Air Force proposes significant intensification of training over Cochise County-- to include sonic booms and lower-altitude flares, chaff.
Despite the fact that much of the county will be affected, Air Force is not holding a single public hearing in our communities.
The United States Air Force is seeking to vastly expand and intensify its training operations over much of Cochise County and southwestern New Mexico.
Noise of training sorties and the fire risk posed by flares dropped by military aircraft have long been a feature of life here. However, should the Air Force get its way, we will be enjoying more than double the number of fly-overs, even lower altitude flare deployment, and-- for the first time-- sonic booms over our homes and businesses.
Though the Air Force is required to hold hearings in affected communities, not a single public hearing is being held in Cochise County.
How this will affect you
According to a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) material released by the U.S. Department of Air Force (DAF), the “Tombstone MOA” (Military Operations Area) covers much of eastern Cochise County and much of the western heel of New Mexico.
Currently, the Tombstone MOA primarily serves Davis Monthan Air Force base near Tucson.
This area currently includes the towns/residential areas of Bisbee, Douglas, Double Adobe, McNeal, Elfrida, Pearce, Sunizona. As such, the current Tombstone MOA covers a total of 3,968 square miles.
Under a “regional special use airspace optimization” proposal that would raise the northern boundary by 10 nautical miles, the MOA would be expanded to an area of 4,766 square miles. This would include Portal, Paradise, Hilltop, Animas (New Mexico) and Hachita (New Mexico), as well as areas of Cochise and Dragoon.
The proposed geographical expansion of the area of military operations is not as dramatic as DAF's proposed intensification of activities over our homes and communities.
According to DAF materials, sorties flown in the Tombsone MOA at present are restricted from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Under DAF's proposed intensification plans, sorties may be flown over our area from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., every day of the week (to include Saturdays and Sundays).
At present, training flights flown over our area must not be flown under 500 feet above ground level.
Under DAF's proposed intensification, fighter jets flying training sorties will be able to do so at an altitude of only 100 feet above ground level.
Additionally, DAF proposes lowering the altitude of flare and chaff (strips of material meant to confuse radar systems) deployment over the entire MOA, from the present altitude of 5,000 feet (in areas currently authorized), to only 2,000 feet above ground level.
A dramatic increase in severe noise may be the most pronounced consequence of this intensification felt by Cochise County residents.
At present, according to U.S. Air Force materials, 3,450 sorties are flown over the Tombstone MOA annually. Under its proposed intensification, DAF intends to more than double this number-- to as many as 8,000 sorties per year.
According to Air Force materials, supersonic sorties-- which produce “sonic booms” when aircraft exceed the speed of sound-- are currently not an aspect of training operations in our area.
Under DAF's proposed intensification plans, as many as 80 supersonic sorties may be flown over our area annually.
Air Force does not seem eager to hear from you
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), DAF issued a draft Environmental Impact Statement regarding the proposed Tombstone MOA expansion/intensification on August 8.
U.S. Code of Federal Regulations requires requires a period of public input for NEPA compliance, stating that “agencies shall hold or sponsor public hearings, public meetings, or other opportunities for public engagement [including by digital means],” and that “agencies shall make diligent efforts to engage the public in preparing and implementing their NEPA procedures.”
DAF's actions, however, give the impression that they are perhaps not so interested in diligently seeking that public input.
Despite the fact that Cochise County communities make up the bulk of populated areas affected by these changes to the Tombstone MOA, the only in-person public hearing held by the Air Force within the “MOA” is to be held in Animas, New Mexico, from 5 to 8 p.m., September 13 (Animas High School, 1 Panther Boulevard, Animas, NM 88020).
Let's put this into perspective: areas of Cochise County to be affected by the expansion and intensification of Air Force activities in the Tombstone MOA contain a population of at least 24,300 people, according to 2020 U.S. Census Bureau data.
Animas, New Mexico-- situated about 62 miles northeast of Douglas-- has a population of only 180 people.
In point of fact, rural New Mexico communities that may be affected by DAF's expansion and intensification of the Tombstone MOA (Animas, Windmill, Playas, and Hachita) have a total population of less than 320 people, according to 2020 U.S. Census data.
Yet, this is where U.S. Department of Air Force is choosing to hold the sole in-person public hearing/meeting at which members of affected communities may voice their concerns.
According to U.S. Air Force 355th Wing Public Affairs Lieutenant Mallory Ambrose, DAF will also be holding two “virtual hearings” through which members of the public may submit their comments verbally online. Those hearings are presently scheduled for September 4 and 5.
Cochise County has a higher than average population living below the national poverty threshold, and like many very rural communities, Internet access is limited. As such, many potentially affected residents do not have reliable internet access.
Cochise Regional News asked Ambrose if DAF had considered this fact, and whether DAF would hold any in-person hearings in Cochise County, or whether affected Cochise County residents could petition DAF for local public hearings.
“NEPA does not provide a formal means of petitioning the DAF regarding hearing locations,” said Ambrose. “The DAF attempts to maximize the opportunity for public involvement in several ways. First, by using multiple means of publication, including print media, to advertise the hearings. Second, by strategically choosing hearing locations based upon the affected environment, giving the greatest opportunity for public attendance.”
[If you would like to write 355th Wing (Davis Monthan AFB) public affairs personnel to request a local hearing, here is their email address: 355WGPA@us.af.mil]
Again, the only in-person public hearing concerning the Tombstone MOA draft EIS is being held in Animas, New Mexico-- population 180, situated far from the more than 24,000 affected residents of Cochise County.
When asked why DAF chose to hold this sole in-person public hearing in a location so distant from the majority of people affected, Ambrose told CRN that DAF personnel who had selected this hearing location were situated in Texas and that she had not been able to obtain comment from them by press time.
What you can do
According to U.S. Air Force 355th Wing Public Affairs Lieutenant Ambrose, members of affected communities may attend the “virtual hearings” online on September 4 and 5.
Affected residents may also submit comments online, or mail them to: Arizona Regional Airspace EIS c/o Stantec, 501 Butler Farm Rd., Suite H, Hampton, Virginia 23666.
All public comments must be submitted and received by October 9.
Ambrose told CRN that hard copies of the DAF Tombstone MOA draft EIS are also available for public review at the Myrtle Kraft Library in Portal (2393 Rock House Rd.), Huachuca City Public Library (506 Gonzales Blvd.), Douglas Public Library (560 E. 10th St.), Sunizona Alice Woods Library (6460 Hwy 181, Pearce).
According to Ambrose, a copy of the draft EIS will also be provided to Bisbee's Copper Queen Library (6 Main St.) and will be available for review sometime next week.
The draft EIS is also available online here.
Peaceful Chiricahua Skies is a coalition of organizations and residents opposing DAF's planned expansion and intensification of the Tombstone MOA.
Groups involved in the coalition include the Center for Biological Diversity, Southwestern Research Station (of the American Museum of Natural History), Friends of Cave Creek Canyon, Chiricahua Regional Council, and others.
[To learn more about the group and their perspective on this issue, read their recent press release regarding the Tombstone MOA draft EIS.]
“We are extremely concerned with the lack of meetings in Cochise County,” said Center for Biological Diversity representative Laiken Jordahl. “As you know, many rural folks have a hard time accessing a stable internet connection […] so the idea that virtual meetings are able to meet the needs of these communities is ridiculous.”
“I would recommend concerned citizens make comments on the [DAF comment portal] demanding an extension of the comment period, after additional meetings are scheduled in Cochise County [and other affected] communities. Commenters should highlight how the complete disregard and refusal to hold public meetings in directly affected communities invalidates the entire NEPA process,” added Jorahl.
Peaceful Chiricahua Skies will be holding a number of workshops, through September and early October. The workshops are described as an opportunity to learn about the Tombstone MOA draft EIS and about “how to submit effective comments.”
Article by Beau Hodai, Cochise Regional News