Black Hawk Noise Letter Sent by Council

Trying to balance the needs of a local military base against noise objections from nearby residents, the Los Alamitos City Council approved a carefully worded letter of concern to the Army on Monday night.

At issue are plans to transfer a second Black Hawk helicopter unit to the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base, a move that would bring additional aircraft flights and noise.  

Mayor Pro Tem Troy Edgar wanted the letter to emphasize council support of the base’s overall mission, while Councilwoman Gerri Graham Mejia wanted to make sure residents’ objections weren't overshadowed. With help from the city manager, the letter was modified to reflect both wishes.

The final draft, signed by Mayor Kenneth Stephens and approved by a unanimous council vote, says the city is "concerned that the additional helicopter traffic, absent a highly effective noise mitigation program, could result in significant negative effects."

To head off trouble, the letter urges the Army to:

• Adhere to designated arrival and departure flight paths
• Document specific pilot infractions
• Designate a contact person and phone number if violations are observed
• Maintain strict adherence to the Noise Abatement Program and the Clean Water Act

Five letters from residents -- two in favor of the new helicopter unit and three against -- will also be included with the council's letter.

In the letters, Curt and Annette Castagna of Rossmoor, and Ms. Darren Minter voiced support for the base. Minter, who lives near the base, said it gets unfairly blamed for other area aircraft noise.

Opposition came from area residents James and Judy Owens, Stephen Taylor and Dave Hauske. Hauske wrote that the new unit would add 676 more flights per year and affect Seal Beach, Garden Grove, Cypress, Los Alamitos and Rossmoor. He especially objected to night operations that run till 10 p.m. and “literally make the windows rattle.”

Base commander Brig. Gen. Keith Jones has given reports to and received noise complaints from the Seal Beach and Los Alamitos city councils. After hearing complaints from residents and city officials, he successfully lobbied the U.S. Army to extend the public comment period to Thursday to give residents more time to sound off.

According to the Army, the new Black Hawk company would perform light helicopter maintenance and conduct flight-training operations including departure and landing exercises. Generally, the helicopters fly about 700 feet off the ground, and they do tight turns along the perimeter of the base.

The proposal would relocate an eight-helicopter reserve unit from Victorville to Los Alamitos, which could mean up to 15 additional helicopter flights per week at the base. The proposed relocation would bring an 87-member Army Reserve Aviation Unit of 29 full-time personnel, 58 part-time reserve soldiers and eight UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. The move is expected to save the Army $83,000 a month.

The base’s noise hotline is 562-795-2573, and the proposal’s environmental
assessment is available at the Rossmoor Library or at www.army-nepa.info.

Story corrected at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to clarify that the resident comments presented Monday were from letters being forwarded by the council.