MADISON – Today, Representative Chris Taylor (D-Madison) joined Madison Alders Rebecca Kemble and Syed Abbas, Urban Triage Founder & CEO Brandi Grayson, Jesse Pycha-Holst of Solidarity Realty, Business Owner and Midwife Tehmina Islam, and Co-Director of Friends of Starkweather Creek Lance Green, at a press conference to discuss the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposal to base F-35 military jets at the Truax Air National Guard Base. The Final EIS, which was released last week, affirmed the significant negative consequences F-35s would pose for Madison’s densely populated communities.

Rep. Chris Taylor issued the following statement.

“Now that we have had the Final EIS for a week, members of the community have had a chance to take stock of what this means for their families, businesses, and communities. And unfortunately, this Final EIS only confirms what many of already knew: that these jets are wrong for our community, and our community will suffer some of the most severe negative consequences of any site being considered. These new details solidify the horrible impacts on low-income individuals, people of color and children, and these impacts will only worsen the severe racial disparities that plague our city and county.

 “The community is speaking out because they know this proposal will hinder their livelihoods, from the depreciation of property values, which we believe is underestimated in the Final EIS, to the harmful environmental impacts of this proposal with regard to PFAS contamination, to the negative consequences for children in local daycares and schools.

 “The bottom line is that it is highly inappropriate to place such jets at an Air National Guard Base in such a dense, residential and urban environment, where an estimated 60,000 individuals live within three miles of the airport. And this is why we had such a widespread group of local business owners, environmental stewards, and people who will be affected by the proposal speaking out today. I am heartened by their advocacy and steadfastness, and I only hope the Secretary of the Air Force heeds these concerns expressed by the public and at all levels of government, or we risk severe impacts on the quality of life for all Madison residents.”

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