Airport study deserves to be reviewed by all

St. Charles Parish’s battle against expansion of the New Orleans International Airport is one in which all of the River Parishes’ residents need to take a concern. The main alternative is the construction from the ground up of a new regional airport elsewhere, likely upriver in St. James or Assumption parishes, though possible sites have been mentioned on the west banks of St. Charles and St. John the Baptist parishes.

The proposals for a new runway in St. Charles Parish will, according to the belief of parish officials and St. Rose residents, be devastating to homes and businesses.

The potential positive impact for a new upriver, regional airport could provide an economic boom to an area in need of new jobs, commerce and industry, and a corresponding jump to the parish tax base.

That translates into more money for schools, drainage, roads and other public services, and it would be of real benefit to the region, providing the site is not too close to any present residential or commercial development. Fortunately, this upriver region has thousands of acres of possible sites far away from such development.

While the Federal Aviation Administration is pursuing an environmental impact study, of which the current public forums are a part, the Louisiana Airport Authority is also running a risk-analysis study for a new airport, with FAA funding.

The FAA is exploring all possible options, and any option will affect all of us. Much of present-day Kenner owes its existence to the airport in its midst. However, with poor planning playing a part by locating the airport too close to residential areas, it also shares in the risk, as in the 1982 plane crash in mid-Kenner.

This time, through proper planning and site location, a new regional airport could provide a vitally-needed economic boost to the River Parishes area without displacing long-established neighborhoods or demolishing one of the highest-quality business parks in the nation.

River Parishes residents have an opportunity to make their voices heard now. We should make our feelings and ideas known to those in authority who are asking for our input.

New Orleans Airport must either expand or be content at its present size and capabilities. However, expansion of air services for southeast Louisiana is needed at the same time.

This expansion need not be made on the backs of the current residents, the loss of protected wetlands and the crippling of our tax base. There’s a positive alternative.

L’Observateur