UPDATED BELOW with comments from Burlington City Attorney Eileen Blackwood.
The Vermont National Guard announced last night that the Air Force will delay for several months its decision on basing F-35 fighter planes at Burlington International Airport so it can consider newer census data on the number of people that would be impacted by jet noise.
In a press release issued Wednesday evening, the Guard said the final decision on basing F-35s would be delayed until “spring 2013” so the Air Force can update the environmental impact statements (EIS) to include 2010 census data for all six locations under consideration to host the world’s most expensive weapons system.
“At the time the Air Force began the EIS process, 2010 census data were not available for all six locations,” read the Guard statement. “The Air Force is committed to producing the most accurate EIS possible, so decision makers have the best information available to make an informed decision.”
Meanwhile, a lawyer representing F-35 opponents said he’s preparing a petition to block the potential basing by forcing a voter referendum in Burlington that would effectively starve the airport of needed funding. Bristol attorney James DuMont said a rarely invoked section of the Burlington city charter requires voter approval for the airport’s construction and maintenance budget. He wants to put a ballot question to voters some time this spring that says, “so long as F-35 jets are regularly based” at BTV, money for construction, equipment and improvement shall not exceed $1 — effectively depriving the airport, and the Guard, of the funds they need to operate.
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Just because she is a retired Air Force Col. doesn’t mean she has to agree with the proposed F-35’s coming to our neighborhoods…your reasoning doesn’t make sense. You must be a Guard member….