Potential implementation of new F-35 jets cause noise pollution concerns in Madison, WI

 

Potential implementation of new F-35 Jets cause noise pollution concerns in Madison, WI 

To give some context behind this topic, The Wisconsin Air National Guard fighter jet unit is based out of Madison, WI and it appears eminent that they will change from their older F-16 fighter jet planes to new F-35 fighter jet planes (Jones, 2020). This change however does not come without some serious environmental concerns. The major concern from residents in the Madison, WI area is noise from these new jet planes. Madison residents, rightfully so I will add, are worried about the locations of their homes and schools due to noise pollution from F-35 jet planes.  

 I found it very sad when I read that more than a 1,000 homes could be considered "incompatible for residential use" and this is according to Meg Jones of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. This implementation of F-35 fighter jet planes will impact family life at home for people who live near the Wisconsin Air Guard base and I see this as a negative impact on family life in the Madison area community. Madison is a city that I think is a beautiful city and it would be sad and disappointing to see the natural environment in the city negatively impacted. I read in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal article, about a resident who lived in a home near where the Wisconsin Air National Guard currently has F-16 fighter jets and the resident said when these planes fly in the sky "he could not hear work conference calls in his own home" which is terrible to think noise pollution from planes has the ability to cause people to ineffectively work from home (Jones, 2020).  Just imagine what it would be like for this resident and other residents when louder planes fly overhead.  

 The first few F-35 jet planes are not expected to arrive in Madison, WI until April of 2023 and all 18 of these jet planes are expected to arrive in May of 2024 according to Meg Jones of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. So it is still a few years off till Madison residents have to truly worry about this potential new change. I can only believe the anticipation of these jet planes coming into Madison is causing Madison, WI residents anxiety. To give an idea of how loud F-35 jet planes are vs. the F-16 jet planes, the F-35 planes are 97-116 decibels vs. the F-16 planes which are 95-110 decibels and this is according to Meg Jones of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. A few decibels of sound may not seem like much but it makes a difference and not a positive difference. These decibel numbers are louder than lawn mowers but not nearly as loud as the loudest rock concerts according to Meg Jones of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. But still noise louder than a lawn mower is a lot of noise for people to have to contend with on a day to day basis. 

And sadly not only is noise a concern for residents regarding these new fighter jet planes. Another issue is air quality and the air we breath as humans is so vital to our health as human beings (Danbeck and Ermon, 2020). Without clean air human health is negatively impacted in my opinion.  One might ask is noise pollution only a problem in the United States and in Wisconsin locally? The answer to this question is no. Noise pollution is a problem other places and it affects places all throughout the world. The same goes with air quality. These environmental problems will continue to be problems unless we make change in the governmental system and the economic system in the United States and other places throughout the world is my personal thought.  

 To read more about this particular environmental issue read these two links below:  

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/madison-selected-as-a-preferred-location-for-f-35s/ar-BB10aHdv

https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2020/02/20/madisons-truax-field-likely-getting-f-35-s-despite-noise-concerns/4819333002/ 

References 

 Danbeck, Jackson and Ermon, Brittany. (2020). Madison selected as a preferred location for F-35s. NBC 15 Staff. MSN News. Retrieved from: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/madison-selected-as-a-preferred-location-for-f-35s/ar-BB10aHdv 

 Jones, Meg. (2020). Madison almost certainly will get new F-35 jets at Wisconsin Air National Guard unit, despite noise concerns. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved from: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2020/02/20/madisons-truax-field-likely-getting-f-35-s-despite-noise-concerns/4819333002/

State Sierra Club Director speaking in La Crosse!

Have you heard that the guest speaker at the Progresstival this Saturday (Feb. 29) is new Executive Director of the Sierra Club's John Muir Chapter, Elizabeth Ward? Elizabeth was a student and environmental activist at UW-L almost a decade ago! She will be speaking at 4:30 at the Concordia Ballroom (1129 La Crosse St) in La Crosse. Our Coulee Region group will also be tabling at the event, along with other activist groups, starting at 1:00. For more information, visit http://www.couleeprogressives.org/p/progresstival-2020.html.

Radioactive fracking wastewater

Physicians for Social Responsibility is hosting a web conference on the dangers of tracking waste water on Wednesday, February 19. Sign up free at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1111310891901862667.

A chilling investigative article in the January 21 Rolling Stone magazine has found that wastewater from many oil and gas wells is dangerously radioactive. The local environment, nearby residents, and especially the oil and gas industry’s own employees may all be exposed to toxic levels of radiation – but most people are totally unaware.

Register here for a PSR webinar with Justin Nobel, the reporter whose two-year investigation culminated in these explosive revelations.

Shame on Senate Republicans

Senate Republicans Vote Against Convicting Donald Trump Despite Overwhelming Evidence

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Contact: 

Cindy Carr, cindy.carr@sierraclub.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans failed to convict Donald Trump in his sham impeachment trial, despite overwhelming evidence, proof, and admission of his bribery and attempts to influence the 2020 election.

Last week, Senate Republicans voted to block the admission of first-hand witness testimony for Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, marking the only trial in history without witnesses. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and the majority of Americans consistently called for the inclusion of witnesses and evidence throughout trial, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell chose to abdicate his constitutional duties in favor of advising the White House on how best to influence his fellow Republican Senators.

Just yesterday, Trump’s personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, said Trump should continue his crimes after the Senate fails to convict him.

In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:

"Donald Trump’s sham impeachment trial will forever be a stain on Congressional Republicans and the Oval Office. The facts are stark and the evidence is overwhelming: Donald Trump broke the law. Yet, today’s vote demonstrates just how far the Senate has fallen under Mitch McConnell’s leadership. The curtain has been pulled back, and the American people can now clearly see which Senators are willing to put party over country. 

“Any Senator willing to risk the foundations of our democracy to protect a criminal is unfit for office. Shame on Senate Republicans.”

February newsletter

Due to time issues, we won't have a text version of the newsletter as a blog post this month. Rather, find it as a .pdf online at yumpu or at sierraclub.org/wisconsin/coulee

Highlights:

* FEBRUARY 3-7 and 10-14 are ABSENTEE-IN-PERSON voting. Check with your clerk

* FEBRUARY 4 is Transit Equity Day in honor of Rosa Parks' birthday

* FEBRUARY 18 is ELECTION DAY - the spring primary for Wisconsin Supreme Court and local offices 

* FEBRUARY 22 is Soil Health & Diversity: Keeping Farms Economically & Ecologically Sustainable from 1 to 4 p.m. at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, Lenz Conference Center 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore

* FEBRUARY 25 is the CRSC Volunteer Night from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Myrick Park Center in La Crosse. State Sierra Club staff will be there to help guide us in phone calling, texting, writing, drawing, and more that will help us move our agenda forward. Treats provided! 

* FEBRUARY 29 is the Progresstival in La Crosse. CRSC will table there

Plus learn more about our environmental education grants, online book club, water lobby day, new board officers, green transportation, regional clean energy, and other upcoming events.