Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Welcome! We hope that you enjoy our free content.
Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
Thank you for signing in! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Checking back? Since you viewed this item previously you can read it again.
Vermont Community Newspaper Group
An environmental court judge has denied a request that Burlington obtain a land-use permit to host a fleet of F-35 fighter jets, a decision F-35 opponents are likely to appeal.
The proposed changes at the Vermont Air National Guard base that would be made to accommodate the jets do not warrant an Act 250 permit, Judge Thomas Walsh said in his decision.
F-35 opponents say they will likely appeal the lower court’s ruling to the Vermont Supreme Court because the Air Force estimated noise levels around the airport would increase with the new jets. Opponents are also concerned about public safety. They worry the pilots will not have sufficient experience with the new jets to ensure there will not be accidents.
“If you can wait until you’ve got the crash risk down low and you can come up with a way and show that the noise level is lower … than the F-16, then bring it here,” said James Leas, an appellate in the case and opponent of the F-35.
The U.S. Air Force selected the Vermont Guard base as one of the locations for 18 F-35 fighter jets. The planes will replace Vermont’s F-16 fleet, beginning in 2020. F-35 opponents requested that Burlington, which owns the airport, obtain an Act 250 permit in order to require the Air Force to mitigate the noise impacts of the new jets.
Social Media Advertising - Sponsored Local Content
News, arts, events, community and more from the Vermont Community Newspaper Group.
Our weekly newsletters deliver the latest headlines, upcoming events and local information — straight from the newsroom!
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexual language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be proactive. Use the "Report" link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.