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Boat parade sends ‘No OLF’ message
Published Saturday, June 13, 2009
WINTON – Perhaps as local residents, we take for granted the natural beauty of the Chowan River.
But what would happen if that eye-appealing waterway became inaccessible due to pollution? What if a serene day on the river was constantly interrupted by low flying military jets?
Could either of the aforementioned possibilities have an impact on the recreational tourism of the river? Could either impact possible real estate or business development along the banks of the Chowan? What about the impact on commercial fishing?
All of these are questions currently left unanswered by the possibility of the U.S. Navy building an Outlying Landing Field (OLF) in the Sand Banks area of Gates County. Included in the OLF’s contour is 435 acres of the Chowan River.
On Saturday, Citizens Against OLF sponsored a boat parade on the river in an effort to heighten awareness to the beauty of this historic waterway. From small vessels to large pontoons, a flotilla of 25 boats made their way upstream from Shoup’s Landing. Most carried anti-OLF messages as the group made a collective statement about the importance the river has on the Gates and Hertford County area.
“We wanted to raise public awareness to the environmental concerns that an OLF will have on the Chowan River,” said Laura Dickerson, spokesperson for Citizens Against OLF.
T.C. and Debra Vaughan led the flotilla in their vintage fishing boat.
Along the way, local Gates County commercial fisherman Bud Eure said the OLF locating in the Sand Banks would negatively impact his way to make a living.
“We’d rather see the boats enjoying the water than the jets flying overhead,” Gates County Commissioner Wade Askew said.
Meanwhile, the Navy is moving forward in its plans to build an OLF. Other than Gates, the Navy is looking at sites in Camden County as well as a trio of Virginia locations – Southampton, Surry and Sussex counties.
A draft environmental impact study is due in August on each of the five sites.
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Comments
Posted by soldier_from_ahoskie (anonymous) on June 13, 2009 at 10:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i dont know why people dont want the OLF. im in the military and whenever i see a jet flying low i see it as they are up there keeping us safe. so theres a little bit of noise. everything makes noise. what about all the trucks that have custom exhaust they make noise. or construction equipment, they make noise also.
Posted by petepkp (anonymous) on September 25, 2009 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i believe the residents do not understand what the navy is going thru trying to keep proficiency in flying. Residents ought to realize by having the Out Laying Field they are helping the navy keep their efficiency in flying which in the long run has to help the security of this nation. Their will be benefits and yes, the noise will be there when the planes come over river. But just think, when you hear or see them, they are working at keeping you safe so that you can enjoy your river to fish or just sight see.
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