NOVEMBER
9 2021
McKean County attorney makes history with election to Pa. court Maryland Air National Guard A-10s of the 175th Wing must train by simulating all types of weapons delivery and mission sets which can range from 20,000 feet to 100 feet. The low-flying training zone currently proposed is over much of the local region.
Air Guard jets’ low-fly zone over region closer to reality BY MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER A proposal for a low-flying training zone for Air National Guard jets over the region has taken a step closer to being implemented. Last week, the Air National Guard released an environmental assessment on the proposal, finding no significant impact. The low-fly zone, which would extend over McKean, Elk, Cameron, Potter, Clinton and Tioga counties and into New York state, would be for training for the Maryland Air National Guard A-10C Squadron. The proposal is for flights of Warthogs between 100 feet above ground to 7,999 feet, two hours a day with no more than 6 total aircraft, 170 days a year including weekends. Nighttime operations would be at above 1,000 feet. The flights would normally be between 10 a.m. and noon, and between 2 and 4 p.m. The majority of the flight time would be at higher altitudes, with 10 minutes or less below 1,000 feet. “No supersonic
operations, release of chaff and flares, ordnance deployment, weapons firing, infrastructure changes or ground disturbance would be conducted” in the lowfly zone, the assessment noted. “A 1,000 feet above ground level floor would be implemented over sensitive areas of concerns,” the assessment noted, including above Kettle Creek State Park. A 500-foot floor will be instituted over state parks, Sinnemahoning Creek and Austin Dam. An “altitudinal mitigation map” was prepared to address concerns from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources “for the most critical sensitive areas,” the assessment noted. While the project has been in the works since 2019, on Friday, one local tourism official said her organization hadn’t been included in the planning. Linda Devlin, executive director of the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau, said, “The Allegheny National Forest is not being given any consideration as to what the
low MOA flights will do to the abundant wildlife, or to the human recreational activities occuring in our region. Visitors come to our region to experience nature’s beauty, the sound of birds chirping, the flight of an eagle overhead, and the crunch of leaves underfoot as they hike along a trail. They come here to escape from the noise of civilization.” Calling the number of flights in the plan excessive, Devlin said, “If this was a high income residential area, this flight schedule would never be proposed. It is being proposed with no input or outreach to the people who reside here or to the over 3 million visitors per year who come here to recreate.” She added that she’s hopeful the Kinzua Bridge State Park will be included in the state park exemption. In the environmental assessment, it is noted that noise levels would increase by 1.5 A-weighted decibels at most in noise sensitive areas, and would not generate “individual acoustic events loud enough
to damage hearing or structures.” Several flight constraints would be in effect in certain areas during certain times of the year, the assessment noted. The air space would not be used during times when wildlife are most active, early mornings and late evenings. The potential impact on the elk herd was discussed in the assessment, with the National Guard concluding there would be limited impact, because the frequency of the flights below 1,000 feet would be extremely limited. “The influence of noise may impact the quality of the tourist experience; however, noise from aircraft would not contribute appreciably to the overall background levels throughout the region,” the assessment read. The draft assessment is available for public review at libraries in Bradford, Coudersport and Galeton and online at https:www.175wg.ang.af.mil/ The 45-day comment period ends on Dec. 15.
Stacey Wallace
BY MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER BRADFORD, PA. — Local attorney Stacy Wallace made history on Election Day. The Bradford resident is the first person from McKean County to be elected to serve on a higher court. While four McKean County judges have served on higher courts, all were appointed to do so. Wallace was the top vote-getter Tuesday in Pennsylvania for a judgeship on the Commonwealth Court, receiving 27.33%
of the vote, or 1,319,452 tallies. In second was her “slate mate” Drew Crompton, an appointee to the Commonwealth Court who was seeking an elected term. He received 25.71% of the vote, or 1,241,578 tallies. Crompton has a bit of a local connection as well, as he served as chief of staff for former state Sen. Joe Scarnati. Wallace was happily surprised at the victory.
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How audiologic rehab can help people with hearing loss Hearing is easily taken for granted. Unless a person has experienced temporary or permanent hearing loss, it can be hard to imagine a life in which hearing is compromised or completely lost. But that is precisely the life hundreds of millions of people across the globe live every day. According to the Hearing Health Foundation, 360 million people across the globe suffer from hearing loss. Within the United States,
the number of people with hearing loss doubled from 2000 to 2015. Coping with hearing loss can be difficult. Hearing loss sufferers may feel disconnected from family and friends because they can’t engage as fully in conversation as they once did. In addition, adjusting to simple pleasures like listening to music after hearing loss can be difficult.
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National Fuel foundation announces $157,500 in grants WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. — The board of directors of the National Fuel Gas Company Foundation (Foundation), the charitable giving arm of National Fuel Gas Company (National Fuel), recently held its quarterly meeting and approved Foundation grants totaling $157,500. According to David P. Bauer, Foundation President and President and CEO of National Fuel, these contributions will help numerous communities meet critical needs. “Food insecurity is a vital and continuous need that has only been exacerbated by the pandemic,” Bauer said. “Each year, the Foundation proudly supports food banks that serve the communities where we live and work, and, this year, we are happy to have expanded giving in this crucial area.” Second Harvest Food Bank of
Northwest Pennsylvania was one of several food banks to receive funding. The board approved grant requests in both New York and Pennsylvania that support emergency shelters, health and human services, and veterans services. The Trail Association of the McKean & Elk Divide (via Headwaters Charitable Trust), which was one recipient, promotes the development and maintenance of non-motorized recreational trails and trailheads in McKean and Elk counties. The National Fuel Gas Company F o u n d a t i o n is a 501©(3)
private foundation funded entirely by National Fuel through shareholder funds to better establish National Fuel’s commitment to the community. Foundation focus areas include the underserved/economically disadvantaged, education, community vitality/economic impact, and veteran services.