Commissioners galvanize opposition to military flights

Board receives plethora of comments against DUKE MOA

LOCK HAVEN – The Clinton County commissioners said the proposal to significantly expand low-level military flights proposed over the northern part of the county and throughout much of the PA WILDS by the Maryland Air National Guard is "unacceptable" because of many concerns and potential adverse effects have yet to be addressed.

The three commissioners, Jeff Snyder, Angela Harding and Miles Kessinger, on Wednesday submitted formal comments to the agency overseeing the proposal, formally known as the Duke Low Military Operations Area (MOA) over portions of Clinton, Potter, McKean, Elk and Tioga counties.

The MOA, if approved, would allow the Maryland ANG and at least three other wings to facilitate low-altitude training -- as low as 100 feet above ground -- for two hours a day, up to 272 days a year. The proposal would also authorize New Jersey and D.C. wings to fly F16s, in addition to A10s. In addition, other ANG units across the country could request the airspace. The Maryland ANG estimates as much as 272 days of use and include various military aircraft, including F22s and F35s. If approved, ANG would control the airspace and who flies in it.

With their own comments, commissioners submitted a petition signed by dozens of camp owners who say the plan will "irreparably harm our area, drastically reduce our abundant wildlife, eroding the sense of safety on which we depend for our well-being, and diminishing the tourism industry we've been working so hard to create."

Further, they said the "beauty and serenity of our area contribute to the rural character of this county, a precious resource we are not ready to surrender."

The commissioners also submitted a lengthy list of letters from constituents who oppose the plan. Among them is the Western Clinton Sportsmen Club, which believe a "the present flyovers are justified and do not negatively impact the flyover area," but the new plan will produce more air flights of military aircraft in a much greater number than currently exists."

Further, the WCSC, which represents hundreds of sportsmen and women, said the plan impacting a five-county region will "lessen the influx of tourists due to the noise level and other districtions" as the county and related agencies have "worked very hard to use PA WILDS as a draw for our area. Many tourists come to this region year-round to enjoy the scenic quality and participate in outdoor recreation. This means more business and income for businesses."

Resident Joan Heller said she retired to Central Pennsylvania "for peace and quiet," but military planes "have buzzed my neighborhood. It is frightening and loud enough to cause hearing loss." She goes on to say the plan "is disastrous" for people, livestock and wild animals."

Patricia Hancock wrote that her husband, Zach, is a disabled veteran with severe PTSD. Their home, she said, is in the middle of a large property "because of peace and quiet" but the sound of low-flying jets and helicopters "throw him into flashbacks." She said it's "pure torture" to him.

Dean Bottorf, a former two-term commissioner, wrote that "Duke MOA looks to be the unfortunate rebirth of Antler MOA. Antler was defeated and for good reason. Here in Clinton County, for example, people from every state in the U.S.A. visit and fly in the proposed MOA. A little research would tell you that this area is the home of Piper Aircraft. Additionally, decades of funding and work on tourism in the PA Wilds has paid off. The proposed MOA is not uninhabited, it is a vibrant community filled with trails, biking, hunting, camping, fishing, snowmobiling. It's a paradise visited by thousands yearly. Oh, and people live here, too. It won't be given up easily. Pressure is building."

Moreover, Don Houser, writing on behalf of BHE GT&S and its operating company, Eastern Gas Transmission & Storage, questioned the plans impact on natural gas transmission.

"I write to offer our comments on the recently released draft, 'Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact,' on the potential impacts associated with the modification of the Duke Military Operations Area (MOA) in Pennsylvania and New York to establish low altitude airspace for the 175th Wing (175 WG), Maryland ANG A-10C Squadron.

"EGTS provides natural gas transportation and storage services with one of the largest underground natural gas storage systems in the United States. We safely operate nearly 4,000 miles of pipeline and more than 985,000 horsepower of compression in six states: Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, and Virginia. We reliably supply natural gas for large customers, such as major utilities and power plants, and to local distribution companies to heat homes and run small businesses. EGTS operates 17 underground storage fields with 756 Bcf of total operated design storage capacity and 420 Bcf of working gas capacity. The company has numerous links to other major pipelines and can access markets in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions of the United States.

"We find that the study failed to include adverse impacts to the safe and reliable transmission of natural gas. These negative impacts will result in the disruption of reliable interstate natural gas transportation from natural gas storage facilities located in Clinton, Potter and Tioga Counties operated by EGTS, which serve customers of EGTS and other interstate natural gas pipeline operators who store natural gas in these facilities. Among the many safety protocols in place to ensure safe and reliable operations at our storage facilities,

"EGTS uses sound detection devices at remote locations, such as those impacted by this proposal, that alert us of pressure relief valve malfunctions. Low level flights would most certainly and consistently cause these safety sound detection devices to activate, which then may cause Emergency Shut Down protocols (which include calls to the County 911 Center) to be activated. This negatively impacts reliable natural gas service to end users in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New England regions and international markets."

Dozens of other letter writers voiced similar concerns as they stated their emphatic opposition to the proposal.

The commissioners wrote a letter to Kristi Kucharek at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. They previously wrote to Lt. Col. Christopher Mayor at Joint Base Andrews. All their letters were copied to state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz, Sen. Cris Dush, U.S. Reps. Fred Keller and Glenn Thompson, along with Pennsylvania U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and Pat Toomey.

Here is a significant part of what they said:

"The Clinton County Board of Commissioners has previously written in regard to the proposed plans to modify the Duke Military Operations Airspace to provide for low altitude training flights. Both of our earlier letters are enclosed for your reference. As the response period will be coming to an end in a few days, the Board of Commissioners continues to have deep concerns regarding this plan. We do not feel that a thorough review of the environmental impact this change would have on Clinton County and the Pennsylvania Wilds has been done. We are enclosing copies of the many letters and emails that the Commissioners have received from our citizens and County visitors who are opposed to the plan. We ask you to take the time to read and consider these concerns from our local people.

"The Commissioners would like to express our continued opposition to this proposal, until and unless a full Environmental Impact Study is conducted, and public town hall meetings have been held to allow the public to provide testimony and express their local concerns on the MOA's potential impacts. Although we support the military and the need for maintaining a well-trained flying force, we feel that another location would better suit your needs, and have less impact on our local environment. We feel the impacts on tourism in this area (a vital part of the local economy), wildlife (a large elk herd inhabits this area along with many other native species), wild and scenic waterways, and quality of life for our residents could only be negative. Hunters, anglers, hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts flock to this part of our County to enjoy the wild and untouched areas with which we are so blessed.

"In addition to the negative impacts on the vital tourism industry, we feel that the proposed change to the MOA would severely impact the airspace of our many local aviators, the local airport, and annual aviation events that have long been a part of our area. Further, we have concerns regarding the dangers this plan may place on the natural gas transmission and storage infrastructure that exists underground in Northern Clinton County. Our Department of Emergency Services would likely be called upon for any response needed should an emergency occur involving any aircraft or injuries on the ground, and we have concerns about the County's response obligations, LifeFlight access to the area, and communication systems that would need to be available.

"We hope that you will consider putting the final decision on hold until all concerns are heard and considered through a public town hall process."