Public weighs in heavily against ballistics testing in Lewis

RAY BROOK | An outpouring of public letters, emails and webpage comments were submitted for Adirondack Park Agency (APA) staff and commissioners to consider as they review the Unconventional Concepts Inc. application to establish a ballistics testing range for an M109 155 mm Howitzer cannon on private property in the Town of Lewis. The APA public comment period was open Oct. 1 to Oct. 31. Of over 1,400 comments received, 19 comments expressed support for the project. "Approximately 15 of the 44 residences within two miles of the howitzer testing range submitted comments," APA staff said of respondents. The complete public comment record is available online in a file containing 1,622 pages. An additional file of 14 pages has responses that came in after the comment period closed. A majority of sentiments shared were local, sent by community members from Lewis and nearby towns: Willsboro, Reber, Westport, Elizabethtown and Jay. They came from farmers concerned about livestock; people concerned about wildlife and the region's quiet nature. Concerns were raised by working men and women, retirees, incoming residents and lifelong homeowners who questioned impact on both state-owned and private properties. Some comments referenced the impact on unknowing hikers or hunters traversing the nearby forests. "I truly believe weapons testing, even 30 days a year of weapons testing, will be detrimental to the sense of community so often associated with the quality of life in the Adirondack Park," a licensed mental health counselor wrote. "Imagin(e) walking one of the many trails near the proposed testing site and hearing ballistic missile sounds. That's not a sound anyone wants to hear in the wild." Many comments pointed out scientific studies related to ballistics, noise and land use impact in the Adirondack Park with entire bibliographies that included technical military reports, environmental studies, and APA Act regulation. Some views were expressed in a few sentences: "We moved to Lewis and the ADKs in general for a peaceful, more quiet life. We would be grateful if you could do something to prevent the testing of exceptionally loud war machines in our community. We oppose this," said a property owner from Lewis. In support, one local resident said in short: "100 percent for this. It's thirty times a year. The probable training and research benefits outweigh noise on weekday(s)." PRECEDENT Public comments on howitzer cannon ballistics testing in the Adirondack Park questioned what precedent project approval could set in "commercial" use within the park. From an Adirondack Guide: "On Mr. Hopmeier's website, there is a drop-down tab for his 'ADK Site' which boasts about the isolation of this site and the lack of RF (Radio Frequency interference). This section of the site also states, 'Testing Limited By Imagination Only.' "As residents object to the current proposal, we are deeply disturbed by the possible interpretations of this slogan. We fear that if the APA gives him the go-ahead on this project, it will be a slippery slope towards other, increasingly disruptive testing. Without any accountability or regulation in place, we are scared that Mr. Hopmeier will take advantage of his permit and of the community." Another letter called the precedent dangerous: "This project should be halted outright. It sets a dangerous precedent for the potential to scale up to more disruptive activities. ... A howitzer emits over 180 decibels of sound -- the average firework emits 140. Even if kept to 30 times per year, that is twice a month that residents and wildlife will have to cope with a significant disruption," they wrote, suggesting APA has a duty to keep the Adirondacks wild. "Although the size of year-round residents may be small, we are still people with lives, many of whom chose to live here because of the peace and tranquility it provides.... Please, place the local residents and the health of the landscape at the center of your consideration." ........................ COMPATIBILITY Incompatibility with conservation and the wild character of the Adirondack Park was a prevailing concern among public comments. A lifelong Adirondack resident weighed in with several pages outlining incompatibility. "Even with mitigation measures such as restricted firing times, sound barriers, or safety buffers, the essential nature of the proposed use remains incompatible with the Park's conservation goals and surrounding residential character," they wrote. "Residents and property owners within the Adirondack Park choose to live here, or move here, specifically because of the region's peace, natural beauty, and absence of high-intensity industrial or military activities. The character of the Park is defined not only by its forests and lakes but also by its quiet, restorative soundscape and the expectation that these qualities will endure under the Adirondack Park Agency's stewardship." Other comments were more succinct: "This is awful, we already have testing around the adk with Fort Drum, now you wanna destroy more of the adk for warfare it's not needed and the damage to the area would just be a shame to the life that lives in the adk." A landowner three miles from the site asked if the percussion would change underground water systems: "I'm concerned about the potential impact to my sleep as I work nights and sleep during the day. How loud will this testing be? Also, will the percussion affect my water well or others in the area? Could the vibration close or change any underground water se(a)ms? Will this affect the value of my property? Will I be able to sell my home in the future with this testing only 3 miles away? I believe everyone should be able to do what they want on their own land as long as it doesn't affect other near by land values or the environment." A new resident moving to the area was worried about a reduction in recreational value: "I will be relocating to Essex County within the next month; and am deeply concerned about the impacts of howitzer cannon usage within the Adirondack Park. Not only will the firing of heavy weaponry deeply disturb the wildlife that are key to the thriving of this park, but will also significantly impact the recreational value and quality of life for visitors and residents." Residents wanted more information on artillery testing. One suggested the project include a plan for recompense. "My family owns a parcel of property close to this site on Black Mountain Rd. in Jay, which is slated to be donated to the Adirondack Land Trust so it can be added to the collection of forever wild properties in the area. Other properties near ours are also slated for this purpose. I am concerned about the impact this testing would have on wildlife as well as the surrounding community. I request you postpone approval of this project until further investigation is done regarding the impact on the environment, wildlife and the community. "If in the end you are still considering approving this application, I also request that a realistic path to remedies for anyone harmed during these activities be established, and that this be vetted and published for comment prior to approving this project." They provided a copy of a technical bulletin produced by the U.S. Department of Defense Noise Working Group, "An Overview of Blast Noise: Characteristics, Assessment and Mitigation." Property owners who live beside the site filed objection in lists of names, one comment spoke for an entire family. "I am writing to formally oppose APA Project 2021-0276 ...This sort of activity is incompatible with the character and legal protections of the Adirondack Park and the Forest Preserve, and risks irreversible harm to the quiet, ecological integrity, and wild character that Article XIV of the New York State Constitution was written to protect. For these reasons I urge the Agency to deny the permit. Even if the firing is episodic, each event is extremely high intensity - louder than a jet take-off. The cumulative effect of disturbances, wildlife disruption, property impact, and impact on local residents merit serious concern." ................................................................... MILITARY COMMERCE ON RURAL USE LAND Environmental planners went into detail about defining traits of Rural Use land use. One letter referenced commercial aspects defined Rural Use classification: "To wit 'Rural Use' areas contain significant ecotones, critical wildlife habitat and should enhance the aesthetic and economic benefit derived from the park atmosphere. Clearly, a ballistic testing area would not enhance the aesthetic benefit to anyone with earshot of the facility," they wrote "With respect to the economic benefit of the proposed project, it is worth noting that Whispering Pines Campground on Route 9 in Lewis is within the sound impact area. As a seasonal tourism destination, Essex County is dependent on tourism revenue our primary industry." Others pointed to nearby ballistics testing facilities: "I would vote no on the proposed testing range. Fort Drum has firing ranges for howitzers. In fact, one of the largest on the East Coast. It is called Range 48, which is used for howitzer training and live fire exercises. I see no reason why a government contractor specializing in the ballistics of howitzer barrels could not use the fort's Adirondack Joint Range." Letters expressed support, particularly as it relates to U.S. military innovation: "I am writing in support of the proposed activity," one commenter wrote. "I feel that reasonable measures are proposed for public notification and project safety in connection with the proposed activity. Impacts such as noise, however brief, are seldom welcomed but often come with the territory....when that territory encompasses research and testing that is important to moving our defense projects forward. "I can appreciate the responsibility those that oversee Adirondack Park must feel. However, the proposed test firings will cumulatively last a few moments, and after those moments have passed, Adirondack Park will revert to the same peaceful place it is presently. I do not foresee any lasting adverse impacts from the project." A resident of Willsboro said they also support the project: "I am all for supporting this project and feel a sense of pride that this is happening in our county! There is never a 0% chance something isn't going to go wrong, this is the perfect area for this! I live in the next town over!" they wrote. "I would let them use my property if needed! There is a huge history of military service in this area. 100% in favor of this project moving forward." Other former military weighed in, in part to say testing here is unnecessary: "I was stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground, which is quite large, yet we were never permitted to test large caliber weapons lest they go astray and leave the confines of the post. Hence, these weapons were tested in the vast reaches of Ft. Sill, by artillery technicians with years of experience." They added that "this project is fundamentally unnecessary, in fact, it's superfluous. If the US Army needed these weapons, it would bid them out in the appropriate manner, with all the requisite standards and safeguards in place. "This project has nothing to do with that process. It is a private, for-profit, startup, hoping to develop something it can sell to the military, but at enormous cost to the Park, and those of us who love it and live in it. It is simply reckless to let this project go forward." Another resident referenced military training activity conducted without warning under the auspices of Unconventional Concepts in September, which left many residents alarmed. A lifelong resident wrote: "I highly support the research and training of our military. I do however have concerns of this operation and the site. During the recent 'training' military helicopters flew very low and fast over the bridge and dam in Wadhams NY. Traffic stopped because it was so intimidating. "I feel the oversight of these operations are not thorough. I am concerned about future testing operations. I encourage you to deny this project."

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Public weighs in heavily against ballistics testing in Lewis

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