NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – An environmental group is accusing the U.S. Air Force of withholding public records related to proposed flights. Those flights would harm life on the ground, the Center for Biological Diversity claims.
“These deafening flights pose a serious threat to the people and animals who call these remote wildlands home,” Trisha Sharma, a legal fellow at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a press release. “Jets thundering overhead create health problems for people and harm imperiled animals, so it’s disappointing that the Air Force has gone radio silent in providing this crucial information.”
The complaint filed in federal court claims the Center for Biological Diversity requested public records relating to training routes, missions, and operational plans over land in New Mexico and Arizona. The Center for Biological Diversity claims Luke Air Force Base has taken more than 16 months to produce any public records for the request.
The Center for Biological Diversity is concerned that the Air Force might be planning loud, low-level flights over sensitive areas, such as Tribal communities, national monuments, and conservation areas. That could include flights over the Gila Wilderness, the Center for Biological Diversity claims.
KRQE News 13 reached out to the Air Force for comment. They said they cannot comment on pending litigation and did not respond to questions about flight paths in New Mexico.