NAVY JETS TARGET WORLD HERITAGE SITE: OLYMPIC NATIONAL FOREST & PARK, ENDANGERED SPECIES, RESIDENTS

  • by: Doctors Warn Project
  • recipient: Natural Resources Defense Council: nrdcinfo@nrdc.org; Center for Biological Diversity: center@biologicaldiversity.org; CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL: community@conservation.org; Defenders of Wildlife: newsroom@defenders.org; Earthjustice: headquarters@earthj
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/28009-documents-show-navy-s-electromagnetic-warfare-training-would-harm-humans-and-wildlife
36 supersonic Growler jets will fly 2,900 training exercises for 8-16 hours/day, 260 days/year, conducting 11 “training events” and siting 3 mobile radiation emitters in 15 different locations—all critical habitats for endangered species in the Olympic National Forest—and the airspace over the Olympic National Park, a pristine rainforest. Exempt from prohibitions against live firing of guns, missiles, torpedoes and chaff at the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, the Navy stated it will avoid conducting bombing exercises in the Sanctuary only “to the maximum extent practicable.” The Navy estimates thousands of marine mammals would be killed or harmed.

Weapons include "lasers, high powered microwaves (HPMs), electromagnetic pulse (EMP), anti-radiation energy designed to attack personnel, facilities or equipment with intent of degrading, neutralizing, or destroying enemy capabilities." Growler jets have the capacity to jam all electronic signals, including cellphones, navigational equipment, radio stations and 911 and fire-rescue communications. Navy officials have asserted "friendly electronic attack (FEAs) could potentially deny essential services to a local population that, in turn, could result in loss of life, and/or potential ramifications.

A coalition of local Native Tribes, Idle No More, demonstrated against this plan as destructive for the land, water and traditional Native uses. Hundreds of residents have traveled to attend meetings regarding this issue, but the Forestry Department official. Greg Wahl, environmental coordinator for the U.S. Forest Service, has refused to allow an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which is the usual and legal process before allowing any such usage. This petition asks for environmental agencies to request an EIS and for environmental groups to defend this Word Heritage Site.

ENDANGERED SPECIES
- No studies have been done on the effects of loud noise or chronic radiation on endangered species whose “critical habitat” is in the Olympic National Forest, including: the Marbled Murrelet, a small seabird, the Western Snowy Plover, and the Northern Spotted Owl. Most of the 15 sites where the Navy will place its mobile radiation emitters are in that critical habitat.

- No analysis has been done of the effects of electromagnetic radiation and loud sounds on the 1 billion birds flying in this area annually, migrating shorebirds, geese, ducks, and other non-listed birds.

KNOWN HEALTH EFFECTS
- Navy official Jerry Sodano admitted 15 minutes exposure causes “the liquid tissue” of the eye to be damaged by proximity to the activated 3 mobile radiation emitters.

- Navy studies show high numbers of cancer mortality from RF.

- October 4, 1971, the Naval Medical Research Institute published a research report written by Dr. Zorach Glaser, "Bibliography of Reported Biological Phenomena ('Effects') and Clinical Manifestations Attributed to Microwave and Radio-Frequency Radiation" lists over 100 negative biological effects caused by microwave and radio frequency radiations, including: corneal damage, tubular degeneration of testicles, brain heating, liver enlargement, decreased fertility, sterility, altered fetal development, decreased lactation in nursing mothers, altered penile function, cranial nerve disorders, hand tremors, chest pain, thrombosis, chromosome aberrations, tumors, altered orientation of animals, birds and fish, seizures, convulsions, depression, insomnia and death.

- The Navy itself noted aircraft noise as biologically harmful. Human hearing damage occurs at 85 decibels. A Growler jet flying at 1000 feet above ground produces 113 decibels, but can produce 150 decibels, enough to cause instantaneous hearing loss.

- Preliminary studies are needed on the endangered species and other wildlife, as well as on the chronic radiation effects on humans, wildlife and habitats.

NAVY SILENT ABOUT:
- 418 large military drone crashes since 2001; Navy refuses to state if drones will be used in Olympic National Forest.

- 6 Navy jet crashes into rural and residential areas in 2014 caused deaths and fires. The Navy has dismissed factoring in contingencies and liabilities for fires, injuries, crashes, or health effects instead stating they will rely upon local rural emergency services.

WHY NAVY NEEDS TO USE OLYMPIA’S RAINFOREST FOR “WAR GAMES”
- The Navy already has a private electronic warfare testing area in Mountain Home, Idaho, for pilot training.

- The Navy’s two reasons to move the entire program to the Olympic National Park:
(1) savings on jet fuel from not having to fly the extra 400 miles to Mountain Home, and
(2) a 45 minute savings in flight-time for Navy personnel.

- The Navy also targets similar training in the Gulf of Alaska just south of Prince William Sound and east of Kodiak Island that will kill or injure 182,000 whales, dolphins, porpoises, sea lions, seals, sea otters and other marine mammals within five years. Originally predicted at mortality of 425,000 marine mammals, it still places our biologically rich coasts as potential war zones with high casualty counts if the Navy gets its way.
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