HARRISBURG – PA Sen. Cris Dush (R-25), who is also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and the PA Air National Guard, sent the following letter (excerpted below) formally calling on Brig Gen Jori A. Robinson, 175th Wing Commander, Maryland Air National Guard (ANG) to conduct a full Environmental Impact Study (EIS) on the proposed Duke Military Operations Area (MOA) over the Pennsylvania Wilds conservation and recreation area:
“I am writing about the proposed military training airspace – the Duke low-MOA over the Pennsylvania Wilds conservation and recreation area – that your wing is currently in the process of completing its public comment period for the Environmental Assessment (EA).
“As you know, because the EA determined that there was a Finding of No Significant Impact, the 175th does not need to accomplish an Environmental Impact Study (EIS). I disagree with the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) decision and am formally requesting an EIS be completed.
“Although I am the first to support our military, this is a situation where I do not believe the 175th Wing has done its due diligence in looking at the impact of the proposal and possible alternatives for flying the low-level training that is proposed.
“I would like to bring to your attention that if this proposal is approved, I believe it should be Pennsylvanians who control access to the proposed Duke low-MOA. This would allow a balance in meeting the needs of the Wilds with events such as Dark Sky, nature-appreciation, education, and tourism and the needs of the 175th flight operations to include currency training.”
Follow the links below to view Sen. Dush’s complete letter and attachment of concerns:
CONTACT: Ty McCauslin, Communications Director at tmccauslin@pasen.gov.