CONGRATULATIONS, TUCSON FORWARD!
Citizens Can Make a Difference. Ordinary citizens obtained an EIS for the ANG Operation Snowbird program, a training program that operates out of Davis-Monthan AFB. This is an example of what citizens can achieve for the F-35.
Below are the words from a citizen letter of 11/20/08 to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates complaining about the significant changes to the type and number of aircraft that are included in the Air National Guard’s Operation Snowbird which flies out of D-M over the City of Tucson. Approximately 500 Tucsonans signed this letter that was faxed to the Secretary’s office. Many here felt that the lack of an EIS addressing these changes that impact the resident’s safety and quality of life was a violation of NEPA, the National Environmental Protection Act.
“We badly need some senior, non-AF personnel, with flight experience, perhaps under the DOD Inspector General, to assess the situation here in an unbiased way and propose remedies. This would include the 1978 promises made by the AF, the safety of having Snowbird aircraft flying at low levels over heavily populated urban areas, the impact on resident safety and quality-of-life and the feasibility of alternative or auxiliary airfields.”
In addition to the letter above, there was also correspondence from citizen legal counsel. One letter attached.
A letter (to follow) was sent to his congressman by a MCRC neighborhood rep who had seen no progress from this group in the two years he served on the committee. He points out in his letter that the EIS for Operation Snowbird is 31-years old. He also points out a possible violation of NEPA. See the response (to follow) from Major Gen. Byers promising that a study would be done. The MCRC never voted to recommend that a study of any kind or an EIS should be done for Operation Snowbird.
Although it has been known for some time that an EIS for Operation Snowbird would have to be done, it was only officially announced at the MCRC meeting on Wednesday, July 14, 2010. The Air Force would like to take credit for initiating the Wyle study which called for this EIS, but the credit goes to the citizens who noted the change in aircraft, followed through in researching the aircraft and the expansion of the Operation Snowbird campus at D-M. A BIG thank you goes to those who spent countless hours sending E-mails, writing and editing the letters and gathering almost five hundred signatures. They went door-to-door. They took the letter to the UA campus and to local events to gather citizen signatures. The City of Tucson gave them no help or support.
Our only hope is that the Operation Snowbird activity during the EIS process will reflect the true operations of this program. It is noted that at the recent MCRC meeting, it was announced that the F-22s that were scheduled to be part of OSB, have been cancelled. They can produce sonic booms as can the F-35s. We hope that the assessment will be an honest one.
See E-mail from Scott Hines below. Slide #4 attached.
From: 355 FW/CL Community Liaison <355FW.CL@dm.af.mil>
To: 355 FW/CL Community Liaison <355FW.CL@dm.af.mil>
Sent: Fri, Jul 16, 2010 7:44 am
Subject: 14 Jul MCRC DM Update
MCRC Members and Advisory,
For those unable to attend Wednesday evening I wanted to ensure you too received the DM Update.
Of note is slide #4:
Environmental Assessment Operation Snowbird
The Air Force recognizes the concerns of Operation Snowbird by the citizens of Tucson. To address those concerns, Air Combat Command has initiated an Environment Impact Analysis Process (EIAP) on OSB.
ACC, before the end of this Fiscal Year (1 Oct 10), plans to contract with the Army Corps of Engineers for the conduct of an
Environmental Assessment of OSB.
Wyle the public release of the Wyle Study on OSB is still pending completion of Higher Headquarters review, we are pleased to notify all that the EIAP has already begun.
DM appreciates your patience.
Regards…Scott
Scott Hines
355th Fighter Wing Liaison
(520) 228-5060 , DSN 228
(520) 204-4849 Cell
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