Congresswoman Waters Opposes Decision to Move LAX North Runway
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) expressed her strong opposition to the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners' decision to move LAX's north runway.
The board voted yesterday to approve the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the LAX Specific Plan Amendment Study (SPAS), including the staff-recommended Alternatives 1 and 9. Alternative 1 involves moving LAX's northernmost runway 260 feet farther north towards the neighboring communities. Alternative 9 involves ground transportation improvements, including the construction of a consolidated rental car facility, an intermodal transportation facility, and an automated people mover. Leading individuals and organizations in the communities surrounding LAX reject Alternative 1 and support Alternative 2, which would leave the runways where they are, along with Alternative 9.
"I strongly oppose the board's decision to move the north runway closer to the homes and businesses north of LAX. Moving this runway is completely unnecessary and will exacerbate the airport-related noise, pollution, and traffic congestion in the communities surrounding the airport," said Congresswoman Waters."I join with other individuals and organizations in our community to urge the city of Los Angeles to reject the board's decision and approve Alternatives 2 and 9."
Congresswoman Waters has repeatedly expressed her opposition to proposals to move LAX's north runway. In 2007, she introduced the LAX Community Safety Act (H.R. 2872), which would have prevented LAWA from moving the north runway farther to the north. After LAWA released its draft EIR last year, she reiterated her opposition to runway relocation, and she expressed her support for alternatives 2 and 9 and her opposition to any other alternatives.
"My first priority is ensuring an excellent quality of life for my constituents. The families and businesses of Westchester, Playa del Rey, Inglewood, El Segundo, Lennox, Hawthorne and South Los Angeles have to live every day with the noise, air pollution, and traffic congestion caused by LAX operations. I cannot support allowing the airport to intrude any further into these communities," said Congresswoman Waters.
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