I have many questions regarding the plans for expanding Harvey Airfield.
Why is the FAA spending money planning on expanding an airport in a well-known flood area? We have major floods here every 15 years or so. Can’t the FAA find a more suitable area to serve as a reliever airport for Sea-Tac than a regularly declared federal disaster area?
How can FEMA even consider exempting this area from floodplain development restrictions? Can we not learn anything from experiences like the Hurricane Katrina flooding? The price of restoration and repair is an enormous burden to the taxpayers. Perhaps it is more prudent to avoid development here in the first place.
How much more is Snohomish County willing to pay? The County Council passed a motion in October 2005 authorizing unlimited funds to pursue a FEMA flood map revision and Endangered Species Act analysis to specifically enable the future development potential of Harvey Airfield. A virtual blank check.
What benefit does airport expansion bring to the city residents? While the benefits for pilots wishing to fly larger aircraft and small commuter jets in and out of Snohomish are obvious, what impact does this have on the residents of Snohomish? Does increasing the potential number of aircraft operations in and out of Snohomish by one third and allowing larger aircraft to fly enhance anyone’s quality of life in Snohomish? In order for the city to receive any economic benefit, they must annex this area into city limits. The city then becomes responsible for infrastructure services such as sewer, water and roads. Economic benefits must be weighed against the cost of infrastructure and future flood damage repairs.
This just doesn’t make sense to me. All I have are questions.
Barbara Bailey
Snohomish
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