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Navy Final Environmental Impact Statement on Landing Field near Nat Wildlife Refuge is Released



Hello all,

Juan and Karen have both posted information about the Navy's plans.  For
all the details, refer to Chris Canfield's email below - not only is
this going to be disastrous to Pocosin Lakes but the low flying aircraft
are bound to impact Mattamuskeet as well.  It's time for everyone to put
pressure on the Navy and all of our legislators.

Best regards,
Lena 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Lena Gallitano
Raleigh, NC
 
Subject: Navy Final EIS on Landing Field near Nat Wildlife Refuge is Out
Importance: High

The Navy just this morning (7/18/03) released its final Environmental
Impact Statement on the proposed basing of F/A18E/F aircraft and a
landing field they say is needed to support those new planes.  They have
made two recommendations for putting the planes in Virginia and in North
Carolina.  They have only one recommendation for the landing field --
PUT IT IN WASHINGTON COUNTY RIGHT NEXT TO POCOSIN LAKES NATIONAL
WILDLIFE REFUGE!

To see a vague summary of this, go to www.efaircraft.ene.com  The Final
EIS will soon be posted there the Navy says.

But in the release to the press, the Navy quoted extensively Admiral
Robert J. Natter, Commander of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, who issued a
separate letter to the media on why the OLF in Washington County is
needed.  To give you a flavor of it: "the Global War on Terrorism and
Operation Iraqi Freedom required that the Navy deploy on short notice --
or surge .... Existing airfields at NAS Oceana and MCAS Cherry Point and
the OLF at Fentress simply do not have the capacity .... This surge
requirement makes a second OLF prudent."  The release also characterized
this Washington County site as one with "a lack of airspace conflicts"
(but no mention of the birds!) and one that avoids "ecologically
sensitive areas."

Needless to say, we are highly disappointed in this outcome.  But we are
undeterred in our effort to block building this field.  We are working
with other groups, with our National Audubon staff, and consulting legal
experts on what avenues for legal and congressional intervention we
have.  There is a 30-day "response" period prior to the Navy Secretary
making this a formal decision.  But it appears that the period is
perfunctory and that we will be able to fight this in various ways after
a final decision, too.

ACTION:  Stay tuned for actions we may be able to take collectively.  In
the meantime, watch for press coverage and feel free to write short
letters to the editor or to your congressional leaders expressing your
dismay at this recommendation.

Thanks

Chris

*****************************************
Chris Canfield
Executive Director
Audubon North Carolina
410 Airport Rd.
Chapel Hill, NC  27514
919-929-3899/fax: 919-929-4599 
email: ccanfield@audubon.org 
*****************************************