Letter: Larger jets not planned at Hanscom
MetroWest Daily News
Tuesday, July 16, 2002

In the June 29, 2002 article "Massport Caught in Tree Cutting Controversy"; statements made by Save Our Heritage spokesman Marty Pepper Aisenberg are inaccurate. He claims that Massport is planning to cut trees "far below" FAA required levels to accommodate larger jets.

This is simply not true. In fact, the plan before the public explicitly states that the airport vegetation removal project "shall not include the construction of new airport facilities or the expansion or relocation of existing airport uses." In addition, as Mr. Aisenberg surely knows, regulations prohibit this process from expanding use of the airport.

The goal of the Hanscom Field vegetation management program is to maintain airport safety through the removal of vegetation that currently penetrates or is expected to penetrate protected airspace in and around the airport.

As we move forward, in conjunction with the communities and their conservation commissions, let us not inject inaccurate and inflammatory rhetoric into what is a safety issue for pilots and the airport. Nothing in the FAA's safety requirements allows for more planes or larger jets to use Hanscom Field. A balanced and accurate dialogue is the best path towards understanding and cooperation.

JOSE M. JUVES, Director of Media Relations Massport, Boston

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