| The Massachusetts Sierra Club
has worked with groups from around New England to promote a moratorium
on airport expansion until increased intermodal transportation planning
and health assessments are completed. This would include a comprehensive
health study of the effects of airplanes and airports on local
communities. Alternatives exist for airport expansion, particularly
for trips of less than 400 miles, the typical trip length of many of the
planes that are using Logan's new runway. Completing the North-South
Rail Link in Boston is part of this effort. Completion and upgrading of
the Northeast Corridor rail network means that high speed trains can
offer a viable alternative to flying. See the
North-South Rail Link page for more
information.
Did you know...
- Logan Airport is the sixth greatest polluter in Massachusetts. The
first five are all power plants.
- Airplane emissions are not regulated by the EPA or the Clean Air
Act.
2008: Logan's New Runway
Citizens sue FAA over air traffic
Click here for a copy of the
lawsuit
By Katheleen Conti, Globe Staff | May 8, 2008
A group of Chelsea residents, including a city councilor, has sued
the Federal Aviation Administration, arguing that noise levels over the
city have become intolerable as a result of the increased use of runway
33L for departures at Logan Airport. The residents contend the increased
activity constitutes a change in runway use that warrants a public
environmental review process that the FAA failed to initiate.
In a complaint filed April 30 in US District Court in Boston,
attorney Peter L. Koff states that "the actions taken by the FAA to
change runway usage at Logan Airport were done without it making an
informed decision." Koff, who is also the Cambridge representative in
his role as a member of the Logan Airport Community Advisory Committee (CAC),
filed suit on behalf of four Chelsea residents, including City Councilor
Roy A. Avellaneda, and three residents from East Boston, Charlestown,
and Medford. They are seeking relief from the noise as well as
attorney's fees.
Click here for more
Records of Decisions
There continues to be collusion between the Federal Aviation
Authority and its dealings with the airports over which it has
jurisdiction. It collaborates with airports to write EIS reports, works
with consultants and then rules on the document.
FAA Approves Logan Airport's Centerfield Taxiway
From the Record of Decision in 2002, The FAA and The Massachusetts
Port Authority have now cleared the way for a new 4500 foot Centerfield
Taxiway which will be located between the two major 4/22 runways which
are 9,500 and 10,000 feet. Mitigation Measure 3 From August 2, 2002,
Record of Decision, Airside Improvements Planning Project (Centerfield
Taxiway approval) April 20, 2007.
Click
here for more.
FAA Approves Logan Runway
The FAA announced its Record of Decision allowing for Runway 14/32
as a unidirectional runway with a 10-knot (11.5 mph) wind restriction
August 2002. Airside Improvement Planning Project (Runway 1432) August
2, 2002. Click here
for more.
What you can do:
Contact Senators Kerry and Brown and your congressman and tell them
they need to speak out against the airport expansion plans. Ask them to
support alternatives such as high-speed rail.
Contact the
Governor and tell him that the Massport should not be embarking on
an unnecessary and unhealthy airport expansion plans and to STOP the
Centerfield Taxiway. The health impacts of this plan are enormous.
For more information:
Taxiway Plan Upsets Neighbors - Boston Globe
Wikipedia's article on Logan Airport
Massport and Logan Airport
Airport Runway Diagram
Satellite photo of Logan Airport and the Surrounding Community
|
