The battle over commercial air service at Snohomish County's Paine Field has entered another phase as a critical environmental impact assessment is being released for public review and comment.
Paine Field - Are commercial flights on the horizon? (Photo: Sno Co Gov.)
According to an announcement in County Executive Aaron Reardon's weekly electronic newsletter:
"A draft environmental assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act on two proposals to initiate commercial air service at Paine Field was released Friday for public review and comment.
The environmental review was conducted in response to two requests to begin commercial air service at Paine Field received by Snohomish County in 2008.
Although Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon and some County Council members have said they do not support commercial air service at Paine Field, federal law obligates the county to accommodate commercial service. Federal law does not allow the county to prohibit or limit scheduled passenger air service. Instead, it requires that the county negotiate with the airlines in good faith to accommodate their proposed service.Horizon Airlines has indicated it wants to operate four times a day to Portland and twice per day to Spokane, using 75-seat Bombardier Q400 turboprop airplanes on both routes. Allegiant has said it plans to operate twice a week to Las Vegas, using 150-seat MD83 jet aircraft.
Before airlines may begin commercial service, the FAA must amend the county’s operating certificate for Paine Field as well as the airlines’ operating specifications. The county was required to prepare the environmental assessment for FAA approval before those amendments can occur. The preparation of the environmental assessment was funded by an FAA grant and by the time reviews are finished is expected to have cost more than $450,000.
Key points of the draft environmental assessment include:
1. Considering all current aircraft operations (take offs and landings) at Paine Field, federal noise thresholds are not expected to be exceeded by these additional flights.
2. Traffic mitigation fees will be required, though expected increases in vehicular traffic at Paine Field will not cause any Snohomish County arterials or Mukilteo, Washington State DOT, or Everett intersections to change to a deficient level of service.
3. Emissions affecting air quality will be minimal and below federal impact thresholds.
The draft environmental assessment is available for review at the airport office, at http://www.painefield.com/airserviceea.html, at www.snoco.org/departments/airport and also in local public libraries.
The public now has the opportunity to review and comment on the draft environmental assessment before a final determination is made by the FAA. Comments may be submitted by email to cayla.morgan@faa.gov or airserviceeacomments@snoco.org.
Comments sent by mail should be addressed to:
1. Cayla Morgan, Environmental Protection Specialist, Seattle Airports District Office, Federal Aviation Administration, 1601 Lind Avenue S.W., Renton, WA 98057-3356.
2. Dave Waggoner, Director, Snohomish County Airport, 3220 100th Street S.W., Suite A, Everett, WA 98204.
The deadline for comments is January 15, 2010.Comments also can be submitted in person during two scheduled public meetings. Public meetings have been scheduled for Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, at Meadowdale High School in Lynnwood, and Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010, at the Snohomish County PUD Auditorium in Everett.
A moderator will conduct the public hearings, during which citizens will be allowed three minutes per person to comment, or written comments can be submitted. A stenographer will transcribe citizens’ comments. The FAA will review and issue an environmental finding once the county submits the final NEPA environmental assessment. That final document will include any comments submitted on the draft document."
The battle over commercial air service at the former Air Force base in south Everett has been ongoing for years with sides being drawn between local business leaders and residents of the communities directly affected by current and projected flight paths. The cities of Mukilteo, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and Woodway have previously approved resolutions opposing passenger flights at the airport. The city of Everett has approved a resolution supporting new flights. Paine Field is currently serving as the home for Boeing's 747 and 787 facility as well as a home for small private planes. For more on the history of the battle read my previous articles,The not so friendly skies of Snohomish County and The not so friendly skies of Snohomish County - Part 2.
Peace,
Chad Shue
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