WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) sent a letter to Patrick O’Brien, the Director of the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) at the Department of Defense inviting him to witness the noise pollution caused by the F-35s at Truax Field after the OLDCC rejected an $18 million noise mitigation grant application. The Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs submitted an application to help residents in east Madison, who are affected by elevated noise levels, access funding assistance to mitigate the noise from the jets.
“I write to you today to express my disappointment regarding your recent decision to deny the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs’ application for noise mitigation funding through the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, and to invite you or other officials from your office to visit Madison to hear directly from residents who could have benefitted from this funding and explain your decision to them personally,” Pocan wrote.
“In Fiscal Year 2021, my office worked to ensure $50 million was appropriated for the Noise Mitigation Community Partnership Program to ensure that affected residents in east Madison could receive some assistance to make necessary modifications to their homes to dampen the noise and improve their quality of life,” Pocan continued. “Therefore, I was deeply disappointed by the recent announcement that the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs’ application for noise mitigation funding was denied.”
“Given the direct effect this has had on my constituents, I request a detailed explanation to my office regarding the decision to deny this grant application, and additionally request that you send an official to visit Madison to meet with residents who have been affected by elevated noise levels and provide an explanation of your decision directly to them,” Pocan concluded. “A site visit would provide an invaluable opportunity not only to witness firsthand the impact of noise pollution in the area and hear from residents who are living with it daily, but also to help facilitate a collaborative discussion around potential solutions and future funding opportunities.”
A full copy of the letter can be found here.
