Lowell Sun
June 26, 2003

Opponents hit Hanscom expansion
Bedford protest comes as report claims no harm to communities

By Chas Sisk, Sun Correspondent

BEDFORD -- Opponents of expansion plans at Hanscom Field held a protest in downtown Bedford yesterday, as government officials released a report that found increased air traffic will have little impact on the area.

Representatives for the Massachusetts Port Authority and the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Agency appeared at Bedford High School last night to present their final environmental assessment report for Hanscom Field. The report, which Massport prepared and MEPA must approve, determined that increased commercial traffic will not hurt local communities.

But opponents said Massport officials have ignored evidence showing the flights will increase noise, air and water pollution in the nearby towns of Bedford, Lincoln, Concord and Lexington. They boycotted the hearing to show their displeasure with the review process.

"This is corporate America stomping into the ground the wishes of average citizens, and we know from a couple hundred years ago what can happen when you do that," state Sen. Susan Fargo, D-Lincoln, told the crowd of approximately 80 people, referring to the area's role in the American Revolution.

The hearing and rally come as Memphis, Tenn.-based FedEx Corp. is seeking approval to fly one round-trip flight daily out of Hanscom, during regular airport hours.

The flight, which would come between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., still needs approval from Massport. But, Hanscom Director Barbara Patzner said yesterday, it will most likely be granted.

"If it fits within the parameters of what we do here, it will (be approved)," she said. "We're an airport."

Two groups, Save Our Heritage and Safeguarding the Historic Hanscom Area's Irreplaceable Resources, have long objected to the airport's use by corporate jets. Last month, the National Trust for Historic Preservation declared Minute Man National Historical Park to be one of the nation's 11 Most Endangered Historic Areas because of heavy traffic, noise and visual intrusions from the airport.

These opponents are even more incensed that Massport is now considering adding cargo service. They said the operations would worsen noise and pollution at Hanscom while increasing traffic along The Battle Road (Route 2A), which connects Hanscom with Route 128.

Richard Walsh, a Massport spokesman, defended the FedEx proposal, noting that the one cargo flight will require only 14 extra truck trips to the airport per day.

Sun staff reporter Frank Tutalo contributed to this report.

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