ArmoredD.com

By Jeff Chew, Peninsula Daily News

Expansion of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center test range at Dabob Bay and its Quinault range off the Pacific Coast would include testing of unmanned undersea vehicles, a new warfare reconnaissance technology.

Unmanned underwater vehicles, which can be launched through submarine torpedo tubes, are becoming increasingly popular for mine detection, reconnaissance against enemy vessels and measuring waters and land to ensure safe navigation.

The Navy is accepting public comment through Oct. 27 on a draft environmental impact statement and overseas environmental statement.

The statements deal with expanding testing, research and development of new undersea systems in the Dabob Bay, Keyport and Quinault test ranges — as well as to expand the area of the ranges.

The Dabob Bay Range Complex would be expanded to include Hood Canal from a mile south of Hood Canal Bridge to the Hamma Hamma River near Lilliwaup in Mason County.

“That gives us a run of [27.5 miles] to test our unmanned underwater vehicles,” said Diane Jennings, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport public affairs officer.

“Our purpose is to test the vehicles. We are testing the Navy’s technology.”

The Quinault Underwater Tracking Range’s area would be greatly expanded in area, from about 63 square miles to about 2,438 square miles, with the range extending beyond 13 miles from shore.

Extending the inland and coastal ranges will allow the Navy to close larger portions of open waters to civilian watercraft when necessary.

“We’re well known for testing torpedoes at our Dabob tracking range,” Jennings said.

The range has existed in the bay off the tip of the Toandos Peninsula near the Coyle community in East Jefferson County since 1957.

Torpedoes tested in the bay are unarmed and without explosives.

The use of unmanned vehicles is something new, she said.

Unmanned underwater vehicles can be small enough to be held by hand or as large as a torpedo, she said. Some are in small turtle-like designs.

Open houses
The Navy has scheduled open houses and public hearings in Quilcene and Pacific Beach, as well as in Shelton and Keyport.

Each will be at 5 p.m., with public hearings beginning at 7 p.m.

The Quilcene open house and public hearing will be at the Quilcene School Multi-purpose Room, U.S. Highway 101.

The Pacific Beach hearing will be at Grays Harbor Fire District 8.

The Shelton hearing will be Oct. 2 at North Mason Senior High School, and the Keyport hearing will be Oct. 1 at the Naval Undersea Museum.

The hearings will focus on the Navy range expansions.

“In Dabob Bay, the conditions are going to be the same, and in extended areas nothing will be blocked,” Jennings said.

“Folks in the Quilcene area shouldn’t see a change in our operation.”

The test ranges would be used no more than 200 days a year, she said.

The Navy reports that the Quinault Range is closed up to 15 days while sections of Keyport and Hood Canal are closed up to 60 and 130 days, respectively.

Navy Underseas Warfare Center Keyport has safely operated its ranges for 90 years, Navy officials said, and have assisted the public in distress calls.

The Keyport center works with the Coast Guard in notifying mariners about testing.

Preparations for the environmental impact statements began in 2003 with public scoping meetings in Jefferson, Mason, Kitsap and Grays Harbor counties.

A copy of draft environmental impact statement can be seen at www-keyport.kpt.nuwc.navy.mil.

Written comments will be taken during the public hearings, or can be mailed. They must be postmarked no later than Oct. 27 and be addressed to Kimberly Kler (EIS/OEIS PM), Naval Facilities Command, 1102 Tautog Circle, Suite 203, Silverdale, WA 98315-1101, or faxed to her at 360-396-0857