Search for a new airport was flawed from start

Well, the hunt for a new airport location is redirected (“WA lawmakers punt hunt for major airport site far into the future,” The Herald, May 16). Out with the Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission (CACC) and in with a new governmental group, with no mandate to recommend specific locations and no deadline to make any decisions. Wonderful!

Air passenger traffic here is growing steadily, and yet again, the state of Washington is way behind. Much like building light rail 40 years too late. What I find most incredible (as in incredibly stupid) is the fact that just prior to it being disbanded, the CACC released a factoid that should have everyone shaking their heads. Here is the news: upon further study, a site near Enumclaw was found to be unviable because — now get this — its potential flight approach patterns overlapped those of Sea-Tac. Now this may seem elementary, but if I was looking for a place to put an airport, one of the first questions that I’d ask is; “Can we actually fly in and out of here and not hit another airplane”?

But apparently the CACC didn’t realize that this could be a show stopper until “further study.” Really? I wonder just how long they kept Enumclaw on the list before anyone spotted this problem. It’s probably a good thing that the CACC is no more.

Brian Mills

Snohomish

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Saturday, May 4

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

A radiation warning sign along the road near the Hanford Site in Washington state, on Aug. 10, 2022. Hanford, the largest and most contaminated of all American nuclear weapons production sites, is too polluted to ever be returned to public use. Cleanup efforts are now at an inflection point.  (Mason Trinca/The New York Times)
Editorial: Latest Hanford cleanup plan must be scrutinized

A new plan for treating radioactive wastes offers a quicker path, but some groups have questions.

Eco-nomics: The climate success we can look forward to

Finding success in confronting climate change demands innovation, will, courage and service above self.

Comment: Innovation, policy join to slash air travel pollution

Technology, aided by legislation, is quickly developing far cleaner fuels to carry air travel into the future.

Comment: Parents can recruit teen’s friends for safer driving

Rather than adding to distractions, peers can encourage safer driving habits for young drivers.

Sauk-Suiattle Chief Jim Brown, a young granddaughter, and daughter Ellen near Packwood, Wash., circa 1910. (Photo courtesy of Kara Briggs)
Forum: Setting record straight on Sauk-Suiattle chief’s daughter

A recent Herald article misstated a dowry paid for my great-grandmother as her being sold into slavery.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, May 3

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

A driver in a Tesla reportedly on "autopilot" allegedly crashed into a Snohomish County Sheriff's Office patrol SUV that was parked on the roadside Saturday in Lake Stevens. There were no injuries. (Snohomish County Sheriff's Office)
Editorial: Tesla’s Autopilot may be ‘unsafe at any speed’

An accident in Maltby involving a Tesla and a motorcycle raises fresh concerns amid hundreds of crashes.

Schwab: Challanged by a letter writer; why Biden is better

Rather than explain why not to re-enter a burning building, some reasons to stick with President Biden.

RFK’s good traits don’t cancel out his conspriacy theories

A recent Herald opinion piece professed admiration for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.,… Continue reading

It’s up to God to judge Trump’s, Biden’s faith

A recent letter to the editor questioned the Christianity of Donald Trump.… Continue reading

Set up single-payer health care coverage

I agree with a recent letter regarding health care spending. This country… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.