A strictly controlled agenda was announced by Moderator Rob Ford at the start of Tuesday’s public meeting at the Otero Junior College banquet room concerning the preliminary environmental assessment for the U.S. Army’s proposed Combat Aviation Brigade to be trained at the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site between La Junta and Trinidad, to the east of State Highway 350. Although Ford announced speakers must register in order to speak, only two had signed up at the beginning of the meeting and nine were actually allowed to speak. The later speakers were limited to five minutes per speaker.
Col. Robert McLaughlin, commander at PCMS, opened the meeting by assuring the audience that the process was only preliminary and that if a true environmental impact study was needed, it would be done. He said the Army is not shortcutting, but is upfront in its approach. They want to have good neighbors on all fronts. He remarked, “How many of you were here (Trinidad’s meeting) last night?” He hoped people would just address the matter at hand (Combat Aviation Brigade training at PCMS). He pointed out the court reporter who had been hired to record everyone’s remarks and said they would be considered in the process.
Jim Herrell of Not One More Acre, a group, which had stopped the PCMS from expansion with legal action previously, spoke first. He, like McLaughlin, expressed friendly feelings for the opposition, acknowledging that he had no doubt that the colonel has the best interests of the United States at heart and that we all owe the military for protecting our country. He also acknowledged the need for the best training.
However, there is frustration with the government that wants to bring a heavy aviation brigade which will be an extreme challenge to the fragile land here. The training area was carved out of fragile agricultural land. The impact of four months of training cannot be recaptured in seven months. He can still see the marks beside the road. Although assured by Sen. Udall recently that “we have won,” Herrell said his group wouldn’t be folding up its tents just yet. “Here we are, again, and again, and again.”
Gary Winford of Trinidad was the next speaker. He, also, has been fighting the expansion for five or six years. “The results are always the same,” said Winford, “they go right on with their plans.” The meetings are held to comply with the law. There is another law that requires coordination with the local government. They have not done so, said Winford. He cited references from the federal land policy regarding land use (1976) defining the honoring of local plans.
Lon Robertson of the Pinon Canyon Expansion Opposition Coalition was next to speak. “We can’t change the process, but we can present our views. We can contact our elected officials.” The best plan for the U.S. military in their minds would not involve taking away their land. The military has enough land already, said Robertson. The local people have a right to the air 500 feet above the highest point on their property, and he intends to post his as private property. The “nap of the earth” training activities at low levels will be sure to interfere with ranching. Airplanes must stay 8,000 feet above the City of Colorado Springs, and outside the boundaries of the PCMS should stay 5,000 feet above the surrounding land. By the Army’s admission, this is a limited review. A complete Environmental Impact Study is needed, said Robertson.
The PCEOC circulated a “Private Property Rights and Airspace Declaration” at the meeting and will read the names of the signers into the records of the meetings. Robertson did read some names into the record at the meeting, mostly Trinidad names from the previous night’s meeting.
Rebecca Goodwin of the Otero County Historic Preservation Board spoke next, citing repeated infractions of historic areas by the Army and introducing the concept of cultural landscape, including the serenity of a rural viewscape. Helicopters do not mix well with serenity. The introduction of low altitude aerial training in the area of the Santa Fe Trail is a clear violation of national historic site eligibility principles outlined in legislation to protect areas of culural and historic significance. Historical tourism is an important economic factor in the region, said Goodwin.
Dan Davis, retired first sergeant, spoke next. He has done research in the effect of low level flight on both wild and domestic animals. Heart rate is increased, the animals may not feed normally and may experience fear and panic, as may their human counterparts. He used the example of riding a horse when a low-flying airplane comes over, “The horse will put you in touch with gravity.”
Kevin Lindahl related an experience of being in the Picketwire Canyon when a low-flying Osprey appeared in his rearview mirror, close enough to observe details on the body of the plane. As chairman of the local chapter of the Santa Fe Trail, he considers low flyers startling and not acceptable as part of the trail experience.
Beverly Babb, who was around to see part of the Dust Bowl as a small child, reminded the group that it could happen again. Disturbance of the fragile land in the area was the cause of the Dust Bowl before. She remembers her mother having to put a handkerchief over her face to breathe and how gritty the floor was and how dirty the children were. Also, she remembers not being able to see a house across the street for the dirt blowing in the air. “If La Junta was not the heart of the Dust Bowl, it was pretty close.” Tourism is driving the economy, said Babb. Do we want to ruin it?
Stan White of Trinidad was next to the last speaker. “If we don’t stand up to this, we are giving them permission,” he said. He continued that this is expansion. Col.McLaughlin is the man that will sign the paper. He urged contributions to the PCEOC and the Not One More Acre organizations. The legal action actually worked, but it cost a lot of money. “We can’t sit by and let it happen. This is just one more step to take over southeastern Colorado.”
John George of Pritchett concluded the speakers’ portion of the agenda. His message: “What will it take to make the higher-ups see that no means no.” He said he knows the mission of the military is to protect the country from enemies foreign and domestic, but did not expect the enemy to be our own army.
McLaughlin’s closing comments thanked the group for their participation and assured everyone that the army is always in compliance, makes full disclosure, and has spoken with the State Historic Preservation Officer. The army intends to obey regulations with flight routes and altitudes. He assured the group that they were all stakeholders who have a vote and that no statutes will be violated. “None of this is taken lightly,” said McLaughlin.
Local citizens were busy collecting the PCEOC “Private Property Rights and Airspace Declaration” papers in the hall after the meeting.
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A strictly controlled agenda was announced by Moderator Rob Ford at the start of Tuesday’s public meeting at the Otero Junior College banquet room concerning the preliminary environmental assessment for the U.S. Army’s proposed Combat Aviation Brigade to be trained at the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site between La Junta and Trinidad, to the east of State Highway 350. Although Ford announced speakers must register in order to speak, only two had signed up at the beginning of the meeting and nine were actually allowed to speak. The later speakers were limited to five minutes per speaker.
Col. Robert McLaughlin, commander at PCMS, opened the meeting by assuring the audience that the process was only preliminary and that if a true environmental impact study was needed, it would be done. He said the Army is not shortcutting, but is upfront in its approach. They want to have good neighbors on all fronts. He remarked, “How many of you were here (Trinidad’s meeting) last night?” He hoped people would just address the matter at hand (Combat Aviation Brigade training at PCMS). He pointed out the court reporter who had been hired to record everyone’s remarks and said they would be considered in the process.
Jim Herrell of Not One More Acre, a group, which had stopped the PCMS from expansion with legal action previously, spoke first. He, like McLaughlin, expressed friendly feelings for the opposition, acknowledging that he had no doubt that the colonel has the best interests of the United States at heart and that we all owe the military for protecting our country. He also acknowledged the need for the best training.
However, there is frustration with the government that wants to bring a heavy aviation brigade which will be an extreme challenge to the fragile land here. The training area was carved out of fragile agricultural land. The impact of four months of training cannot be recaptured in seven months. He can still see the marks beside the road. Although assured by Sen. Udall recently that “we have won,” Herrell said his group wouldn’t be folding up its tents just yet. “Here we are, again, and again, and again.”
Gary Winford of Trinidad was the next speaker. He, also, has been fighting the expansion for five or six years. “The results are always the same,” said Winford, “they go right on with their plans.” The meetings are held to comply with the law. There is another law that requires coordination with the local government. They have not done so, said Winford. He cited references from the federal land policy regarding land use (1976) defining the honoring of local plans.
Lon Robertson of the Pinon Canyon Expansion Opposition Coalition was next to speak. “We can’t change the process, but we can present our views. We can contact our elected officials.” The best plan for the U.S. military in their minds would not involve taking away their land. The military has enough land already, said Robertson. The local people have a right to the air 500 feet above the highest point on their property, and he intends to post his as private property. The “nap of the earth” training activities at low levels will be sure to interfere with ranching. Airplanes must stay 8,000 feet above the City of Colorado Springs, and outside the boundaries of the PCMS should stay 5,000 feet above the surrounding land. By the Army’s admission, this is a limited review. A complete Environmental Impact Study is needed, said Robertson.
The PCEOC circulated a “Private Property Rights and Airspace Declaration” at the meeting and will read the names of the signers into the records of the meetings. Robertson did read some names into the record at the meeting, mostly Trinidad names from the previous night’s meeting.
Rebecca Goodwin of the Otero County Historic Preservation Board spoke next, citing repeated infractions of historic areas by the Army and introducing the concept of cultural landscape, including the serenity of a rural viewscape. Helicopters do not mix well with serenity. The introduction of low altitude aerial training in the area of the Santa Fe Trail is a clear violation of national historic site eligibility principles outlined in legislation to protect areas of culural and historic significance. Historical tourism is an important economic factor in the region, said Goodwin.
Dan Davis, retired first sergeant, spoke next. He has done research in the effect of low level flight on both wild and domestic animals. Heart rate is increased, the animals may not feed normally and may experience fear and panic, as may their human counterparts. He used the example of riding a horse when a low-flying airplane comes over, “The horse will put you in touch with gravity.”
Kevin Lindahl related an experience of being in the Picketwire Canyon when a low-flying Osprey appeared in his rearview mirror, close enough to observe details on the body of the plane. As chairman of the local chapter of the Santa Fe Trail, he considers low flyers startling and not acceptable as part of the trail experience.
Beverly Babb, who was around to see part of the Dust Bowl as a small child, reminded the group that it could happen again. Disturbance of the fragile land in the area was the cause of the Dust Bowl before. She remembers her mother having to put a handkerchief over her face to breathe and how gritty the floor was and how dirty the children were. Also, she remembers not being able to see a house across the street for the dirt blowing in the air. “If La Junta was not the heart of the Dust Bowl, it was pretty close.” Tourism is driving the economy, said Babb. Do we want to ruin it?
Stan White of Trinidad was next to the last speaker. “If we don’t stand up to this, we are giving them permission,” he said. He continued that this is expansion. Col.McLaughlin is the man that will sign the paper. He urged contributions to the PCEOC and the Not One More Acre organizations. The legal action actually worked, but it cost a lot of money. “We can’t sit by and let it happen. This is just one more step to take over southeastern Colorado.”
John George of Pritchett concluded the speakers’ portion of the agenda. His message: “What will it take to make the higher-ups see that no means no.” He said he knows the mission of the military is to protect the country from enemies foreign and domestic, but did not expect the enemy to be our own army.
McLaughlin’s closing comments thanked the group for their participation and assured everyone that the army is always in compliance, makes full disclosure, and has spoken with the State Historic Preservation Officer. The army intends to obey regulations with flight routes and altitudes. He assured the group that they were all stakeholders who have a vote and that no statutes will be violated. “None of this is taken lightly,” said McLaughlin.
Local citizens were busy collecting the PCEOC “Private Property Rights and Airspace Declaration” papers in the hall after the meeting.
