F-35s, BRT, & Tunes on the Triangle - D15 Update 8/25/19

F-35s

I continue to receive questions and concerns about the proposal to bring F-35s to Truax Field. You can read my previous post for an overview.

Based on the information in the EIS, those living in the Carpenter-Ridgeway, Eken Park, Hawthorne, & Worthington Park neighborhoods will be most negatively impacted by the new aircraft. Everything inside the dark green line on the image above is expected to be greater than 65 dB Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL) if the F-35s replace the F-16s. 

Above 65dB DNL is considered incompatible with residential use. This means that the amount of noise pollution experienced over the course of a day, week, month, year will be significant enough to make the area unsuitable for people to live. When people do live in these areas, they can try to reduce the impact by adding insulation or keeping their windows closed at all times. These areas are considered suitable for things like manufacturing or other purposes, but not for living, due to the high amount of noise pollution.

The area between the dark green line and the dashed dark green line is the area that is suitable for residential use today, but is expected to be no longer suitable for residential use if the F-35s come to Truax.

The DNL level includes noise from commercial jet activity as well. But the significant increase of the high noise pollution exposure area is due primarily to the increased loudness of the F-35s as compared to the F-16s and secondarily to the increase in flight activity that is anticipated. According to the data in the EIS, the F-35s are 5-10 dBs louder than the F-16s (up to 125 dBA at 500 feet altitude during takeoff). Since humans perceive a doubling of noise intensity with every 10 dB increase, the F-35s are expeced to sound 50-100% louder than the F-16s.

The Open House at the Alliant Energy Center hosted by the National Guard Bureau will take place on September 12th at 5:00pm (the presentation begins at 6:30pm). As this is a decision that will be made by the National Guard Bureau and not the Madison Common Council, I strongly encourage those with concerns to submit them directly and to attend the meeting and share your concerns there.

I am continuing to gather information and will be preparing my own comment to submit on behalf of District 15 residents and will share that here once it's completed. I'd like to emphasize the importance of submitting your comments directly to the NGB and to consider contacting your U.S. Representatives with your concerns as well.

If you have any specific questions on this issue please send them my way and I will try and get answers for you.

In the news:

• GreenPower Program installs 12th solar array in City, Mayor 'flips the switch'
• Madison Municipal Building Achieves LEED© Platinum Certification
• Metro Transit Service Updates - Effective: Sunday, August 25
• Gallery Exhibition: "Phoenix from the Ashes"
• City Engineering launches podcast, new way to connect with residents
• Reduce, plan winter salt use, hire a salt certified applicator
• Equitable Development report begins City review process
• Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order #40 Relating to PFAS in Wisconsin

This week's highlights:

Monday, August 26, 2019

4:30 pm - Special Finance Committee Meeting: Finance Committee will go into closed session to discuss continued negotiations with Gebhardt for development of Block 88. You can read the Development Agreement Negotiation Status Report here.

5:30 pm - Plan Commission: Item 14 repeals Section 28.022 - 00117 of the Madison General Ordinances adopting the Campus Master Plan for Edgewood College, Edgewood High School and Edgewood Campus School.

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

4:30 pm - Water Utility Board: Item 5 is an update regarding poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS)

6:00 pm - Exploring Cooperative, Sustainable & Just Housing Possibilities: Can communal living be part of the solution for a just and sustainable world? Join us and a panel of Madison area experts in the fields of affordable, sustainable and cooperative/communal housing possibilities.

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

5:00 pm - Task Force on Government Structure Open House: Do you know when the City is making key decisions that will impact your neighborhood? Or who is making those decisions? Do you have the time, resources, or know-how to voice your opinion to City Government? The Task Force on Government Structure is asking these questions and others to find out if changes to city government structure could help make the City work more effectively for all of its residents, and, particularly, for residents of color and low income.

5:00 pm - Supervisor Audet Office Hours: Stop by Java Cat and ask any questions you have and share any feedback you've got. Hope to see you there!

Thursday, August 29, 2019

5:00 pm - Tunes on the Triangle: A fundraiser hosted by Seeds of Peace Madison featuring live music, food carts, and kids' activities benefiting the school nutrition programs of Schenk, Frank Allis, and Nuestro Mundo schools.

6:00 pm - Madison Bus Rapid Transit Planning Study: Public Meeting #3: Join us for a presentation and open house to learn more about draft recommended route and stop locations for the proposed East-West Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor.

Friday, August 30, 2019

5:30 pm - Dane Dances: Fantasy Band & Sounds of Slave R&B Band: Dane Dances! is a family friendly event on the stunning Monona Terrace rooftop every Friday evening in August.

7:00 pm - Konohana Kitan (anime): The Hawthorne Anime Club was created to give people a place to gather, watch, and talk about Japanese animation. Each meeting will include screenings of everything from classic titles to new releases. The club is aimed primarily at teens and adults. Films are shown in Japanese with English subtitles. Refreshments served at each meeting.

Saturday, August 31, 2019

6:15 am - Dane County Farmers Market: Grab your family, friends, and your reusable shopping bags and enjoy a Madison tradition!

Sunday, September 1, 2019

1:00 pm - September Sunday Walks: Fall Flowers in Grady Oak Savanna and Greene Prairie – meet at Grady Tract parking lot

1:30 pm - Bird & Nature Outing - Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park, North: Explore the beautiful trails of the North Unit through the woodlands, wetlands and restored prairies along the Yahara 'Catfish' River with a free, family-friendly guided nature walk.

Click on 'details' in the events below for links to additional details and meeting agendas. You can find a full list of city meetings here.

Subscribe to the District 15 Blog via the sidebar above to receive an email when new updates are published. If you have any questions or thoughts you can reach me at district15@cityofmadison.com