Imagine working peacefully in your garden, kayaking or fishing on a lake or pond, hiking or horseback riding on a back country trail or hunting anywhere in western Maine. Now imagine the sound of a low-flying condor military jet just 500 feet over your head. Now imagine a loon in the water, the deer in the woods or your kids picking blueberries or a pumpkin from one of the many farm patches also in western Maine. I don’t see how anyone can say with a straight face that lowering minimum test-flight altitude requirements won’t have an impact on the quality of life here.

Unfortunately, that’s exactly what the National Guard asserts in its Environmental Impact Study of its proposal to lower minimum test flight requirements in Western Maine. Comments at the public hearing in Farmington last week regarding the study were exceptional. Once again, concerned people of western Maine stood together to voice their concerns in a genuine effort to protect and preserve the splendor and quality of life that has brought and kept them here.

Most were familiar with the study and nearly everyone who spoke expressed sincere gratitude to the Guard for the service it provides in safeguarding Maine people and protecting our nation. It’s clear, however, there are many people who are concerned about the proposal to lower minimum altitude requirements in the area and who are deeply disturbed and disappointed by conclusions made in the so-called Environmental Impact Study (EIS) regarding the proposal.

Indeed, the EIS falls short in adequately addressing concerns raised. Its assertions that the proposal “would not contribute to significant cumulative effects on land use or the tourism industry; nor would it produce any significant noise, health or safety impacts” borderlines absurdity. Not only is the statement subjective, the report does nothing to quantify how it came to such a conclusion.

People who commented on the study provided specific explanations as to the reason for their opposition and questioned the validity of conclusions offered. Concerns were numerous, and justified. The study fails to adequately address all species of wildlife that likely would be affected; concerns about noise and safety impacts, worries about the lack of attention given the Penobscot Nation, and recreational and other natural resources, including the Appalachian Trail were not taken seriously in the study.

People who commented truly had seriously looked at the study (or lack there of); and were sincere in asking the Guard to take them seriously; that is go back to the drawing board and, as a result of genuine concern for Western Maine and people living here, withdraw the proposal as it previously was in the past.

It’s not too late to voice your opinion about the study. The comment deadline has been extended through Jan. 1, 2010. You can send your comments in a letter or e-mail to Major Stephen Lippert, NGB/A7AM, Program Manager, 3500 Fetchet Ave., Andrews Air Force Base, MD 20762-5157, [email protected]; or Lt. Col. Mike Milord at National Guard Bureau Public Affairs, Jefferson Plaza 1, 1411 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Ste 11200, Arlington, VA, 20222. [email protected]. Contact your Congressional representatives to let them know how you feel and urge them to help. You can get information about the proposal and the EIS at www.westernmainematters.org. Now is truly the time to share your voice and make a difference.

Ann Woloson lives with her family in Belgrade Lakes and ran for State Senate in District 18 during the 2008 election.