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LEE PERLMAN
MID-COUNTY MEMO
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| Airport Futures Public Advisory Group members credit fellow PAG member Bob Sallinger, Conservation Director for the Audubon Society of Portland for pushing them to a higher level. COURTESY PORT OF PORTLAND |
The document - developed by Port and Bureau of Planning staff and the 30-member public advisory group, known as the Airport Futures group - sets out long-term development goals for the airport.
Among other things, the document specifies traffic improvements on airport approach roads when activity reaches certain levels. It also calls for environmental restoration measures, mainly on Government Island and near the Columbia Slough, performed in concert with new development on airport property. Finally, it establishes a Citizen Advisory Committee to provide ongoing oversight for airport operations and a forum for public issues.
A final obstacle to approval was the Federal Aviation Administration's initial refusal to allow funds generated at the airport to be spent on things not directly related to airport operations - on mitigation measures in other words. Negotiations related to this issue delayed the plan's adoption by three months. According to Chris Corich, the Port of Portland's Airport Futures project manager, the final resolution of the problem was to have the measures paid for with “a mixture” of funds, with the FAA agreeing to the use of some airport funds for this purpose and the Port supplying the rest from non-airport sources.
Futures member Bob Sallinger, representing the Portland Audubon Society, said at the public hearing, “I'm still disappointed they (the FAA) don't recognize improving the neighborhoods is a legitimate use of funds.” He noted the final plan has the Port “not only committed to mitigation, but to restoration, leaving the land better than we found it.”
Citizen activist Joe Smith likewise condemned the “myopia” of the FAA. Otherwise, he called the process “a remarkable exercise in the best of democracy, what government can be.”
Many were amazed that the large and diverse group gave a unanimous vote of approval to the plan. It took adroit maneuvering by facilitator Sam Imperati and some concessions, including a promise to Futures members such as Cully neighborhood activist Erwin Bergman that they could write dissenting opinions in the document's appendices. Bergman, like many others, gave credit to Imperati for his “amazing skills of herding.” He added, however, “This doesn't mean all the issues are resolved. Noise remains an issue, more to some than others.” After suggesting that the Port contribute another $30,000 he said, “Thanks for being a real neighbor.”
Among the unresolved issues were the complaints of some property owners in the east Columbia neighborhood just outside the airport. As part of the process, the plan imposes new environmental restrictions on the uses of their property, and several complained that the impact would be excessive and unfair. In response to this, the council agreed to leave the written record open for another week. “There should always be an opportunity for citizens to come in with issues on the last day,” Commissioner Amanda Fritz said.
As her testimony, Futures member Alesia Reese, a postal worker representing the neighborhoods under the auspices of the city's East Portland Neighborhood Office, gave a long song of praise and joy to “east Portland”. Another member, Maryhelen Kincaid, said Reese had brought “unique views.” Mentioning Sallinger he said, “If Bob hadn't pushed us to such a high level, we wouldn't be where we are today.”
Mid-county activist Linda Robinson said that even though she did not serve on the advisory group she felt “pride of ownership” in the result. She said she was “really pleased” that the plan emphasizes use of “the existing footprint,” and for the airport to expand physically “as little as possible. I'm really pleased to see the natural resources plan come together despite the reluctance of the FAA.”
Commissioner Dan Saltzman said his reaction was “A big wow! I would never have guessed this issue could achieve near harmony. I'm looking forward to voting for it.”
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