Federal judge clears way for F-35 basing

A federal judge in Burlington has ruled that an environmental impact statement completed by the U.S. Air Force about basing F-35 fighter jets in Vermont complies with standards set by the National Environmental Policy Act, clearing the way for the planes' arrival in 2019.

The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by the Stop the F-35 Coalition and six Chittenden County residents against Secretary of Air Force Deborah Lee James. Winooski had joined the lawsuit on the side of the plaintiffs, and South Burlington submitted a brief backing the plaintiffs, as well.

U.S. District Court Judge Geoffrey Crawford issued his decision Wednesday to resolve several motions in the case.

"It is clear that Defendant took a 'hard look' at the environmental consequences of the basing decision, including the specific areas about which the Plaintiffs complain," Crawford wrote in his decision. "It is also clear that the EIS process served its second purpose of generating public interest and examination of the agency's decision-making process."

Read more: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/local/2016/08/10/federal-judge-clears-way-f-35-basing/88535978/