Newspaper Articles


Feds order new environmental study on Homestead airport project Associated Press, 12/24/97 The federal government has demanded a new environmental study of a plan to turn a hurricane-ravaged Air Force base into a commercial airport to relieve pressure on Miami Airport 30 miles to the north. An earlier study didn't consider changes such as increased cargo flights, which critics say are smokier and noisier than passenger flights because the planes tend to be older.

Bay Area economy demands greater transportation options Editorial, San Jose Mercury News, 12/18/97 Moffett Field is logical site for air cargo flights The SJMN complains that "the Sunnyvale and Mountain View city councils succumbed to Not-Over-My-Backyard pressure," when both city councils declared air cargo to be an unacceptable use of Moffett Federal airfield. "The point is," said the unnamed editorial writer, "that Moffett, as an airfield, is precious and irreplaceable." Responses from readers: It's a great site -- just not for an airport - Lenny Seigel HREF="980103-Burks.html">More runways will not solve air transport problems - William C. Burks How would it look if the Mercury News applied its' typically myopic brand of "regionalism" to other Bay Area "resources," say to Treasure Island. (parody)

Actual curfew violations are infrequent Letter to the editor, San Jose Mercury News, 12/15/97 San Jose Airport's Ralph Tonseth claims that despite popular conceptions, SJC has few violations of the letter of the airport's curfew regulations.

Oakland airport eyes expansion of $600 million San Jose Mercury News, 12/13/97 Officials hope an ambitious $600 million expansion will draw more travelers and cargo business to Oakland International Airport, despite threats of legal action from neighbors in San Leandro and Alameda. The Port Commission and city officials are set to approve an environmental review of the proposal, designed to triple cargo traffic and bring 50 percent more passengers to Oakland within three years. Residents of Alameda's Bay Farm Island say noise from the planes is already a problem and would only get worse with expansion. They have demanded an end to night cargo flights, a request airport officials have refused. San Leandro also is threatening to challenge the environmental review in court.

U.S. study warns of massive airport congestion Reuters, 12/11/97 U.S. airline passengers are doomed to massive airport congestion and more dangerous skies unless the agency that regulates the aviation industry gets a radical overhaul, a government study said Thursday. The National Civil Aviation Review Commission asked Congress and the White House to increase FAA funding, and partially privatize FAA to shield aviation regulation from partisan budget battles, in order to accomodate increased air traffic.

City takes air cargo off its list of options. Unanimous council accepts the rest of the CAC report The Sunnyvale Sun, 12/3/97 The council came out officially against air cargo as part of a much broader motion to accept a report from the Community Advisory Committee--a group of Sunnyvale and Mountain View residents that met for more than a year to develop short-term scenarios to keep Moffett afloat. The city of Mountain View adopted essentially the same policy last week by a vote to 6-1. Los Altos and Los Altos Hills recently passed resolutions against air cargo. The city's staff will develop a study plan for the council by no later than February that summarizes a course of action for several possible uses for the airfield. The scenarios the council will consider urging NASA to pursue are: developing a commercial space products center; expanding the Ames Technology Commercialization Center; developing an information technology institute; building an astrobiology institute; creating an air and space center; promoting air shows; encouraging a research and development campus and light industrial park; using the land for a film studio; expanding the existing space camp; and adding some land to the San Francisco Bay Trail.

Airport Noise Challenge Could Backfire Editorial, San Jose Mercury News, 11/24/97 Citizens Against Airport Pollution filed suit against the proposed expansion of San Jose Airport. Robert Harmssen says he hopes the curfew does hold up in court, but if not, it's better that neighbors find out now, not 10 years later when the airport is much busier. The Mercury favors the airport expansion.

Frankfurt positions itself as Europe's premier transportation hub Associated Press, 11/7/97 Airport officials hope that improvements at Frankfurt Germany's airport, and others planned, will allow the estimated 40 million passengers passing through the airport this year to increase to 60 million by 2005. A recent cargo facility project also should net Europe's No. 1 air-freight center new commercial business. The prospect of more Federal Express jets has worried the Commission for Protection Against Flight Noise, a citizen's group. Chairman Richard Mueller said he's concerned especially about noise at night, even if modern, quieter jets are used. A plane is only quiet, said Mueller, ``when it's standing parked at the airport with its engines off.''

Airport official: Dutch carrier may consider leaving Schiphol Associated Press, 11/6/97 KLM threatened to leave Amsterdam's airport unless noise regulations are relaxed to allow more growth in air traffic.

Menlo Park votes to join S.F. Airport advisory panel San Jose Mercury News, 9/25/97 Since 1995, residents of Peninsula cities have complained that flights to the airport are increasingly noisy and invasive, especially overnight. More flights are coming into San Francisco from the Pacific Rim. And newer airplanes, while quieter, often emit a lower sound frequency that vibrates more. At the request of the round table, the airport has proposed sending more flights over the waters of the bay instead of over land. The FAA is studying that proposal. And a trial program to quiet the early-morning skies over Woodside and Atherton has been successful, Ellis said. A handful of the earliest flights are now approaching the airport at an altitude of 7,000 feet instead of 6,000.

France opts to expand existing Paris airport Reuter, 9/24/97 French Prime Minister Prime Minister Lionel Jospin decided to double the number of runways from two to four at Paris' Charles De Gaulle international airport instead of building a third Paris airport. Angry residents of the neighboring Roissy area renewed protests against the new runways, which they say will bring greater pollution, especially noise. Environment 93, headed by Andre Ridon, is the leading group opposing airport expansion.

Legislators want USGS to stay. 10 House members send letter to interior secretary San Jose Mercury News, 9/6/97 Ten Bay Area members of Congress told Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt on Friday that they are deeply alarmed by plans to move the U.S. Geological Survey out of Menlo Park. If a move is necessary, they added, the Interior Department should consider relocating the USGS to another federal facility in the Bay Area -- possibly a closed military base, such as Moffett Federal Airfield.

Airport noise blasted. Peninsula levels said to be rising San Jose Mercury News, 8/15/97 Residents of southern Peninsula cities told a special hearing of the state Senate Transportation Committee on Thursday that noise from San Francisco International Airport has become more disruptive in the past two years, although officials insist airplanes are quieter and flight patterns have not changed. Sen. Quentin Kopp, I-South San Francisco, who called the hearing, said he plans to introduce legislation next year that would give the state broader oversight of airport noise policy and increase the amount San Francisco International spends to insulate homes against the racket.

Kopp lambastes airport for slow action on noise Alameda Newspapers, August 15, 1997 The roar of airplanes buzzing over San Mateo County -- and the complaints of homeowners about the noise -- have reached the ears of state Sen. Quentin Kopp, who may introduce legislation to help dampen the racket. Kopp, I-San Mateo/San Francisco, held a meeting of the state Senate Transportation Committee in San Mateo Thursday, during which he criticized the airport and the airport community roundtable for not responding to citizens' complaints. "The airport points to this measure or that measure they've taken (to reduce noise)," he said. "But the essence of the problem remains. It's a subject I intend to address with appropriate legislation." Airplane noise problems have plagued the Peninsula almost as long as the airport has existed. But many residents are complaining that the volume has increased dramatically over the past two years, especially during the late night and early morning hours.

Kopp Wants to Strengthen Statute on Airport Noise San Francisco Chronicle, 8/15/97 ``It appears that the (noise) standards in effect are obsolete,'' said Kopp (independent-San Francisco). State law requires SFO and other airports to keep noise in surrounding communities to 65 decibels averaged over 24 hours, with heavier weight given to noise in the evening and late at night. Sixty-five decibels is about the noise level of a face-to-face conversation. However, several airports including SFO have been exempted from some rules because of safety considerations. The exemption has displeased many residents.

Real Estate Notebook. How To Get Rid Of A Nuisance San Jose Mercury News, 7/22/97 A house of prostitution. A neighbor's barking dog. A noisy airport. A smelly factory. A rowdy tavern. A stinking city sewer plant. A trash-filled vacant lot. An apartment building where drug dealers congregate. A noisy, late-night dance hall. What do these offensive activities have in common? If you answered they are all public or private nuisances that were abated, reduced in intensity or caused neighbors to be paid damages, you get an A and go to the head of the class.

NASA Pulls Fleet From Moffett Field. Research aircraft will go to another center San Francisco Chronicle, 5/30/97 Six research aircraft will be moved to Dryden Flight Research Center near the Mojave Desert. The transfer, which is scheduled to begin in mid-June and be completed by January, will mean the loss of 80 civil service jobs and 125 contractor jobs, said Bill Berry, deputy director at NASA Ames. The total budget for the aircraft program is $20 million a year. NASA Ames total budget is $600 million. Berry insisted that the transfer does not mean NASA Ames' role at Moffett Federal Airfield will be ending anytime soon.

In Pursuit Of Safer Skies. Group declares war on airport San Francisco Chronicle, 1/31/97 A new neighborhood group, the Green Fliers, organized to draw attention to noise and safety issues with the San Carlos Airport.

Lawsuit demands a quieter canyon San Jose Mercury News (Reuters), 1/10/97 The Sierra Club filed suit against the Interior Department saying the proposed regulations don't go far enough, and a group of air tour operators filed suit saying they go too far.

Limits on Grand Canyon overflights sought San Jose Mercury News (Reuters), 12/27/96 The Interior Department next week will announce regulations to limit commercial overflight tours of the Grand Canyon, the department said Friday. ``Peace and tranquility are essential qualities of the experience that Americans should be able to find in the natural beauty and vast landscapes of national parks like the Grand Canyon,'' Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt said in a statement.

Light-plane makers have a happy landing After disastrous decade, business rebounds San Jose Mercury News, 10/19/96 Pilots Association seeks increased general aviation

Nagoya floats idea for new airport San Jose Mercury News, 9/23/96 In land-hungry Japan, this central city's airport quandary is all too familiar. The existing airport can't be expanded; it's in the middle of crowded suburbs. A drained marsh area seems an obvious choice -- but seems obviously wrong to nearby residents who fear the noise. So the city, Japan's third-largest, has decided it wants a new airport in the middle of the sea, a project that would involve 50 million cubic meters of dirt and something like $7.5 billion.

Air Cargo "on hold" San Francisco Chronicle, 20 Aug 1996

Area Congress leaders urge Clinton to locate research site in state San Jose Mercury News, 8/9/96

El Toro Marine Air Station AP Wire Service, 8/9/96

El Toro Marine Corps Air Station AP wire service story 8/9/96

Area Congress leaders urge Clinton to locate research site in state NASA/Ames could get flying observatory San Jose Mercury News, 8/9/96

Concord Ready to Fight Navy San Francisco Chronicle, 8/8/96

Letters to the Editor San Jose Mercury News, 8/3/96 Don't believe false promises: curfews don't work. -- Tricia Schodowski, San Jose The real costs are too high for any business to support without sweetheart deals and disregard of impact to existing communities.-- John Davis, Sunnyvale Mercury News maintains that business interests must always take precedence over the needs of the residents-- Andrew Gach, Cupertino

Letter to the Editor, Jeffrey M. Weiss Sunnyvale Sun, 8/96

Ames Doesn't Need Moffett July 29th 1996 San Francisco Chronicle

Moffett Air Cargo Plan on Ballot / Mountain View voters to consider NASA airfield fate San Francisco Chronicle, 8/1/96 Voters in Mountain View will get a chance to say if they want air cargo companies like Federal Express, UPS and DHL Worldwide Express to use nearby Moffett Federal Airfield. The City Council voted 4 to 3 late Tuesday night to put the question on the November 5 nonbinding advisory ballot. But voters in Sunnyvale won't have the same opportunity, at least not on November 5. The City Council there voted 4 to 2 against putting the issue on the ballot this year. Hundreds of Mountain View and Sunnyvale residents who live near Moffett Field attended council meetings Tuesday night, where the issue was debated until close to midnight.

Moffett going to ballot in 1 city San Jose Mercury News, 8/1/96 Despite that difference, the two cities have agreed to establish a joint advisory committee of residents to evaluate options for the airfield.

Moffett debate drags on in 2 cities. Residents urge vote on air cargo plan San Jose Mercury News, 7/31/96 The continuing debate over allowing commercial cargo flights at Moffett Federal Airfield dragged on through late-night hearings Tuesday in Sunnyvale and Mountain View, with many residents of both cities urging officials to place the matter before voters in November. The residents, who are opposed to the flights because of noise, traffic and air pollution, hope a strong ``no'' vote will result. This, they say, would send a message to NASA officials, who run the airfield, that they do not want new air traffic over their cities.

Residents protest added air traffic over Skyline Ridge San Jose Mercury News, 7/31/96 For residents who live in the normally quiet enclaves along the Skyline Ridge in southern San Mateo County, an increase in flights from the Pacific Rim to airports such as San Francisco International has meant more noise. And more complaints from residents.

NASA's air cargo plan blasted. Mtn. View says impact underestimated San Jose Mercury News, 7/11/96

Voters May Get To Weigh In On Moffett Cargo Flights San Jose Mercury News, 7/18/96 After three hours of impassioned testimony from its residents, the Sunnyvale City Council Tuesday opened up the possibility of putting the issue of cargo flights at Moffett Federal Airfield on the Nov. 5 ballot. A committee will draft tentative language for consideration at the July 30 council meeting, when members will decide whether to put it to a vote.

FedEx proposal for package sorting facility unrelated to Moffett San Jose Mercury News, 7/6/96 Letter to the Editor

Alliance joins fray at Moffett Cargo planes opposed: Other alternatives sought to stem noise, pollution. San Jose Mercury News, 7/5/96 [The Alliance for a New Moffett Field] has organized to oppose the use of cargo planes at Moffett Federal Airfield, saying the choice isn't as clear-cut as National Aeronautics and Space Administration officials make out and that there are other alternatives that government officials haven't considered.

Proposed SFO flight path impacts Pacifica Letter to the editor, San Francisco Chronicle, 1/4/96