WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. – A federal Judge says the Navy did not properly review potential public health and environmental impacts to the Whidbey Island area when it decided to increase its fleet of Growler jets from 82 to 118.
The Judge found that the Navy had turned a blind eye to impacts to child learning, bird health, greenhouse gas emissions and the potential to relocate the jets to another military base.
He made the ruling in lawsuits filed by state Attorney General Bob Ferguson and a local group opposed to the jets.
After the expansion at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island there has been a four-fold increase in aircraft activity in the area.
The Attorney General’s Office is looking to invalidate the impact study done by the Navy and require additional reviews be done.
