Comments to the National Guard matter! That was the message from elected officials on Monday night at Hawthorne Elementary School (video included if you missed it) and the public did speak out! Excellent overview from Retired Colonel Rosanne Greco from S. Burlington VT. Updates from Safe Skies Clean Water Coalition included.
Here’s the full video
It’s a long video, so here’s just the video of Retired Colonel Rosanne Greco
Here’s the videos of the elected officials and Brandi Grayson who lives on the northside and is VERY impacted by the threat of F35s coming to Madison.
If I’m feeling better, a short summary video or two to follow.
Here’s the Updates from Safe Skies Clean Water group with info on how to submit your comments by Friday!
We are making progress, and we will stand together as a community, even as we face the short deadline to get our comments in on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Rep. Chris Taylor has sent a letter to the Air Force asking for a 60 day extension of the EIS comment (see attached). and Rep. Mark Pocan has done this as well – BUT WE CAN’T COUNT ON AN EXTENSION!
Send your comments by Friday one of these ways:
– Online: http://www.angf35eis.
– Or surface mail postmarked by Friday to:
F-35A EIS Project ManagerNGB/A4AMShepperd Hall3501 Fetchet AvenueJoint Base Andrews MD 20762-5157
EIS Comment Sheet attached to use if you like.
Why was outreach not conducted in the 65 decibel DNL in the languages of the people who live there. Not just English – Hmong, Spanish, at the very least.
Why were no public meetings held except far away from the affected area and difficult to reach from the east and north sides on public transportation?
Colonel Greco provided great insight into issues our EIS does not address or address adequately:
Noise
The noise affects people whether they “like” it or not. What are the effects of noise at this level on human organs including the heart? How much of the time does that effect reverse when exposure stops?
What will the actual decibel levels of the F35s taking off in afterburner be? Given the length of our runway, how is it realistic that afterburners would only be used to lift these heavy planes 5% of the time?
Considering children – what is the peak decibel level in afterburner and just military power for ALL schools in the flight path regardless of whether they are inside the noise contour?
Mitigation
How can noise be mitigated when people are outside?
What is the realistic timeline for applying for and receiving funds for home improvements such as insulation? How long would it take for homes in the 65 dB DNL to receive these improvements? What does the timeline look like?
Nuclear Mission
When would F35s based at Truax get the Block 4 upgrade that all F 35A planes will have to bring them to nuclear capacity?
Has the mission of the 115th Fighter Wing ever changed in the past? Could it change to have a nuclear mission in the future? Would you tell the public if it does?
The F35 is offensive, first strike. How does basing F35s here make Madison a target of US enemies?
How is the risk of us being targeted increase compared to when we just have a defensive force?
What would be the area of impact for a retaliatory strike on Truax? If nuclear? If with conventional weapons?
What measures will the city have to take to offset the impact of the F 35s?
Economic issues
Who will do F35A maintenance? If it will be done by Lockheed Martin contractors, not ANG, how many jobs will be lost? How many jobs will be lost because of F35s having only one pilot?
Where is the assessment of the economic impact to the city and on services of lost property tax revenue, as property values decline in the 65+ decibel areas?
How would property taxes In other parts of the city be affected to make up the loss? And provide services at the same level?
What is the economic impact on the school district with the schools in the flight path but not qualifying for mitigation?
Toxic contamination
When will the military clean up the PFAS compounds that forced the closure of Well 15? Clean up Starkweather Creek? The burn pits?
How can construction proceed to house the F35s when it would require digging up and spreading all this contaminated soil?
What are the most toxic compounds in the composite material in the stealth coating?
What precautions are necessary for people working with it? What precautions are necessary for storing it? How is it stored? What kind of accidents are possible with it and what would be the impact of an accident on the environment and on human health?
Safety
Crashes are most likely on take off and landing. Identify the homes and businesses most likely to be impacted by a crash and by toxic fumes/smoke from a resulting fire.
