Navy ditches Plan A for landing field site

The U.S. Navy is dropping plans to build a jetway for aircraft pilots to practice landings in Washington County, focusing instead on two potential sites in northeastern North Carolina and three in Virginia.

North Carolina leaders, who vehemently opposed the Navy's original choice near Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, applauded the Navy's announcement Tuesday that it would abandon plans for the site, where thousands of birds migrate annually. At the same time, several local leaders vowed to fight the new proposed sites in northeastern North Carolina.

The Secretary of the Navy's Office said the Navy would study two sites in North Carolina, Hale's Lake in Camden and Currituck counties, and Sandbanks in Gates County.

The study is expected to take more than two years.

"These sites each have operational, environmental and population characteristics that make them viable site alternatives for further analysis," the Navy said.

The Navy wants to build a $230 million airfield in a remote area for fighter pilots to simulate night landings on aircraft carriers. The five new sites were chosen for their proximity to Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia. The Navy has been looking to shift nighttime training away from its existing Fentress landing field in Chesapeake, Va., because of complaints about noise.

The former preferred site in Washington and Beaufort counties was favored in part because it was convenient to fighter jet squadrons based at Oceana and at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in Havelock. The Navy's new announcement makes no mention of Cherry Point.

Lt. Cmdr. Cindy Moore, a spokeswoman for the Navy, said the Navy still plans to base two squadrons of Super Hornets at Cherry Point and eight at Oceana. Moore said Cherry Point could support landing field practices without a new airfield. The so-called outlying landing field will serve Oceana and aircraft on carriers in Norfolk, Moore said.

Siding with residents

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole said in a statement that she was pleased the Navy had dropped consideration of the five original sites in Eastern North Carolina. But Dole said she was discouraged that the Navy had yet to consult with local leaders in Gates, Camden and Currituck counties about its plans.

"Based on my extensive discussions with officials and residents in Gates, Camden and Currituck Counties, it is clear that the Navy's proposal to locate an OLF at those sites will be met with considerable resistance," Dole said.

"Broad local support for an OLF is essential, and as I have assured North Carolinians and advised the Navy, I will oppose the Navy's efforts to acquire any site in North Carolina that fails to meet this standard," she said.

Moore, the Navy spokeswoman, said the Navy had worked with leaders in North Carolina and Virginia and commended them for their help in providing information. "We look forward to working further with local and state officials as well," Moore said.

Local officials in both counties, as well as state leaders, have expressed opposition to the airfield in their counties.

Camden County Manager Randell Woodruff said that the proposed Hale's Lake site was in a growing area and that a 30-month study could stifle economic development.

State Senate leader Marc Basnight of Manteo, whose district includes Camden and Currituck counties, said he would continue to oppose the sites.

"He has said that locating an OLF in a rural, economically distressed area is absolutely unacceptable," said Schorr Johnson, a spokesman for Basnight. "With today's disappointing news, Senator Basnight vows to continue to fight on behalf of families who have worked this land for generations."

The Easley administration, which opposed an airfield near the wildlife refuge, worked with the Navy last year to identify additional sites in North Carolina -- including those in Gates and Camden counties. But Easley then said he would not support the site if the local communities didn't want the air strip.

"The governor is pleased the Navy has dropped the Washington County site and is starting their process over," said Renee Hoffman, an Easley spokeswoman. "We will need to see what kind of economic benefit versus burden is in the new Navy package so the citizens of Camden and Gates counties will be able to decide whether it is satisfactory to have the OLF in their communities."

Taken off the list

The Navy also announced that it is abandoning four other North Carolina sites previously under consideration in Craven, Bertie, Hyde and Perquimans counties.

Chris Canfield, executive director of Audubon North Carolina, applauded the Navy's decision to drop its proposal for a landing field site next to the refuge. Audubon was among the groups that sued to block the Navy's plans.

"This is a victory for the hundred thousand birds that winter there and for the farmers that live there," Canfield said. "It is a victory for the people of North Carolina and the political leaders who represent them. And it is also a victory for the Navy and its pilots, which deserve the safest training possible, without the threat of catastrophic collisions with large birds."