PORT TOWNSEND — The Navy’s request for access to the Mats Mats boat ramp for training is only a courtesy, according to the Port of Port Townsend director.
“This is a public ramp,” Larry Crockett said Wednesday.
“I don’t see how we can deny access.”
In a letter to Crockett, Navy real estate contracting officer Michael D. Brady asked that the port allow use of the Mats Mats boat ramp between Port Hadlock and Port Ludlow for the Naval Special Warfare Group to perform cold-water training while in the Puget Sound area.
Just one comment
The port commission had a first reading of the request with an invitation for public comment.
One person did so.
“This could have an effect on wildlife,” said Mats Mats resident Joe Allen.
“It’s a sensitive area and a shallow bay, so more activity means more disruption to the ecosystem.”
Round-the-clock access
The document asks for round-the-clock access at any time to the area either by land or water for a period not to exceed five years.
The training cycle in the Puget Sound area is from February through May, the letter said.
“The purpose of this training is to access and leave areas undetected with no actions that would be disruptive to the community,” Brady said in his letter.
According to Navy spokesperson Sheila Murray, the training is to include cold-water, high-current, dive-swimmer training; launch and recovery of manned submersibles; underwater navigation; emergency and rescue procedures, and other maritime training.
Because it is in a residential area, it could disturb residents, Crockett said.
“This isn’t a high density place but there are homes within 150 feet,” Crockett said.
“During the exercises they should have someone at the dock to answer any questions and tell people that everything is OK.”
The port commissioners had their own questions, with Steve Tucker asking about the timing of the request and Brad Clinefelter wondering why Mats Mats Bay was singled out as a site.
“They have a whole island with boat ramps and beaches,” Clinefelter said in a reference to Indian Island.
Crockett said that part of the Navy’s outreach program should include a complaint line.
“If someone has a complaint about air traffic they can call the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration]. We need to get a point of contact for questions about these exercises,” he said.
Crockett said he planned to seek answers to questions and address them at the next regular meeting, at 5:30 p.m. March 23 at 333 Benedict St.
SEAL training
Mats Mats Bay, an inlet on the Hood Canal, is one of several Jefferson County locations identified by the Navy as possible future sites for Navy SEAL training exercises.
A 2016 Navy document listed Port Townsend Marina, Fort Flagler State Park, Indian Island, Port Ludlow, Mats Mats Bay, the Toandos Peninsula and Zelatched Point as training areas in Jefferson County.
The overall request also included Sequim Bay State Park in Clallam County and Port Hadlock Marina, Discovery Bay and Fort Worden, Fort Townsend and Dosewallips state parks in Jefferson County.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
