Wendell News Outlet
Informational News of interest for the citizens in and around Wendell, North Carolina. Postings on this site are the property of Glenn Harris and cannot be copied without express written permission. Archives are listed at the bottom of the home page.Sunday, January 13, 2008
WENDELL, ARE YOU READY FOR AN AIRPORT? HERE IT COMES!
Wendell residents, are you ready to embrace a General Aviation Airport located just east of Marshburn Road in Wendell? If so, it appears your wish will be granted! For those of us who don’t believe Wendell should be saddled with this fire breathing behemoth, belching toxic fumes; congestion and noise conditions you have to shout above to be heard ; we had better wake up and smell the coffee!
After reading the Airport Feasibility Study published on the Wendell web-site (http://www.townofwendell.com/) I became concerned. The town I moved to 18 years ago, for peace and serenity, is now faced with one of its greatest decisions: does Wendell want to become the home to a General Aviation Airport?
What follows are a few of the negative aspects of allowing an airport to be built in this town. Hopefully some proponent of the airport will respond to my article with what they consider the positive side of the issue so as to present a balanced view of the proposal. There are always two sides to every issue and we all need to hear both before making up our minds.
1- The Noise Factor!
It would be possible to write a small book with all the complaints about the noise created by aircraft taking off; landing; circling and practicing maneuvers. Rather than state my own beliefs, I have copied some of the proposed noise control conditions promulgated by the City of Los Angeles, for its Van Nuys General Aviation Airport to give you an idea of what areas they see as the noise problems:
These proposals are to “Promote programs and measures that reduce aircraft noise near residential areas by addressing such factors as the number and type of aircraft and helicopters, the location of aircraft and helicopter facilities on airport property, hours of operation and flight patterns as permitted by local and federal law:
A. Construct or modify noise walls using the most advanced state of the art technology in a manner that can alleviate noise to the lowest levels possible where feasible.
B. Reduce unnecessary noise impacts, restrict aviation dedicated land uses to those that comply with California Department of Transportation Airport Noise Standards
C. New noise sensitive building uses should be soundproofed with an interior aircraft noise level of 45dB CNEL in all habitable rooms of noise sensitive structures and provide a noise easement from the developer to the City.
D. Encourage development of effective noise barriers in airport areas when and where appropriate.
E. Encourage media and public service helicopter operations to be conducted at a time and in a manner that minimizes the noise impact on over flown residents.
F. Establish flight track, time of day and altitude criteria for future helicopter operations.
G. Conduct studies with the goal of eliminating all jet and helicopter operations between the hours of 10 pm and 7:00 am the next day.
H. Establish a maximum daytime noise level for all aircraft of 77 d.b.a., based on takeoff noise levels for each aircraft. This measure would effectively eliminate all Stage 2 jets and some Stage 3 jets.
I. Analyze separately the application of a maximum daytime noise limit to Stage 2 and Stage 3 jets to properly assess the costs and benefits of these measures.
J. Establish a system of differential landing fees for aircraft using Van Nuys Airport with higher landing fees for noisier aircraft and lower landing fees for quieter aircraft.”
Sounds like there must be a lot of noise to contend with, doesn’t it?
2 - Air Pollution Created by Aircraft
Following is an indication of current concerns about the use of lead based gasoline in general aviation aircraft.
“Friends of the Earth” has filed a petition with EPA, requesting
the EPA find pursuant to section 231 of the Clean Air Act that lead emissions from general aviation aircraft cause or contribute to air pollution that may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare and that EPA propose emissions standards for lead from general aviation aircraft. Studies increasingly show that lead in any quantity threatens the public welfare.
Lead emissions from general aviation aircraft constitute a substantial proportion of all current lead air emissions. As a result of the use of leaded aviation gasoline, humans and ecological receptors at or near general aviation airports may be exposed to elevated levels of lead.''
With the development of the Little River reservoir, just north of the proposed airport in Wendell, the question arises whether or not aircraft from this airport would be allowed to take-off over, or approach the proposed field to land, in the vicinity of the reservoir. If restricted from doing so this would greatly reduce the airspace the aircraft would have to maneuver for a take-off or landing.
3 - Toxic Materials as a byproduct of an airport
Following are a few of the more insidious toxic materials and problems generated during the care of aircraft.
Runway/Taxiway Deicing
• "Pavement deicing on runway and taxiway surfaces ensures that there is adequate traction for aircraft during taxiing, take off, and landing. Typically, deicing fluid contains propylene glycol and corrosion inhibitors to protect sensitive aircraft components. These chemicals can be harmful to the environment if not handled and disposed of properly."
Aircraft and Ground Vehicle Fueling - Maintenance
• "Fuel supplies arrive at the airports by pipeline or truck and are kept in large above ground storage tanks. Proper procedures and training for fueling and spill response play an important role in eliminating discharges of fuel into the storm-water system. "
• "The maintenance and cleaning of aircraft and ground vehicles has the potential to contaminate storm-water if performed in areas that drain to the storm system or if spills and leaks are not cleaned up immediately."
In conclusion, I feel there must be some beneficial aspects to having an airport square in the middle of Wendell, but what they are escapes me for the moment. Won’t somebody tell me how wonderful it will be to see and hear the jets, helicopters and piston driven planes as the fly over our homes dropping their lead based pollution; creating ear-splitting noise and in general making our lives so much better? I’m not looking forward to the experience!
After reading the Airport Feasibility Study published on the Wendell web-site (http://www.townofwendell.com/) I became concerned. The town I moved to 18 years ago, for peace and serenity, is now faced with one of its greatest decisions: does Wendell want to become the home to a General Aviation Airport?
What follows are a few of the negative aspects of allowing an airport to be built in this town. Hopefully some proponent of the airport will respond to my article with what they consider the positive side of the issue so as to present a balanced view of the proposal. There are always two sides to every issue and we all need to hear both before making up our minds.
1- The Noise Factor!
It would be possible to write a small book with all the complaints about the noise created by aircraft taking off; landing; circling and practicing maneuvers. Rather than state my own beliefs, I have copied some of the proposed noise control conditions promulgated by the City of Los Angeles, for its Van Nuys General Aviation Airport to give you an idea of what areas they see as the noise problems:
These proposals are to “Promote programs and measures that reduce aircraft noise near residential areas by addressing such factors as the number and type of aircraft and helicopters, the location of aircraft and helicopter facilities on airport property, hours of operation and flight patterns as permitted by local and federal law:
A. Construct or modify noise walls using the most advanced state of the art technology in a manner that can alleviate noise to the lowest levels possible where feasible.
B. Reduce unnecessary noise impacts, restrict aviation dedicated land uses to those that comply with California Department of Transportation Airport Noise Standards
C. New noise sensitive building uses should be soundproofed with an interior aircraft noise level of 45dB CNEL in all habitable rooms of noise sensitive structures and provide a noise easement from the developer to the City.
D. Encourage development of effective noise barriers in airport areas when and where appropriate.
E. Encourage media and public service helicopter operations to be conducted at a time and in a manner that minimizes the noise impact on over flown residents.
F. Establish flight track, time of day and altitude criteria for future helicopter operations.
G. Conduct studies with the goal of eliminating all jet and helicopter operations between the hours of 10 pm and 7:00 am the next day.
H. Establish a maximum daytime noise level for all aircraft of 77 d.b.a., based on takeoff noise levels for each aircraft. This measure would effectively eliminate all Stage 2 jets and some Stage 3 jets.
I. Analyze separately the application of a maximum daytime noise limit to Stage 2 and Stage 3 jets to properly assess the costs and benefits of these measures.
J. Establish a system of differential landing fees for aircraft using Van Nuys Airport with higher landing fees for noisier aircraft and lower landing fees for quieter aircraft.”
Sounds like there must be a lot of noise to contend with, doesn’t it?
2 - Air Pollution Created by Aircraft
Following is an indication of current concerns about the use of lead based gasoline in general aviation aircraft.
“Friends of the Earth” has filed a petition with EPA, requesting
the EPA find pursuant to section 231 of the Clean Air Act that lead emissions from general aviation aircraft cause or contribute to air pollution that may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare and that EPA propose emissions standards for lead from general aviation aircraft. Studies increasingly show that lead in any quantity threatens the public welfare.
Lead emissions from general aviation aircraft constitute a substantial proportion of all current lead air emissions. As a result of the use of leaded aviation gasoline, humans and ecological receptors at or near general aviation airports may be exposed to elevated levels of lead.''
With the development of the Little River reservoir, just north of the proposed airport in Wendell, the question arises whether or not aircraft from this airport would be allowed to take-off over, or approach the proposed field to land, in the vicinity of the reservoir. If restricted from doing so this would greatly reduce the airspace the aircraft would have to maneuver for a take-off or landing.
3 - Toxic Materials as a byproduct of an airport
Following are a few of the more insidious toxic materials and problems generated during the care of aircraft.
Runway/Taxiway Deicing
• "Pavement deicing on runway and taxiway surfaces ensures that there is adequate traction for aircraft during taxiing, take off, and landing. Typically, deicing fluid contains propylene glycol and corrosion inhibitors to protect sensitive aircraft components. These chemicals can be harmful to the environment if not handled and disposed of properly."
Aircraft and Ground Vehicle Fueling - Maintenance
• "Fuel supplies arrive at the airports by pipeline or truck and are kept in large above ground storage tanks. Proper procedures and training for fueling and spill response play an important role in eliminating discharges of fuel into the storm-water system. "
• "The maintenance and cleaning of aircraft and ground vehicles has the potential to contaminate storm-water if performed in areas that drain to the storm system or if spills and leaks are not cleaned up immediately."
In conclusion, I feel there must be some beneficial aspects to having an airport square in the middle of Wendell, but what they are escapes me for the moment. Won’t somebody tell me how wonderful it will be to see and hear the jets, helicopters and piston driven planes as the fly over our homes dropping their lead based pollution; creating ear-splitting noise and in general making our lives so much better? I’m not looking forward to the experience!
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For the last few days I have been thinking about Mr. Crammer’s opinion about a regional airport located in Wendell. As a parent of children in an elementary school here in town, I am sure that I am looking at this from a different perspective than he is. I am aware of the large percentage of families that receive free and reduced lunches. From first hand experience, I understand that families that are under financial stress are often spread thin in many other domestic areas of their lives. This percentage is growing here in eastern Wake County.
Trying to understand why this is happening is difficult. My perspective is that since the decline of the tobacco industry, this region has not had a reason to attract new businesses and industries until recently. The opening of highways 264 and the 540 now makes Eastern Wake County geographically commutable to both the greater Raleigh area and Interstate 95. Eastern Wake County now has something to sell that will attract businesses and industries....location, location, location.
Mr. Crammer stated that he moved to Wendell for “peace and serenity”. I think that many of our residents, including myself, moved here for similar reasons...”small town charm”. We don’t want our little town to change. The reality is that change happens and it cannot be stopped. Which type of change is worse, an alarmingly high poverty rate or the urban sprawl that comes with economic prosperity?
Mr. Crammer describes a regional airport as a “fire breathing behemoth, belching toxic fumes; congestion and noise conditions you have to shout above to be heard”. This is an accurate description of many things in our society including home heating furnaces, industrial furnaces, cars, trucks, trains, and yes, planes and helicopters. With each of the mentioned “fire breathers” the question is “What is the affected zone and are the positive consequences worth the negative consequences?”
Mr. Crammer used the Van Nuys Airport locate just outside of Los Angeles, CA as an example of a regional airport trying to deal with its excessive noise problems. Here is a link to the Van Nuys Airport’s webpage http://www.lawa.org/vny/generalDescription.cfm and a link to the airport’s brochure http://www.lawa.org/vny/pdf/Where%20Progress%20Takes%20Flight%20Brochure.pdf
This airport is over 80 years old. It is the world’s busiest regional airport. It has an economic impact of over one billion dollars a year to the local economy. I am sure that 80 years ago when the airport was first planned, nobody thought it would ever get to be this big.
Fortunately, eastern Wake County can benefit from this airports experience. We can plan for a regional airport to be an economic engine for our region. We can plan for a noise affected zone and use this area as commercial and industrial zoning. We can plan for increased traffic demands. Environmental impact studies can be done. The Environmental Protection Agency, the North Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the Army Corp of Engineers, and other agencies will have to be involved to make sure that our regions water supplies will not be negatively affected. Right now we are in a position of negotiation. Now is the time to raise concerns and work together to find the answers or compromises.
Change is happening. We can not stop it. We can only guide it along and try to make it work for us. Unfortunately, individuals resist change. We don’t like it and we will fight it as best we can. When we fight change, we lose the opportunity to guide it along. I hope Wake County and the Town of Wendell chooses to guide its change towards a more economically brighter future by embracing and planning a well thought out regional airport and surrounding area. The decisions surrounding this airport will have an economic impact on the entire region for the next hundred years as it did in California’s Van Nuys Regional Airport.
Gill Gunderson
Wendell, NC
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For the last few days I have been thinking about Mr. Crammer’s opinion about a regional airport located in Wendell. As a parent of children in an elementary school here in town, I am sure that I am looking at this from a different perspective than he is. I am aware of the large percentage of families that receive free and reduced lunches. From first hand experience, I understand that families that are under financial stress are often spread thin in many other domestic areas of their lives. This percentage is growing here in eastern Wake County.
Trying to understand why this is happening is difficult. My perspective is that since the decline of the tobacco industry, this region has not had a reason to attract new businesses and industries until recently. The opening of highways 264 and the 540 now makes Eastern Wake County geographically commutable to both the greater Raleigh area and Interstate 95. Eastern Wake County now has something to sell that will attract businesses and industries....location, location, location.
Mr. Crammer stated that he moved to Wendell for “peace and serenity”. I think that many of our residents, including myself, moved here for similar reasons...”small town charm”. We don’t want our little town to change. The reality is that change happens and it cannot be stopped. Which type of change is worse, an alarmingly high poverty rate or the urban sprawl that comes with economic prosperity?
Mr. Crammer describes a regional airport as a “fire breathing behemoth, belching toxic fumes; congestion and noise conditions you have to shout above to be heard”. This is an accurate description of many things in our society including home heating furnaces, industrial furnaces, cars, trucks, trains, and yes, planes and helicopters. With each of the mentioned “fire breathers” the question is “What is the affected zone and are the positive consequences worth the negative consequences?”
Mr. Crammer used the Van Nuys Airport locate just outside of Los Angeles, CA as an example of a regional airport trying to deal with its excessive noise problems. Here is a link to the Van Nuys Airport’s webpage http://www.lawa.org/vny/generalDescription.cfm and a link to the airport’s brochure http://www.lawa.org/vny/pdf/Where%20Progress%20Takes%20Flight%20Brochure.pdf
This airport is over 80 years old. It is the world’s busiest regional airport. It has an economic impact of over one billion dollars a year to the local economy. I am sure that 80 years ago when the airport was first planned, nobody thought it would ever get to be this big.
Fortunately, eastern Wake County can benefit from this airports experience. We can plan for a regional airport to be an economic engine for our region. We can plan for a noise affected zone and use this area as commercial and industrial zoning. We can plan for increased traffic demands. Environmental impact studies can be done. The Environmental Protection Agency, the North Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the Army Corp of Engineers, and other agencies will have to be involved to make sure that our regions water supplies will not be negatively affected. Right now we are in a position of negotiation. Now is the time to raise concerns and work together to find the answers or compromises.
Change is happening. We can not stop it. We can only guide it along and try to make it work for us. Unfortunately, individuals resist change. We don’t like it and we will fight it as best we can. When we fight change, we lose the opportunity to guide it along. I hope Wake County and the Town of Wendell chooses to guide its change towards a more economically brighter future by embracing and planning a well thought out regional airport and surrounding area. The decisions surrounding this airport will have an economic impact on the entire region for the next hundred years as it did in California’s Van Nuys Regional Airport.
Gill Gunderson
Wendell, NC
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