Battle Over Proposed Landing Field Heads To D.C.

Navy To Discuss Proposed Landing Field in Eastern N.C.

The dispute over a proposed Navy landing field in North Carolina is heading to the nation's capital.

The Navy hopes to practice its own takeoffs and landings in an area near the Beaufort-Washington County line. Two Navy studies show the area is the best place for an outlying landing field, but critics said it is too close to a wildlife refuge for birds.

Critics have also said they are worried about the field's effect on the environment.

Several state leaders, including Gov. Mike Easley and state Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, are against the proposal. U.S. Rep. David Price, D-N.C., has also voiced his opposition to the plan.

Opponents from Washington County will go to Washington D.C. Thursday to ask Congress to withhold funding for the airfield.

The battle over the proposed landing field has been going on for more than six years now. The next public hearing about the outlying landing field will be next Wednesday in Plymouth.



36 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. Greg Fishel
    10 questions with Greg Fishel

    WRAL's chief meteorologist answers your questions about severe weather, snow and why he loves his job.

  2. WRAL.com moderator
    10 questions with a WRAL.com moderator

    A WRAL.com moderator answers your questions about comments on stories, abuse reports and more.

  3. Bryan Beatty
    10 questions with N.C. Secretary of Crime Control & Public Safety

    Bryan Beatty answers your questions about homeland security, gang prevention and illegal immigrants.

Multimedia
  1. India Hindu Festival
    Photos of the week

    See the major events of the week as caught in the lenses of Associated Press photographers.

  2. Australia_Markets
    Global financial meltdown

    A look at the global impact of the financial crisis, with market data and summaries of plans for several countries.

  3. John McCain, Barack Obama
    Compare attack ads

    The Associated Press evaluates two negative ads getting attention in the presidential campaign.

  4. Sen. John McCain
    Campaign Trail Photos of the Week

    View photos from the past week on the campaign trail from AP photographers around the country.

  5. Big Yellow Moutnain
    Big Yellow Mountain Hike slideshow

    Fall colors are peaking now in the higher elevations. Arthur Griffith of the Nature Conservancy led a small group of hikers up to the bald on Big…

Multimedia
  1. India Hindu Festival
    Photos of the week

    See the major events of the week as caught in the lenses of Associated Press photographers.

  2. Australia_Markets
    Global financial meltdown

    A look at the global impact of the financial crisis, with market data and summaries of plans for several countries.

  3. John McCain, Barack Obama
    Compare attack ads

    The Associated Press evaluates two negative ads getting attention in the presidential campaign.

  4. Sen. John McCain
    Campaign Trail Photos of the Week

    View photos from the past week on the campaign trail from AP photographers around the country.

  5. Big Yellow Moutnain
    Big Yellow Mountain Hike slideshow

    Fall colors are peaking now in the higher elevations. Arthur Griffith of the Nature Conservancy led a small group of hikers up to the bald on Big…