From: Chris Hurley

To: COM GMS.Base-Compatibility

Cc: Baumgart, Jim (GOV); Smith, Norma
Subject: Feedback on Draft Washington State Military and Community Compatibility Strategy
Date: Tuesday, July 25, 2017 9:11:13 AM

Greetings -

We are members of Coupeville Community Allies, a citizen organization in Central Whidbey

that is working to developlegislative,policy or legal solutions to mitigate the negative health,
environmental and economic burdens related to the planned dramatic expansion of NASWI
Navy Growler flight operations at Coupevilles Outlying Field (OLF) and/or Ault Field in Oak
Harbor.

A review of the draft plan raises several serious concerns for us as residents of a community
deeply effected by the presence of the military in Washington state. Overall, our primary
concern is the lack of opportunities for citizens living near military operations to participate or
be represented in the decision making process effecting their communities.
More specifically our concerns include:

1. The draft states (p. 39 in 6.1.1)that the people of Washington state are the first
target audience of the draft. The circulation of the draft to the citizens of community
directly impacted by military operations has been very limited. We only became aware
of the draft in mid July when it was shared with us by someone on the official
distribution list. After the comment deadline this month, it is not clear that citizens
beyond the limited and narrow list of stakeholders outlined in the draft will have any
opportunities for input in the plan or implementation.

2. Military advisory bodies to be created (p. 14) do not include any community or civilian
representation.

3. The plans states that the base may have to adjust its procedures for the sake of
civilian neighborsifaccidentsand noise from aircraftpose public safety hazards for
communities(p.11). The plan does not describe how the community is able to engage
with the military regarding such concerns.

4. The plans Goal3.2.1 Goal: effective and timely stakeholder engagementdoes not
address community engagement (p.20) in any way beyond narrowly defined
stakeholder participation.

5. The plan does not address the impact of the military operations on other economic
issues including individual property values, impact ontourism and recreation. The plan
is based on a narrowly defined business case that assumes themilitarys economic
 impact on adjacent communities is uniformly positive.

Overall, the plan limits the definition of stakeholders to thosedirectlyinvolved in economic

activities related to military operations in the state. There appears to be no place for citizens
of communities impacted by operations to be involved in decision making related to land use
planning. We urge you to consider meaningful opportunities for community members to
participate in decisions effecting their lives and environment.

With concern -

Coupeville Community Allies

FranEinterz
Anne Harvey
Christine Hurley
Kelly Keilwitz
Jan Pickard
Lori Taylor