Common Council

F-35A Environmental Impact Statement

Dear Neighbors, 

When the draft F-35A Environmental Impact Statement came out last week, I was in the hospital with my wife welcoming our new baby into the world. 

Since then, I've read the report thoroughly and I am in a position to express my thoughts on the report.

First, I am pro-economic development, particularly when it benefits the Northside. Bringing more business to the Northside and retaining existing business is a priority of mine and Truax provides a substantial amount of jobs / plays an important role in the economic development of the Northeast side and Madison as a whole. 

However, with that being said, after reading the report, I have genuine concerns about the one hundred thirty-two households and 292 persons located in the 70-75 decibel (DB) Day/Night Sounds level (DNL). According to the report, this housing will be "incompatible absent an exception" which to my understanding suggests that housing will be incompatible for households located in that area. 

I am investigating possibilities to protect and help communities and residents around Truax, especially low income communities who have less access to advocates working on their behalf. The week of August 19th, I am meeting with Truax officials and several other alders to discuss our concerns and get answers. I will keep you all posted.

As a community, there are several steps you can take to provide feedback on this report:

- You can read the report in full detail here: http://www.angf35eis.com/Resources/Documents/Draft_F-35A_EIS_Executive_Summary_August_2019.pdf

• You can reach out to me
• You can reach out to the mayor's office
• You can reach out to other alders/the common council office
• You can reach ou to Dane County Board of Supervisors 

I also encourage residents to attend the public meeting organized by the National Guard Bureau (NGB) on:

Date: Thursday, September 12th, 2019

Time: 5 PM to 8 PM 

Where: Exhibition Hall at Alliant Energy Center 

1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison, WI

I am in agreement with Alder Rummel who has asked our mayor's office to take the lead in determining who is directly impacted by the noise contour map provided in the draft EIS and potentially subject to displacement and also request the Mayor to coordinate a discussion at the city level about the impacts of siting the new F-35As at Truax.

Again, if you want to read the report, you can access it here: http://www.angf35eis.com/Resources/Documents/Draft_F-35A_EIS_Executive_Summary_August_2019.pdf