BHAS Calls for Environmental Impact Study before Airport Expansion
Black Hills Audubon is a co-appellant arguing that the Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS) relating to the proposed Airport Master Plan expansion is grossly inadequate and that a full Environmental Impact Study (EIS) is needed. The scientific portion of the appeal document was prepared by Betsy Norton, with help from Laurie Gneiding and Charlotte Persons and others, all representing the BHAS Conservation Committee.
This scientific analysis focuses on three subspecies found at the airport and listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). These are the Streaked Horned Lark (federally Threatened and State Endangered), Olympia Pocket Gopher (federally and State Threatened) and Oregon Vesper Sparrow (State Endangered).
Of particular concern to BHAS is the piecemeal approach to the environmental effects of future airport development that can overlook the cumulative consequences of continued development over time.
In addition to the effects of the airport expansion on wildlife, habitat, and climate change, the appeal also deals with increased noise from aircraft and with water quality in the critical aquifer that underlies the airport and provides drinking water for Tumwater. Voting on adopting the Plan is now on hold until the appeal can be presented to a hearing examiner and a decision on the appeal is completed.
Photo credit: “Last airplane starting at TXL” by Leonard Lenz. Public Domain.
