Final F-35 Resolution

Joint resolution related to the conduct of collaborative hearings and the basing of the F-35A in Vermont

Offered by: Representative Cross of Winooski

Whereas, since 1946, the Vermont Air National Guard (VTANG) at the Burlington International Airport (BTV) has been an integral part of the Vermont National Guard family, and

Whereas, all Vermonters appreciate the dedication and sacrifice made by the many men and women who serve in or work for the VTANG, both those who are full-time and those who are part-time, and

Whereas, although Vermonters greatly appreciate the many contributions the VTANG has made to Vermont, the proposed basing of the F-35A fighter jets at BTV as a replacement for the currently based F-16 fighter jets raises significant noise issues that warrant the completion of a comprehensive collaborative hearing process prior to a final decision on F-35A basing at BTV, and

Whereas, the U.S. Air Force has prepared a draft Environmental Impact Statement (draft EIS) as part of the decision-making process for determining basing sites for the F-35A, and

Whereas, the statistics presented in the draft EIS were initially based on data from the 2000 U.S. Census, and

Whereas, the implementation of the F-35A proposal at BTV would result in a peak noise level of 115 decibels, which is four times louder than the current F-16 peak noise level, and

Whereas, there would be 2,944 homes and 6,675 persons located in the 65 decibel day-night average sound level contour zone, which is described as “generally not considered suitable for residential use,” and which includes more than half of the city of Winooski, and

Whereas, revised statistical estimates based on the 2010 U.S. Census increase the impacted population to 8,592 and the housing units to 4,200, and

Whereas, according to a December 19, 2012 Burlington Free Press article, slightly less than $39 million of federal funds was spent to purchase 136 residential properties in South Burlington that have been or are scheduled to be torn down because the noise level to which these properties are exposed exceeds the Federal Aviation Administration’s recommended maximum level, and

Whereas, the draft EIS included a scoring system of factors at each of the proposed F-35A bases, and

Whereas, with respect to air and noise standards, the U.S. Air Force awarded BTV the maximum three points for the clear zone category, which indicates there is no development within a specific distance of BTV even though this is not an accurate fact, and

Whereas, similarly, the 65 decibel day-night average sound level contour zone score of three indicates there is no development within this zone, even though the draft EIS, using 2000 U.S. Census data, estimated that 6,675 persons reside in this zone, and

Whereas, the City of Burlington, the Burlington Airport Commission, the Congressional Delegation, the Governor of Vermont, and the U.S. Air Force have refused to respond adequately to the many questions raised by both the South Burlington City Council and concerned citizens, and

Whereas, the General Assembly’s adoption of J.R.H. 51 occurred on May 12, 2010, a full 22 months before the draft EIS was released in March 2012, and one of the clauses in J.R.H. 51 provided:

Resolved: That the General Assembly encourages collaboration among the Vermont Air National Guard, the city of South Burlington, and other affected municipalities to identify and address environmental, health, housing, and workforce concerns, and

Whereas, the collaborative process that the General Assembly requested in J.R.H. 51 of 2010 has yet to occur, and

Whereas, this is only the first round of F-35A basing decisions, and according to the U.S. Air Force, there will be future rounds, and

Whereas, during a future round of F-35A basing decisions, considerably more data may be available regarding the impact of basing the F-35A in Vermont, and

Whereas, in a statement released on December 11, 2012, 16 members of the Vermont clergy recommended that “Vermont be removed from the first round of basing decisions so that we Vermonters can reach a consensus, based on clearing up so many of the questions that remain unanswered in the minds of many residents,” now therefore be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:

That the General Assembly agrees with the learned clergy’s advice and requests that Vermont be removed from consideration in this round of F-35A basing decisions, and be it further

Resolved: That in accordance with the General Assembly’s adoption of J.R.H. 51 of 2010, Joint resolution supporting the assignment of the F-35 aircraft to the Vermont Air National Guard, the General Assembly requests the U.S. Air Force, the Vermont Air National Guard, the City of South Burlington, the City of Winooski, the Town of Williston, and the City of Burlington to conduct collaborative hearings with concerned citizens on environmental, health, housing, and workforce issues related to the F-35A prior to the issuing of a final decision on basing F-35A fighter jets at Burlington International Airport, and be it further

Resolved: That the General Assembly respectfully requests that the collaborative hearing process provide detailed responses to all concerns that affected residents may raise, and be it further

Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to U.S. Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley; to the U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, General Mark A. Welsh III; to the Vermont National Guard Adjutant General, Brigadier General Thomas E. Drew; and to the Vermont Congressional Delegation.