Photo credit: Staff Sgt. Madelyn Brown, U.S. Department of Defense
by Arline L. Bronzaft, Ph.D., Board of Directors, GrowNYC, Co-founder, The Quiet Coalition, and Honorary Chair, Quiet American Skies
Residents in Chittenden County, Vermont, have been complaining for years about the noise intrusions of F-35 fighter jets used by the Vermont Air National Guard. These loud F-35s are twice as loud as the F-16 jets which preceded them at Burlington International Airport. The jets are permitted to fly at all times of the day and at night. Now, according to the Burlington Free Press, the Winooski City Council has passed a resolution that asks the Congressional delegation to inquire whether something can be done to lessen the noise impacts of these jets.
Some actions have already been taken to try to lessen the impacts of the noisy F-35s. A program was introduced to mitigate the noise at homes near the airport. Up to 2,500 housing units were slated to receive insulation, as well as new doors and new windows. This program, partially funded by the FAA, will take several years.
The residents are “fed up” and want more immediate action. They were pleased that the resolution passed, hoping the jets will be replaced by aircraft that will be less harmful. Noise is hazardous to mental and physical health, so ways to ameliorate these impacts need to be taken more promptly.
