The U.S. Navy is moving ahead with plans to build a Second Explosives Handling Wharf at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Washington, one of two home ports for the nations Trident nuclear submarine fleet. Why???
The current Explosives Handling Wharf at Bangor is able to handle the current workload. However, according to Joe Graf, of the Navy’s Strategic Systems Program in Washington, D.C. “What we’re looking at is the future.” Of course, "the future" he says. Beneath all the reasons outlined by Graf, might the real reason be... Wharf Envy???
Yes, wharf envy! You see, the Navy's other Trident base in Kings Bay, Georgia has TWO explosives handling wharfs, and I'll let you use your imagination as to what folks at Bangor think about that. After all, we have two more Trident subs than they do at Kings Bay.
But the best reason to question the need for a second Explosives Handling Wharf is that with ratification of the New START Treaty and what should ultimately be a reduced reliance on nuclear weapons and thereby fewer missiles and warheads on those Trident subs, why do we need another Explosives Handling Wharf??? And, of course, it will be a huge waste of money that we don't have to waste in the first place.
We have an opportunity to stop this project, but we must act quickly! The Navy is proposing a Test Pile Program—a plan to drive in and remove 29 large pilings in Hood Canal this summer. It is under review by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as a Environmental Assessment—which is less stringent that the Environmental Impact Statement for the wharf (very sneaky). The Navy is essentially trying an end run around the Environmental Impact Statement process. That is NOT acceptable!
Please write a brief comment on the proposal and sending it to NOAA by February 24th. Enough comments against the project could bring the entire Second Explosives Handling Wharf project to a halt. Address your comments to:
Michael Payne, Chief, Permits
Conservation and Education Division
Office of Protected Resources
National Marine Fisheries Service
1315 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910–3225.
Email your comments to Mr. Payne at: ITP.Laws@noaa.gov no later than February 24th.
Click here to read the project announcement in the Federal Register.
If you haven't commented before, here is some advice from Glen Milner, who is very well versed in these matters. He also believes, based on his previous experience, that we have a good chance of stopping this project if enough people send comments.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR STATEMENT
1. Briefly state your interest in the project -- that you live, travel and/or visit Puget Sound and Hood Canal and that you are concerned about the environmental health of Puget Sound and Hood Canal.
2. IMPORTANT—IF YOU PREVIOUSLY COMMENTED ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) FOR THE SECOND EXPLOSIVES HANDLING WHARF (EHW)—be sure to mention you commented on the EIS and you are upset, concerned, worried, etc. that the Navy is trying to bypass the EIS and start this smaller connected project. The key word here is "connected." Use the term "connected" because the Test Pile Program (which the Navy wants to do this summer) and the larger second EHW are connected actions. They should be considered together (and the Navy is trying to avoid this).
3. You can state that it makes no sense to damage Hood Canal with the Test Pile Program when the project is for the second EHW. The second EHW could be canceled. If you already commented on the EIS, you can be rightfully upset that the Navy is trying to ignore your comments and proceed (you do not have to say what your previous comments were on the wharf.)Together we can build a nuclear weapon-free world. Stopping the Second Explosives Handling Wharf is an important task along the way. Join us! And remember - The comment deadline is February 24th!
Peace and Thanks,
Leonard
Note: Special thanks to Glen Milner for his continuing work on the Bangor Second Explosives Handling Wharf, and for all his work toward a nuclear weapon-free world.