The owner of Harvey Airfield is pursuing plans to expand this airfield. The requested expansion into farmland is in a known flood plain. Because the expansion has to be built above the previous flood level to meet FEMA requirements, the next floods will cause increased damage to the homes and farms south of the airport and also to Highway 9.
This highway is a major route between Arlington and Woodinville. The backup of traffic during rush hours is extensive. Without Highway 9, traffic would have to be routed to I-5 or through Monroe. These routes are already over-burdened.
The proposed airport expansion would cross the road south of the airport. Apparently, there is no plan to replace this road. This road is heavily used during rush hours so additional traffic would be added to Highway 9.
Arlington’s airport is just 19 miles to the north of Snohomish. This large airport can easily accommodate the larger planes the owner of Harvey Field is proposing to handle. Additionally, Paine Field is nine miles to the east of Snohomish.
An expansion of Harvey Field would benefit the owner and probably 100 pilots. It will have a detrimental effect on nearby families, farms and thousands of commuters.
SHELLEY MIARS
Snohomish
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