Concord Journal
Thursday, July 19, 2001

Board debates vegetation removal plan for runway
By Barbara Forster, Correspondent

The question of whether Massport is following its own rules was center stage
on Tuesday, July 17, during a meeting of the Hanscom Field Advisory
Commission.

The procedural issues are focused on Massport's plans to submit "Notices of
Intent" to the four Hanscom towns' conservation commissions for new
vegetation removal projects at Hanscom. Massport wants to remove vegetation
that has grown up in the safety areas at the ends of the runways.

Massport plans to deliver the notices and a vegetation management plan,
which addresses only the runway safety areas, to the four communities,
starting Aug. 1 with Bedford. Lexington is next in line on Aug.8, then
Concord on Aug. 22 and Lincoln on Aug. 30.

However, Bedford's Conservation Administrator Elizabeth Bagdonan argued that
the move is premature because required preliminary steps have not been
taken. Bagdonan cited a 1999 GEIR (Generic Environmental Impact Review)
Update which calls for " extensive opportunity for public comment " in cases
of the Limited Project provision of the wetlands regulations. The runway
safety areas are in wetlands.

After noting that no public participation has occurred either informally or
formally - the GEIR calls for both steps - Bagdonan added that a Guidance
Document proposed by Massport, the Department of Environmental Protection
and Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission and approved by MEPA (Massachusetts
Environmental Policy Act Office) in 1993 doesn't exist either. This document
is a trail for conservation commissions to follow when reviewing these types
of issues.

Furthermore, a statewide airport vegetation management program developed
about five years ago does not include Hanscom.

Bagdonan continued that objectives in the State of Hanscom 2001 have not
been met either. Citing a letter dated Feb. 28, 2000 to Hanscom Airport
Director Barbara Patzner in which Massport agreed to meet with conservation
commissions to discuss the vegetation plan prior to filing notices of
intent, she stated that coordination with environmental agencies and
communities to clear away the runway obstructions had not begun.

"It's better to have a public forum in September and follow that up with the
filing of the (notices of intent)," added Bagdonan. Massport's time schedule
for the project is to begin work in the winter when the ground is frozen.

According to Massport's Richard Walsh, the 1993 GEIR and the 1999 Update
refer to statewide projects at airports, not actions at Hanscom, and that
proper procedures including public hearings, were followed. Walsh also
discounted the Aeronautics Commission's alleged statement in the 1999 GEIR
Update that a Guidance Document would be submitted in summer/fall 2001,
arguing that procedures exist for conservation commissions to follow, even
if the guide doesn't.

" If DEP hasn't issued the document, the ConComs have to fall back on what
is available, the GEIR, " he said. However, whether the upcoming vegetation
management plan, which is site and project specific, must follow the same
procedures as the statewide plan is undetermined.

Other News

Massport is again postponing plans to ask the Massachusetts Aeronautics
Commission to authorize Massport to address the issue of vegetation
penetrations in the approach zone that goes over the Bedford Town Forest.
Massport originally planned to go to the commission in late July, but held
off due to a request by the Bedford town manager.

Renovations at the Hanscom Civil Air Terminal are also on hold until later
in the year.  According to Sarah Arnold of Massport, bids came in too high.
The work involved making an existing bathroom more accessible, air
conditioning work, and enlarging the seating area.

"The decision was that it would be better to go out (for bids) at the
beginning of the construction season," she said.  In the meantime, Masport's
own staff will do some cosmetic work, such as painting and installing a rug.


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