FARMINGTON – Gov. John Baldacci continues to seek a full assessment on the environmental impact of military jet pilots flying training missions as low as 500 feet above Western Maine, state Rep. Tom Saviello of Wilton told people here Monday night.

Saviello and state Sen. Walter Gooley of Farmington hosted a meeting to inform constituents of the latest developments in the Massachusetts Air National Guard’s proposal to lower the flight ceiling from 2,800 to 500 feet in the Condor Military Operation Area above Franklin, Oxford and Somerset counties. About 15 people attended.

“A jet at 500 feet overhead you’re not going to forget,” said Tom Mauzaka of Strong, a retired military pilot with 30 years experience. “If this passes what else will follow?” he asked.

A final hearing on the proposal was held earlier this month by officers of Otis Air National Guard in Falmouth, Mass. For decades, F-15 Eagle pilots from the 102nd Fighter Wing stationed on Cape Cod and the F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots from the 158th Fighter Wing in Burlington, Vt., have used Western Maine airspace for maneuvers and practice dogfights. The jets typically travel at 350 to 450 mph.

The low-flight plan has been pushed for four years among the F-15 Eagle pilots, who train for their mission of air-to-air combat.

The proposal would allow both groups to fly low across an area bordered roughly from Greenville southwest to Sumner, west to Bethel, north along the Canadian border and east to Greenville.

Last year, more than 100 area residents voiced concerns over safety, noise and the future of the tourism-based economy being developed in the area to replace lost manufacturing jobs. The proposal was opposed in a show-of-hands vote, and a request was made that a full environmental impact statement be conducted.

Gov. John Baldacci has requested a full environmental impact study on the proposal, Saviello said Monday. While the time line is still unclear, the Air Force indicated a plan to submit an environmental assessment to the FAA next spring, Brig. Gen. L. Scott Rice told people earlier this month.

While the governor’s office expects the final environmental assessment to be completed in approximately 60 to 90 days, people can make comments now and up to 30 days after the assessment is released. After that, the assessment will go to the FAA, which makes the rules on airspace issues, Gooley reported from information he received from the governor’s office.

Some people support the proposal, Saviello said, while others are concerned about noise, local airports, farm animals and tourists at Saddleback, Sunday River and Sugarloaf ski and golf resorts.

In response, Gooley and Saviello agreed to initiate a legislative resolve and endorsed making comments to Maine Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. Saviello will also post more information about dates and contacts by e-mail.