Westchester County Airport
The County airport was built before airport pollution was considered toxic. An environmental conference in Copenhagen (of 159 countries) declared the aviation industry as the most polluting industry in the world.
Recently, Westchester County planned to build a new de-icing facility for safety. We all want safety, but our Sierra Club discovered that the planned de-icing facility was too big and expanded the footprint and capacity of this airport. We protested this expansion. In response, the County withdrew its plans.
WCA relies on FAA funding. This is 90% of the cost of all building at the airport. Westchester County owns this airport. Resolutions, limiting any expansion of WCA, were passed by Westchester County, and subsequently by both NY State Assembly and Senate.
Despite the temptation of FAA funding, Westchester County legislators need to remain resolute about not expanding this airport. Additional flights will increase the possibility and likelihood of accidents and spills. Human error and equipment failure are not preventable, and thus expansion will increase the threat to our water supply. Unique rules are needed for this airport.
Is the constant stream of FAA funding going to allow a legislative compromise affect the safe drinking water of nine million people? So it seems to us at Sierra Club. This airport lies less than 250 yards from the edge of the Kensico. This is an airport that never should have been built; and one that was termed by Robert Kennedy a “historical environmental disaster”. Any expansion would jeopardize the water supply of nine million people. Nine Million People of Westchester and New York City who rely on the Kensico to provide safe, affordable drinking water for themselves and future generations.
Remember that the former Commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Christopher Ward, had even requested that this airport be fully taken out of the loop of expanding airports because of its unique location next to the drinking water supply of 85% of Westchester’s population and 90% of New York City’s. (The DEP is responsible for the reservoirs, including the Kensico) The Federal EPA also gave us a support letter fully agreeing with Christopher Ward.
Our mission is to protect the Kensico Reservoir from the unnecessary risks posed by Westchester County’s present building plans for this Airport.
Please help us convince our County Legislators that we need an FAA exemption from any expansion of the Westchester County Airport. This is a county-owned airport, which is very unusual. In fact, our county government has the power to stop expansion. What they need is the political will to do so. Please call the County Board of Legislators at 995-2800 and tell them you want them to uphold the resolutions of non-expansion which means no expansion of footprint and capacity of this airport including no additional parking, hangers, gates heavier planes, or additional flights.
Sierra Club needs to gather thousands of letters to save our irreplaceable Kensico Reservoir from further endangerment.
Please Sign our online petition and encourage your friends and family to also go online and Sign Our Petition. We need thousands to win this battle!