{"id":27877,"date":"2020-02-27T21:09:09","date_gmt":"2020-02-27T21:09:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/02\/27\/seals-want-to-expand-training-in-washingtons-state-parks\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:27:36","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:27:36","slug":"seals-want-to-expand-training-in-washingtons-state-parks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2020\/02\/27\/seals-want-to-expand-training-in-washingtons-state-parks\/","title":{"rendered":"SEALs want to expand training in Washington\u2019s state parks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Navy wants to expand the number of Washington state parks available for SEAL training, but some advocacy groups are pushing back amid fears it will spoil the public\u2019s enjoyment of the natural spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SEALs are allowed to train in five western Washington parks under a system that\u2019s been in place for more than 30 years. But under a proposal<\/a> being considered by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission<\/a>, the number of available parks would expand to 29.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Navy\u2019s current five-year state permit to conduct the training expires May 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Puget Sound<\/a>, including the Hood Canal<\/a> and the southwest Washington coast, provide unique and diverse coastal and tidal conditions that allow SEALs the chance to train for cold water operations in a realistic and challenging environment, Sheila Murray, a spokeswoman for Navy Region Northwest, said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expanding the number of sites would allow training teams to use each site less frequently, she said. Parks would not have to close for the training and support personnel would be on hand during each event to interact with the public, if necessary, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\t