
Through some excellent document reporting, The Seattle Times reveals the stealthy efforts of the U.S. Navy to lock up thousands of acres of Puget Sound shoreline within its “sphere of influence.” Tactics have included paying far less than assessed value for Hood Canal shoreline property in order to avoid government detections. “When issues arise and you are uncomfortable with a gray area,” one official wrote to subordinates, “I will write you a ‘get out of jail card free.’ ”