey's Reserve has long protested the Navy's use of the Outlying Landing Field for training purposes and of the Navy's plans to bring more jets to NAS Whidbey.

The group is glad to see the state agencies raise concerns about jet noise, according to a March news release.

The request for the health impact assessment "is recognition that there is a problem. Asking for an assessment to understand the health implications of military jet noise exposure ... validates citizen complaints," the release states.

Health impact assessments are part of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention program called the Healthy Community Design Initiative, which help states plan projects with community health in mind, according to the CDC website.

The idea is to bring to light potential health impacts of a project before it is set in motion, similar to the way an EIS examines environmental impacts.

The CDC has funded several health impact assessments in Washington state.

-- Reporter Kimberly Cauvel: 360-416-2199,

kcauvel@skagitpublishing.com

, Twitter:

@Kimberly_SVH

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Facebook.com/bykimberlycauvel

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