Lincoln Journal
Wednesday, July 9, 2003

Hanscom Field study is given poor grades

By Barbara Forster / Correspondent

While the Massachusetts Environmental Agency held a hearing inside Bedford High, area residents gathered outside. The topic at both locations was the same - an environmental study by Massport for Hanscom Field.

At the outdoor rally on June 25, coordinated by Safeguarding the Historic Hanscom Area's Irreplaceable Resources and Save Our Heritage, a crowd of about 100 gathered to hear the state environmental review process condemned.

"The (MEPA) process is a fraud," said Marty Pepper-Aisenberg, projects director of Save Our Heritage. "It does not protect us; it will never protect us. Never again will we involve ourselves in a process that turns out to be a fraud."

"There are no teeth in the certification process," added Lincoln Selectman Sara Mattes. "It's like a Seinfeld moment: a lot of words but nothing is said."

The argument is that MEPA ignored public comments on the draft version of the study.

"More than 800 people appeared before MEPA (a previous public hearing was held Nov. 19, 2002) and townspeople spent hundreds of hours refuting Massport analyses," said John Petty of Lincoln. "MEPA ignored all of this."

Signs outside defined ESPR as "Environmental Scam Rape & Pillage."

The Environmental Status and Planning Report, formerly called the Generic Environmental Impact Review, is designed to present an overview of current environmental conditions at the field and use the information to determine future policies and programs.

The crowd also heard Margaret Coppe, president of ShhAir, call for a boycott of Federal Express.

"Don't use FedEx," she said.

In addition, Coppe urged residents to contact political representatives, both stated and federal.

"It's more of an impact call than to e-mail," she said. "It's painless, simple, but effective."

"John Kerry does care what people think," added Pepper-Aisenberg. "And FedEx has an image to maintain. It doesn't want to be seen as unpatriotic."

Anna Winter, executive director of Save Our Heritage, believes that local groups are well positioned for successful protest since the park and its environs were recently designated one of "America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

"The ability to spread our protests and boycott nationwide is firmly within our grasp," she said in a later interview. "With the American public on our side, we are going to win."

Earlier this month, FedEx presented a verbal proposal to Massport to that included one flight per day before 11 p.m.; approximately 14 truckloads - loading and unloading - would also be part of the deal. Nothing as yet has been finalized.

Although fewer people were inside at the hearing - less than three dozen took advantage of the air-conditioned auditorium - they heard an additional
message: the MEPA process didn't work in this situation.

Mattes asked MEPA officials not to review the environmental study because the study and the process was flawed.

"We ask that you only certify that the documents have been filed," she said, adding that to do was a waste of taxpayer money.

Mattes described the study as a "public relations campaign for the expansion of Hanscom" and that without a disclaimer, "MEPA is part" of that effort.

Mattes said that she was speaking as a private citizen because town boards had not yet met to approve such recommendations.

Brenda Kelly, chairwoman of the Bedford Conservation Commission, added that the agency initially agreed with many of her group's recommendations, and "we [as an all-volunteer commission] participated in good faith."

But, she continued, Massport "disregarded" the state agency's instructions by not providing sufficient notice to the communities.

"We've had only two weeks to review the [final] document," she said. "The process is not working as the secretary intended it to work and low attendance is the proof."

Kelly also stated that the document was incomplete.

"Specific required elements (in the document) were not addressed," she said. "They were mentioned, but not addressed."

Although MEPA Director James Hunt wasn't surprised at the size of the turnout -- MEPA had received earlier notice that crowd control would not be a problem -- he was dismayed.

"It was disappointing," he said. "The MEPA process is heavily reliant on public comment. It was a bigger turnout than normal but this isn't a normal MEPA process," he added.

"People are voting with their feet," said Mattes.

Hunt also noted that, as far as he knows, the agency has never been asked to not certify an environmental study.

Massport representative Richard Walsh defended the document and the process.

"This is a technical review of what's happening at the airport and we met, line by line, the draft scope," said Walsh. "The activists don't like what it said, so they are staging media events."

Among the handful of indoor speakers, two supported the document: John Williams of the Massachusetts Business Association and life-long Concord resident Francis Magurn.

Magurn praised the document as a "comprehensive" report.

"You have my full support in the transformation of what was once piggeries," her said.

Williams agreed.

"The ESPR shows a plan without significant adverse impacts on the environment," he said. "It would be unwise to shrink from the challenge of moving General Aviation forward."

The outdoor rally had two purposes. First, to more or less encourage a boycott for the MEPA hearing and then to protest FedEx interest in being at Hanscom.

Sen. Susan Fargo, D-Lincoln, the only politician at the rally, described Massport as a "rogue authority" which disregards the communities it affects and called FedEx "the worst kind of corporate America" that stomps in against the wishes of average citizens. The senator also raised the issue of additional fuel storage needs and other infrastructure requirements for cargo planes.

"We don't have hangars for cargo Goliaths that will fly over us at night," she said.

Other politicos stand behind that position. Congressional representative Mike Capuano, who stated that he supports his constituents, said, "Massport has said we will do what we want but this (addition of one more flight) is not a very thoughtful approach; there is still no regional transportation plan. I've never been able to engage anyone in that discussion."

But not everyone opposes a FedEx operation near Route 128. The Massachusetts High Technology Council supports the proposal.

"Having FedEx return to Hanscom Field will mean better service to the region's customers, many of which are high tech employers looking to grow their businesses on a global scale," said Christopher R. Anderson, president in a prepared statement. "This is great news for FedEx and its New England commercial and residential customers, but also a good sign for the rebounding Massachusetts technology economy."

George Judge, president of the North Suburban Chamber of Commerce in Woburn, sees the possible move as a boon to area businesses.

"Right now FedEx generates about 400 trips back and forth to Logan," he said. "Such a move would make it more efficient for businesses in and around these towns."

Nevertheless, Judge admits making decisions to grow businesses and improve livelihoods while trying to remain sensitive to environmental needs is difficult.

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