Noise, wetland loss main environmental costs of F-35 jets

FAIRBANKS — People who live close to Eielson Air Force Base will be awakened about 23 percent more than now if new F-35 jet fighters are stationed there, but that’s among the worst consequences of adding the planes, according to an environmental report on the F-35 basing decision.  

Interior elected leaders have long touted the economic benefits of the expansion of Eielson Air Force Base that would accompany basing the Air Force’s newest fighter in the North Pole area starting in 2019. A government-required review released this week illustrates some of the negative consequences of adding more airmen and planes to the base.  

The Air Force Civil Engineer Center posted the draft environmental study online Friday at www.pacaf-f35aeis.com. 

It’s open for public comment for 45 days and will be the subject of three public hearings this month: Sept. 21 at North Pole High School, Sept. 22 at Delta Junction High School and Sept. 3 at West Valley High School in Fairbanks. 

In most categories, adding the new planes would make only small changes to the Air Force Base’s current environmental footprint, according to the report. Two areas highlighted were noise, which will “increase noticeably,” and wetlands. About 13 acres of wetlands would have to be removed for the new construction. 

Other findings of the Draft Environmental Impact Study include: 

• It’s anticipated the two squadrons of F-35s will increase the Fairbanks North Star Borough population by 2.7 percent by bringing 2,765 airmen, civilians and family members to the Interior.

• Thirty-eight buildings would be constructed or modified to accommodate the F-35s. Construction over the next five years associated with F-35s would inject $453 million into the local economy.

• The planes would more than double the total number of actions on the airfield, including takeoffs, landings, low approaches, and other pattern work, to 45,069 actions per year. The report concluded the base can accommodate this level of activity.  

• The new planes would put less than a ton of particulate pollution known as PM2.5, into the air each year. That’s less than one-hundredth of what’s considered the “threshold” limit for this type of pollution. 

• Sound levels are expected to be 6 decibels louder than status quo at on-base housing, 5 decibels louder in Moose Creek and 1 decibel louder at Chena Lake State Recreation Area. 

• There are expected to be 1,800 “nighttime disturbance events” per year because of aircraft noise with the new planes, an increase of 23 percent from the status quo.

Eielson hasn’t been confirmed as the home for the new F-35, but it’s the only base under consideration for the two squadrons the Air Force plans to base in the Asia-Pacific region. 

Original article can be found here:  http://www.newsminer.com