In speaking with many in regards to a SeaTac-sized airport built on the Enumclaw Plateau, the reaction is disbelief. After attending public and online meetings, reading documents, and listening to experts, I assure you, this proposal is real and possible.
The area proposed is northwest of town near the amphitheater, a six-mile diameter circle encompassing homes, churches, schools, and farmlands. The Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission (CACC) has placed it on a short list of 10 possible locations in Western Washington, labeling this site King County Southeast. The list will be pared to two recommendations and presented to the State Legislature on Oct. 15. Final decision on the site is due June, 2023.
CACC has stated that they want public feedback and will listen to public voice. Please give them yours! But you must do so quickly! Express your opinion by logging onto the WSDOT online open House/survey now thru Sept. 9. Complete the survey and leave comments:
• https://engage.wsdot.wa.gov/
Information on CACC and the Virtual Public Meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 31, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. can be found at:
• wsdot.wa.gov/travel/aviation/
Here are some points you might make when you voice your thoughts. It is best to choose a concern that is important to you and be specific in your comments.
Although the legislation that tasked CACC with finding an airport site to fulfill future customer demand stated specifically the site cannot be in a county with a population of 2 million or more (King County) CACC still accepted the King County Southeast site and placed it on the list of sites for consideration.
In addition to this contradiction, there are many other points to ponder.
King County taxpayers spent millions of dollars to preserve thousands of acres of agricultural lands through the Farmland Preservation Program. More than half of this acreage exists on the Enumclaw Plateau. Agricultural lands must be protected for future generations. In addition, nine of the twenty productive dairy farms in Washington State are here on the Enumclaw Plateau.
Many have put countless hours and their own dollars into preserving wildlife and improving habitats on the Plateau. Our own Enumclaw Plateau Community Association has improved salmon habitat along Newaukum and Boise Creeks which feed into our larger rivers. Think of how rich our area is in wildlife and the effect of an airport on habitats. The Green River Gorge contains some of the most unique wildlife habitat in the United States and this has only occurred because of the work of many to protect it.
The loss of a historic, thriving rural community with a unique downtown business corridor is another effect of a major airport on the Enumclaw Plateau.
I urge you to make your comments heard by Sept. 9. The time to make your voice heard is now. Spread the word.
Jeri Freeburg
Enumclaw
