WESTERN MAINE –- Last month the Maine House and Senate overwhelmingly passed a resolution petitioning the Maine Congressional Delegation to oppose the Massachusetts Air National Guard proposal to lower its training altitude from 7,000 to 500 feet over an area stretching from Coos County, N.H., across Oxford and Franklin counties and into Somerset County. The Military Operations Area is known as Condor 1 and Condor 2.

The resolution asked the Maine Delegation to request a Federal Aviation Administration delay in approving the proposed airspace and asked the FAA to hold a public hearing in Maine.

“The major problems are the low altitude of the jets, the potential of an increase in flights, the existing small private aircraft flights in the area and the increased noise levels that will disturb agriculture and wildlife, the serenity of the area, and the quality of life for both residents and tourists, the resolution states.

The legislature agreed that the Mass. ANG’s draft environmental impact statement for these flights is incomplete and fails to meet minimum standards for adequate research and publication, containing errors, omissions and unsupported conclusions related to flight safety, environmental damage and quality of life, the resolution stated.

The resolution also pointed to economic reports relating to “quality of place” and how noise from military aircraft was not addressed in relation to these reports.

Former military pilot and Strong resident Tom Maukaka issued a statement re- garding the truthfulness of the process.

“To date, not one word of testimony has been made under oath. The Mass ANG and their hired contractor Environmental Resource Management can, and have, made false, illogical, and disingenuous statements without any fear of cross examination under oath,” Mauzaka said in a statement.

“In the entire process thus far, the residents of the effected area have not had the opportunity to address the FAA directly. All our comments are filtered by the Mass ANG. It is a fundamental principle of justice that we be heard before the individuals that will rule on the EIS on a level playing field,” Mauzaka said.

Last week the Maine Delegation in Washington D.C. reacted and released the following statement:

“U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins and Representatives Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree today sent a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration urging the agency to hold a hearing in Maine regarding the Massachusetts Air National Guard’s proposal to expand and lower the flight level for Condor 1 and Condor 2 flight training areas over Western Maine.

“We strongly urge the FAA to hold a public hearing in Maine as part of its review of the proposal to lower Condor flight levels over Western Maine,” said Snowe, Collins, Michaud and Pingree in a joint statement. “Holding a hearing in Maine would help ensure that local residents and other stakeholders have the opportunity to voice their concerns directly to aviation officials.”

The statement said the delegation has been working together in response to constituents in Western Maine who have expressed concerns about the potential impact the proposed flight level changes could have on the region.

“The last time this proposal was made in the 90’s, the FAA came to listen directly to the people,” Mauzaka said.

“I thank the delegation for their continued support,” Saviello said, “and listening to our concerns about the process.” He added that he truly hoped the FAA will respond accordingly and listen to the people of the State of Maine.