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The Wildlife Society Submits Comment Against Navy Plans To Build Landing Field In Heart Of Atlantic Flyway

May 10, 2007 — By the Wildlife Society

BETHESDA, MD — Today, The Wildlife Society (TWS) submitted comments to the U.S. Navy on its Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for Introduction of F/A-18 E/F (Super Hornet) Aircraft to the East Coast of the United States. The Navy's proposal to build an Outlying Landing Field (OLF) on Site C, 30,000 acres of land in the Washington and Beaufort Counties of North Carolina would adversely effect large populations of waterfowl, farmers, homeowners as well as military pilots.

"Site C is near the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, a designated Globally Important Bird Area set aside as a sanctuary for migrating and wintering waterfowl," stated Dr. Michael Hutchins, executive director of TWS. "The refuge and its environs provide outstanding waterfowl habitat, some of the best in the Atlantic Flyway. The Navy's studies downplay the significant risk of collisions between jets and the huge flocks of large migratory birds that winter in the area."

In 2000, the Navy began studies to determine where a new OLF might be built, to mitigate complaints from residents in Chesapeake and Hampton, VA near the existing OLF at Fentress Field. Five possible OLF sites in northeastern North Carolina were evaluated in the Final EIS, released in 2003: Site A in Perquimans County, Site B in Bertie County, Site C in Washington County (the preferred site), Site D in Hyde County, and Site E in Craven County. As a result of a 2004 lawsuit by environmental organizations and Washington and Beaufort, the Navy prepared a supplement to their original environmental impact statement.

TWS's written comments state that, "After a thorough review of these materials, we remain concerned about the selection of Site C as the location for the new OLF. Sites A, C and D are all located within an area of Northeastern North Carolina that winters up to 80 percent of the Eastern Tundra Swan Population. Site C, the Navy's preferred alternative, is in an area that has held 25 percent of the swans wintering in northeast North Carolina. It is a site regularly used by large flocks of tundra swans and historically used by large flocks of snow geese.

We firmly believe there is no way to predict the effects of increased noise from the flight training on tundra swans, snow geese, and other species of waterfowl. The risks to pilots using the OLF also have not been adequately examined by the SEIS. "

"As our expert committee's comments indicate, 'The Navy's SEIS does not accurately represent the risks of locating an Outlying Landing Field (OLF) at the selected sites, especially Site C, the Navy's preferred alternative," concluded Hutchins. "The Navy should omit Site C from project consideration. If an OLF is located at Site C, there will be unacceptable impacts and risks to wildlife, Navy pilots, and military aircraft alike."

To obtain a full copy of The Wildlife Society's comments, please contact Laura Bies, Associate Director of Government Affairs, at Laura@wildlife.org.

About The Wildlife Society - TWS is a scientific and educational organization dedicated to enhancing the ability of wildlife professionals to conserve diversity, sustain productivity, and ensure the responsible use of wildlife resources for the benefit of society. TWS also is an advocate for science-based wildlife policy. The society's 7,000 members are highly trained, dedicated professionals from disciplines including sustainable use of wildlife and ecosystems, management and conservation of public and private lands, recovery of endangered species, habitat restoration, and management of abundant wildlife. For more information visit www.wildlife.org

Contact Info:

Laura Bies
Tel : 301-897-9770, ext 303

Website : the Wildlife Society