Letter to Mr. J. Randolph Babbitt

Letter

U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins and Representatives Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree today sent a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration urging the agency to hold a hearing in Maine regarding the Massachusetts Air National Guard's proposal to expand and lower the flight level for Condor 1 and Condor 2 flight training areas over Western Maine.

"We strongly urge the FAA to hold a public hearing in Maine as part of its review of the proposal to lower Condor flight levels over Western Maine," said Snowe, Collins, Michaud, and Pingree in a joint statement. "Holding a hearing in Maine would help ensure that local residents and other stakeholders have the opportunity to voice their concerns directly to aviation officials."

The delegation has been working together in response to constituents in Western Maine who have expressed concerns about the potential impact the proposed flight level changes could have on the region.

The full text of the delegation's letter follows:

Mr. J. Randolph Babbitt
Administrator
Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Avenue, SW, Suite 1010
Washington, D.C. 20591

Dear Mr. Babbitt:

We respectfully request that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) hold a hearing in Maine as part of its consideration of the Massachusetts Air National Guard's proposal to expand and lower the flight level for the Condor 1 and Condor 2 flight training areas over Western Maine. When the FAA conducts its review of the Final Environmental Impact Statement, we believe that a hearing in which Maine citizens can express their concerns to the FAA would be helpful.

Many constituents in Western Maine continue to be concerned about the potential impact these flight level changes would have on the environment, the economy, and the quality of life in Western Maine. We believe the FAA should hear these concerns firsthand to determine whether or not to approve the airspace change.

Thank you for your consideration of our request.