New Navy Study Has Changed Nothing in OLF Battle

New Navy Study Has Changed Nothing in OLF Battle
It's eastern North Carolina versus the U.S. Navy, and the fight grew more intense Monday.

The dispute centers on 30,000 Washington County acres that the Navy wants to turn it into a field where carrier pilots can practice takeoffs and landings. The official term is outlying landing field.

Opponents say the plan will disturb a wildlife refuge for migratory birds. The Navy says there’s a safe way to do it.

At times, there are thousands of birds in the part of the county that the Navy has targeted. Some argue that those birds can pose a danger to the Navy’s jets. The Navy disagrees.

“The bottom line is, we believe that we can safely coexist with this refuge and the refuge can safely coexist with this outlying landing field,” said Cmdr. Richard Catore,

The Navy has just released a second study of the area.

It seems clear there is still a big gap to close between the military and its opponents.

“All of the data and the continued experts we bringing in keep bringing us back to the same conclusion,” Rear Adm. David Anderson said. The conclusion is that that Washington County is the best place for an 8,000-foot runway on which Navy jets can practice as many as 70 takeoffs and landings a day.

“They're gonna have an effect on the birds, and they're gonna put their pilots in danger, no question,” said opponent Joe Albea.

“We brought in additional experts. We all have a vested interest in getting this right,” Anderson said in a separate interview.

“I call him a liar…. He is probably admiral No. 6 who's just reading a script,” said Jennifer Alligood, another opponent.>

Anderson said he would like to sort out how people got to the positions and beliefs they hold now.

“These are some of the things, I want to go back to—‘he said, she said.’ Who did? When? Where?”

“It's pretty much the same party line that we've heard for the last six years, nothing new and different,” Albea said.

Opponents have an important ally: Gov. Easley. The governor says he's frustrated with the Navy and is urging North Carolina's congressional delegation to withhold funding for the airfield.>

Anderson says the Navy is “disappointed” and would like to work with the state.

“We want to be good stewards. We want to be good neighbors,” the admiral said.

The Navy has bought almost 2,000 acres in Washington County, leaving 28,000 needed.

It plans to hold public hearings next month and make a final site selection this fall.


13 Comments


Golo

Welcome to GOLO, where WRAL.com visitors can comment on stories and create profile pages, blogs and photo galleries.

You must be a registered WRAL.com user to use these tools. Click here to register or log in.

View Comments View Comments

Ask Anything
  1. Cam Ward
    10 questions with Hurricanes' Goalie Cam Ward

    Cam Ward answers your questions about winning the Stanley Cup, superstitions on game days and smack talk on the ice.

  2. RDU Airport Director John Brantley
    10 questions with RDU's airport director

    RDU Airport Director John Brantley answers your questions about the fear of flying, airport parking and more.

  3. Career advisor Alan Levinson
    10 questions with career advisor Alan Levinson

    Career Advisor Alan Levinson answers your questions about finding a job, writing a resume and perfecting the interview.

Multimedia
  1. Holiday Bounce game
    Holiday Bounce

    Help the holiday decorations to the tree.

  2. APTOPIX Japan Christmas
    The week in photos

    A look at the top news, politics and sports stories of the week through the lenses of Associated Press photographers.

  3. APTOPIX_Australia_Kidman
    The week in entertainment

    A look at the top entertainment stories of the week through the lenses of Associated Press photographers.

  4. Hillside v Southern Nov. 21, 2008
    Hillside vs. Southern Durham, Nov. 21, 2008

    Hillside got a 20-yard touchdown pass from Corey Gattis to Jharrison Gillespie for the game's only score, and the Hornets downed Southern Durham,…

  5. Middle Creek vs. Southeast on November 21, 2008
    Middle Creek vs. Southeast Raleigh

    See the images from Southeast Raleigh’s 47-17 win over Middle Creek.