Our Chapter Comments on the proposed expansion of the NAVSEA Keyport Range Complex into the Olympic Coast Marine Sanctuary

The Navy is proposing to operate unmanned underwater vehicles in the surf zone within the Olympic Coast Marine Sanctuary. Here are our Chapter comments on the matter. Thanks to Sarah Waterkotte for providing comments.


Carol Bernthal, Superintendent
Olympic Coast Marine Sanctuary
115 East Railroad Ave
Port Angeles WA 98362

RE: Comments on the U.S. Navy’s NAVSEA Keyport Range Complex Extension DEIS (DEIS)

Dear Superintendent Bernthal,

The Olympic Peninsula Chapter (OPC) of the Surfrider Foundation has discussed the Navy’s proposed expansion of the NAVSEA Keyport Range Complex into the Olympic Coast Marine Sanctuary (OCMS) and has the following comments. We ask that you forward these comments to the appropriate representatives of the U.S. Navy as indicated in the Federal Register notice, Vol. 68, No. 168 of September 11, 2008.

The OPC does not believe that the proposed expansions of the NAVSEA Keyport Range Complex into the Olympic Coast Marine Sanctuary is compatible with the goals of the Sanctuary and prefer that the No Action Alternative be adopted.

Our members are very concerned about the possibility of the Navy operating unmanned undersea vehicles (UUV’s) in the surf-zone of the OCMS causing conflict and injury to public uses and users within the surf zone. We believe that the Navy has inadequately described the size, mass and velocity of the UUVs proposed to operate in the surf zone of the OCMS. Our Chapter prefers the surf-zone be located outside of the OCMS as stated in Alternative 3. Further, as stated above, the OPC prefers the No Action Alternative on the Navy’s proposed expansion.

The OPC has also reviewed the comments submitted to the OCMS by the Sanctuary Advisory Council (dated October 22, 2008) and agree with the Council’s comments regarding probable significant environmental impacts to the environment from the Navy’s proposed expansion of the Keyport Range Complex.

Please feel free to contact me at the following numbers if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Dave Parks
Chair
Olympic Peninsula Chapter
The Surfrider Foundation
PO Box 2263
Port Angeles WA 98362

Office: 360-417-1405 ext. 225
Cellular: 360-480-7312