A federal judge ruled Aug. 2 that the U.S. Navy’s environmental review process for expanding Growler jet use on Whidbey Island illegally failed to analyze the noise impacts of low-flying jets on classroom learning and birds, did not properly consider the greenhouse gas impacts of Growler fuel use and did not adequately consider moving operations to El Centro, California, all violating the National Environmental Policy Act.

Judge Richard A. Jones supported without changes the NEPA challenge brought by the plaintiffs – the state of Washington and Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve (COER) an...