Political Quotes

“I would like to thank Chairman Calvert and Ranking Member McCollum for supporting important policies and programs protecting the unique landscapes you find in the Pacific Northwest. Our region values Federal lands, and, likewise, we are proud to host all branches of the United States military. People come from all over to hike and travel through our forests and waterways, and we want to make sure sensitive areas are protected. The goals of protecting our environment, the economy that relies upon it, and ensuring the readiness of those serving in uniform are not mutually exclusive. For the past several years, I have been working with the Park Service, the Navy, and many other agencies to understand their missions, concerns, and interests with regard to the impact of local military jet noise. At the same time, I have worked to ensure that they can go the extra mile when it comes to public outreach on their plans. Through this effort, I have learned that the Park Service and the Navy measure noise differently. This has led to difficulty in understanding the impact of the noise on the missions of other agencies, local communities, and protected lands, such as Olympic National Park. Moreover, it complicates any basis to examine possible solutions.…”