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The N.C. Department of Justice says it will be an ally to northeastern North Carolina in its fight against the U.S. Navy's proposed Outlying Landing Field.

A letter from the Attorney General's office to U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, a Farmville Republican, indicates the department would enforce laws by which the state would retain some jurisdiction over lands seized for an OLF in counties that do not already have military bases. That would allow the counties to enforce noise ordinances, for example, on the Navy.

"Without full jurisdiction over property acquired for an OLF, it appears that the Navy would have difficulty in operating a military base," wrote Chief Deputy Attorney General Grayson Kelley. "The Attorney General's office will therefore continue to carefully monitor all legal issues related to the OLF siting process and be prepared to act as necessary to protect the economy and environment of eastern North Carolina."

The Navy is considering sites in Camden and Gates counties for a nighttime practice landing field for its pilots from Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach. Camden and Gates residents have opposed the Navy's proposals.

The U.S. Navy said today it will study two sites in northeastern North Carolina and three in Virginia for a landing field where aircraft carriers pilots can practice takeoffs and landings.

The Navy said it was abandoning further consideration of its preferred site, which straddles Washington and Beaufort counties near a national wildlife refuge, reports Wade Rawlins. That site drew vigorous opposition from many local residents, environmentalists and the state's top political leaders.

The sites in North Carolina to be considered are Hale's Lake in Camden and Currituck counties and Sandbanks in Gates County.

They are within about 50 miles of Naval Air Station Oceana, where the fighter jet squadrons would be based.

But local officials in both counties as well as state leaders have expressed opposition to locating the airfield in the counties.

State Senate leader Marc Basnight of Manteo issued an immediate statement vowing to continue to oppose the sites.

"For nearly a decade, Senator Basnight has opposed the Navy's efforts to build an OLF in northeastern North Carolina," said Schorr Johnson, a spokesman for Basnight. "He has said that locating an OLF in a rural, economically distressed is absolutely unacceptable. With today's disappointing news, Senator Basnight vows to continue to fight on behalf of families who have worked this land for generations."

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole said she was discouraged by the Navy's failure to consult with local leaders in Camden, Currituck and Gates counties. She said she would oppose the Navy's efforts to acquire any site that lacks broad local support.

The Navy plans to gather public comments in the spring on the sites.

Proposals to establish a transfer tax on real estate sales were shot down by voters in several North Carolina counties today.

Voters in Graham, Hoke, Gates, Washington, Davie and Union counties voted down the tax, according to unofficial totals.

Update: With 16 of 19 precincts reporting in Chatham County, 6,850 people voted against the transfer tax referendum and 3,133 voted for it, according to unofficial totals.