For Immediate Release DATE: June 28, 2019 Contact: Larry Morrell, SDA Executive Director, executivedirector@sounddefensealliance.org
Coupeville, WA. The Sound Defense Alliance (SDA) applauds the work of U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (DWA) and U.S. Representatives Rick Larsen (D) and Derek Kilmer (D) for their efforts to include “real-time noise monitoring” by the Navy in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
“This is a great first step. Now we’re on to the conference committee where the differences between the House and Senate versions will be reconciled before final consideration of the FY20 NDAA later this year. In order to get this over the finish line, we’ll need to be supporting our elected officials while we work to see that the strongest language comes out of the process,” said Maryon Attwood, Chair of SDA’s Legislative Committee.
“Since the final Record of Decision (ROD) was issued by the Secretary of the Navy in March of 2019, communities across NW Washington have experienced punishing noise levels caused by the addition of 36 Growler aircraft to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island,” said SDA Executive Director Larry Morrell “Senator Cantwell and Representatives Larsen and Kilmer have stepped up to get an amendment in the NDAA to measure the real-time noise impacts. This data will provide the information necessary to show decision makers the truly damaging impacts of the noise on the health and safety of people, places, wildlife and economy of NW Washington.”
Sound Defense Alliance is a coalition of groups from across NW Washington working to defend communities and the natural environment from harmful impacts of military activity around the Salish Sea, Puget Sound and the Olympic Peninsula. SDA recognizes that for decades communities across NW Washington have partnered with the military in protecting our national security, but the noise, pollution, health and economic consequences of the recent expansion have pushed those same communities to the breaking point.
“By going ahead with the massive expansion of the Growler program in NW Washington, the Navy has shown they are not listening to we, the people of NW Washington or our representatives,” said Rhea Miller, SDA Chair “SDA has been working with our elected officials to get the data that will force the Department of Defense to reverse this terrible decision. We’ll continue to defend our homes, families, and environment for as long it takes to restore the balance between the military and our communities.”
SDA is a regional organization with members and affiliates across the state; Attwood resides in Coupeville, Morrell in Port Townsend, Miller on Lopez Island. For more information about the Sound Defense Alliance go to: sounddefensealliance.org or facebook.com/SoundDefenseAlliance
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