MEXICO – People will have a chance to learn about and comment on a proposal to allow military jets to fly as low as 500 feet above the ground in Western Maine at 6 p.m. today at Mountain Valley Middle School.

The local meeting is one of at least three that will be held in the region to receive public input.

Maj. Michael J. Backus, public affairs officer with the Maine National Guard, said Col. Don McCormack, chief of staff for the Maine Air National Guard, and several military personnel from the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C., will make brief presentations on the proposal, then field questions.

The proposal reduces the lowest level military planes can fly from 2,300 feet to 500 feet during military tactical and intercept training, Backus said. The public informational meetings are required as part of a draft environmental assessment.

“We’re trying to disperse training over a larger area,” he said.

For training purposes, Western Maine consists of Franklin, Oxford and Somerset counties.

Backus said public comment will be taped during the informational meetings. Written comments will also be taken until May 14.

Other informational meetings are scheduled for Thursday at Moscow Elementary School and May 2 at a place to be determined in Rangeley.