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Input could have little effect on airport site
By Christy Scott
The Alpine Sun
SAN DIEGO – San Diego Airport Authority officials are ramping up efforts to inform the public and gather input on the selection of a new airport site in the County. In addition to a recent Web dialogue among residents and an information booth at the Del Mar Fair, the authority is launching a series of town hall events to answer resident question and get input.
“People have ideas about what we could do, should do, haven’t done,” said authority President and CEO Thella Bowens. “We’re trying to find out what those are.”
The Web dialogue, which encompassed hundreds of county residents sending thousands of messages, allowed people of varying backgrounds and expertise to discuss the future of the airport.
The prevailing opinion among many of the participants was that fixing Lindbergh Field is the only choice. Many commented about the unreasonable distance of an airport in Boulevard or Borrego and the damage it would cause the environment.
“The Airport Authority's consultants have proposed some bizarre locations for future airports that would clearly damage San Diego's delicate and valuable environment,” writes one participant going by the pseudonym Researcher. “One example is Borrego, a small community in the middle of one of America's most scenic and important state parks. Another bizarre choice is the scenic Campo area, a quiet example of California mountains that is of high scenic value.
“Much of San Diego's beauty and charm as a region is due to its scenic and stunning yet delicate Back Country. This heritage would be put at serious risk by placing an international airport complex there.”
Another common sentiment among dialogue participants was that the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) should be closed and the land used for a Lindbergh Field expansion.
“Lets zero in on Miramar (East, West or both),” writes a participant going by the name johnhamel. “There is just no better location, more accessible, more convenient and large enough area available within a reasonable distance for all San Diegans, tourists, visitors and business travelers.”
The recent announcement from the Base Realignment and Closure Commission that MCRD could be put back on the list of bases for closure has sprung hope for some who are fighting against an airport in the Back Country.
During a visit to the San Diego Naval Medical Center and Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, two of the bases slated for closure or downsizing, the commission's chairman, Anthony Principi said that MCRD would be added to the list.
“The recruit depot is clearly one of the bases that will be considered for closure,” Principi said.
Final announcement of BRAC closures will be announced by the pentagon in early November.
The town hall events will allow residents to get up close and personal with authority officials and ask questions.
“Our job now is to educate the voters and the public about what we’re doing,” said Bowens, who will be on hand at the question and answer events. “Part of our job is to do what people want.”
However, according to Bowens, public input does not currently have any effect on the outcome of the site selection process.
“At this point it’s completely scientific,” Bowens said. “I know the people in the Back Country are particularly concerned with the environmental impacts and that is something that is part of the scientific analysis.”
According to Bowens, the airport site issue must go on the ballot, but there is no certainty at this point how a ballot question would be phrased. Following the end of the site selection process electorates could be left with one or more sites to vote on. The vote will need a simple majority, 50 plus one, to pass, which Bowens admits does not give the airport authority a clear mandate for a new airport site.
“With a simple majority vote you never really have a mandate,” said Thella Bowens, “but you’re really never going to get a super majority on an issue like this.”
The first town hall event will be held Thursday, June 30 in El Cajon. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. at the East County Performing Arts Center. All those interested are encouraged to attend. A similar event will be coming to Alpine for East County and Back Country residents in early
November.
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Christy Scott
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