Ms. Ellen Roy Herzfelder, Secretary

Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs

251 Causeway Street, Suite 900

Boston, MA 02114

Re:   Final 2000 L.G. Hanscom Field

        Environmental Status and Planning Report

        Bedford, MA

        EOEA Number: 5484/8696
 

Dear Secretary Herzfelder:

        Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the above referenced project.  As a supporter of Hanscom field, I believe I have unique perspective on the Hanscom debate.

        Our nation’s airports serve the needs of all Americans.  Hanscom works just like an on-ramp to the Interstate Highway System – it lets you access our nationwide system of air transportation.  GA passengers have access to over 5,400 public use community airports located all over America.  Having access to that many airports makes it very easy for you to leave from a point relatively close to your home or office, and lets you arrive much closer to your true destination. 

        Hanscom Field is New England’s premier full-service general aviation airport and serves as a general aviation reliever to Logan.  As such, its primary role is to accommodate small private aircraft needs.  The airport is a key component of a larger regional system and is dependent on the success of its host communities to attract and sustain a healthy business environment to utilize airport services.  Hanscom’s success as a full service airport is linked to the critical mass of office and research/development space in the Routes 128/495/3 technology corridors.  In Bedford and Lexington there is approximately 11 million square feet of commercial and/or industrial development.

        As a strong supporter of general aviation and Hanscom Field, I would request that while you review the Hanscom ESPR, you consider the obvious benefits of GA on our region from the perspective of smart growth, the environment and congestion at Logan Airport.  I hope that the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs determines that the report adequately addresses the requirements of the project scope and that you issue a favorable Certificate for the final ESPR.  As the Commonwealth’s environmental chief you should be a strong proponent of a growing GA airport system, if for no other reason than it acts as a relief valve to our congested commercial airport system.

                                                        Sincerely,