Lawmakers weigh in on OLFs in N.C. counties

Two congressmen took different stances on a Navy jet airfield proposed for sites in Gates and Camden counties in letters sent Wednesday to the secretary of the Navy.

U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., wants Camden County removed from the Navy's list of sites proposed for an outlying landing field.

"Local opposition to the proposed site is overwhelming," Jones wrote. "Local officials, groups and citizens have voiced their concerns and I believe they are valid."

Jones did not mention the Gates County site, which is not in his district.

U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C., whose district includes Gates County, was not as firm.

"As the Navy initiates the scoping process to identify community concerns of the five proposed sites, I urge that the statements of local residents be afforded strong consideration," Butterfield said. "Nonetheless, it is my desire that this process produce a suitable OLF site."

A Gates County group opposing the OLF is planning to meet with Butterfield on Friday. Residents have stated environmental and noise hazards as reasons for their opposition.

"He has not been as strongly opposed to the OLF as we would like for him to be," said Renee McGinnis, a member of the Gates County contingent.

The letters were sent five days before the first of a series of public meetings planned by the Navy. The first will be Monday in Currituck County.

Other elected officials have also weighed in. State Sen. Marc Basnight, D-Dare, and state Rep. Bill Owens, D-Pasquotank, have stated opposition to an OLF in northeastern North Carolina no matter what incentives come with it.

Republican U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr oppose both sites if there is no local support.

"I question whether it is prudent for the Navy to move forward with additional studies on these contested sites - spending millions in taxpayer dollars and causing further emotional and financial tolls on the residents of northeastern North Carolina along the way," Dole wrote to Navy Secretary Donald Winter two weeks ago.

Camden County has hired Raleigh law firm Poyner & Spruill, which has assigned five attorneys with expertise in military affairs, government administration and environmental law. Currituck County has agreed to help pay the costs.

The proposed Camden County site lies near Moyock, the most populated and fastest-growing area in Currituck County and adjacent to security contractor Blackwater.

Gates County commissioners have not joined the coalition, but a residents group has been strongly opposed to an OLF. The Gates County site sits in a much more remote area.

The Navy announced in January that sites in Gates and Camden counties and three in Virginia would be studied over the next 30 months to see which one would be most suitable for an OLF.

Jeff Hampton, (252) 338-0159, jeff.hampton@pilotonline.com