The slide indicates that some of the proposed projects are to be primarily funded by grants. Most federal grants for airport projects come with strings attached – 20-year obligations that significantly limit local control over things such as types and numbers of aircraft allowed to utilize the airport, hours of operation, etc.
Port of Olympia Commissioners should decline federal grant money for airport projects that limit local control, as officials in a growing number of other airport communities have done / are doing.
Revenue derived from things such as sales of aviation fuel and New Market and airport rental fees and leases should be sufficient to fund airport maintenance costs.
While incrementally expanding the airport footprint and infrastructure over the years to accommodate growth, the Port has failed to adequately consider adverse impacts of increased flights on our community, such as impacts on local climate mitigation plans, on public health, on wildlife, and on residential property values, etc. Information that has been released thus far about the upcoming Airport Master Plan Update indicate plans to forge ahead with a new commercial passenger terminal with 500 parking spaces and room for more, taxiway changes which would increase capacity, runway refurbishing (most likely to include strengthening to accommodate heavier aircraft), an area for aircraft deicing, a new turf runway and more.
The Olympia airport is located only about 5 miles south of downtown Olympia. Flight paths of low-flying aircraft go over nearby residential neighborhoods, schools and parks to the north as well as a State Park and wildlife refuges to the south. Flights have increased in recent years (due, in part to flight school and recreational aircraft based at the airport that often fly in circles overhead as well as to the extraordinary numbers of helicopters allowed to utilize the airport.) New flight paths have been created. Once quiet residential neighborhoods and pristine parks are now being inundated with aircraft noise, particularly on clear-weather days.
We do not need more aircraft flying over Thurston County. Alternatives to air transport, such as rail, should be promoted.
Please urge Port Commissioners to decline federal grant funding for airport projects that comes with stings attached that relinquish local control.
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