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Journal North: Home | Sports | Opinion | Obits | Entertainment
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Council To Consider Support for Flyover Training
By Kiera Hay
Journal Staff Writer
Breaking from its neighbors, the Santa Fe City Council is set to consider next week a resolution supporting — with conditions — an Air Force proposal to create a low-altitude tactical navigation (LATN) area in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado.
The measure marks a flip-flop of sorts. City Councilor Rebecca Wurzburger last month introduced a resolution opposing the flyovers — a stance in line with that taken by Santa Fe, Taos and Rio Arriba counties, among others, as well as the city's own Public Works Committee. Wurzburger withdrew the resolution at last week's City Council meeting.
The newest version supports establishing a LATN "only if" an environmental assessment is done to identify and mitigate potential impacts on the region, including on noise levels and air quality.
"The governing body of the city of Santa Fe supports the best possible training opportunities for the armed forces of the United States," the new resolution said. "The governing body of the city of Santa Fe supports an environmental assessment that determines the potential environmental and socioeconomic consequences of the proposed LATN training area in Northern New Mexico."
"It really felt it was important (the resolution) addressed all of our community's concerns in the environmental process rather than just say, 'No, we don't want you to train,' " Santa Fe Mayor Davis Coss said. "I do want an airman or airwoman to get the best training they can if they're going to Afghanistan."
Coss said he discussed his concerns with Wurzburger. Both are sponsors of the new measure.
Air Force officials have said the flight training, to be done out of Cannon Air Force Base near Clovis, includes approximately three flights per day, almost always after dusk, using C-130 and CV-22 Osprey aircraft. Some of the approximately 700 flights per year would go as low as 200 feet above the ground.
Cannon officials are currently seeking public input to help flesh out plans for a federally required environmental assessment "to evaluate the potential environmental consequences" of establishing the proposed LATN. Subjects of interest include airspace operations and biological, cultural and human resources.
"Your comments will help shape the proposal and focus the environmental analysis," Cannon's website said. Santa Fe's resolution, if passed by the City Council, will act as the city's "comments" for this part of the process, Coss said. The Air Force's deadline is Nov. 15.
A draft of the assessment will probably be available in the spring, according to Cannon officials. After another public comment period and revisions, a final environmental assessment will be published.
Two outcomes are possible: The LATN will have "no significant impact" on the environment; or a more extensive environmental impact statement must be developed — a process that could take years.
City Councilor Chris Calvert, an Air Force veteran and former pilot, said he plans to sign on as a sponsor of the new resolution.
But Calvert said he wants to amend the measure to clear up what he sees as common misconceptions about the proposal. They include the idea that planes will fly right over Santa Fe — Air Force officials have said populated areas will be off-limits, Calvert noted — and that low-to-the-ground flights would result from the LATN. The Air Force can already do those kinds of flights, he said.
"We can't be hypocritical and say, 'We appreciate what you do but we're going to get in the way or interfere with you getting the best training you can.' We have to balance the two things," Calvert said.
As a member of the Public Works Committee, Calvert approved the resolution opposing the LATN, though he did express concerns at the time. Both he and Coss said they've discussed the issue with Cannon officials.
The new resolution is scheduled for review by the Public Works Committee on Monday and the full City Council on Wednesday.
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