Show your support for the Pittsfield Municipal Airport.
The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce invites the community to join in a letter writing campaign in support of a wetland variance for the Pittsfield Municipal Airport. Letters must be received by January 9, 2009.
A wetland variance is currently pending approval from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for the expansion of and improvements to the Pittsfield Municipal Airport.
Following are some points from the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce for you to consider in your letter. Letters should specifically ask the DEP to grant the Wetlands Variance for the project as proposed.
How the airport effects the Berkshire Economy:Provide economic impacts to your company and the region.
- The project will create vital near-term construction jobs and new business opportunities for regional vendors, suppliers and contractors.
- To attract new business ventures to the Berkshires, the airport represents the opportunity to efficiently conduct business in a region of the country not directly served by commercial carriers. In the past, businesses have made the decision not to relocate to the Berkshires due to the inadequacies of the airport.
- The attraction of new businesses means an investment in the region and its people. For every business that we can attract and retain, we have the ability to create and retain jobs in the Berkshires and can point to the airport as a significant part of that effort.
- As you drive through our magnificent region, it is clear that Berkshire County is undergoing major revitalizations. As witnessed in every corner of our community, improvements and enhancements are seen in construction sites and buildings, recreational and educational facilities, and in our downtown communities. The airport is an essential component in the continued renaissance of our region.
- With ever-improving technologies, businesses throughout the Country and the World are moving faster then ever. To retain the businesses that call the Berkshires their home, the airport will provide a faster, more accessible mode of transportation. Berkshire County cannot afford to fall behind.
Safety Issues to consider for your Letter of Support:Provide detail on how these safety improvements to the airport benefit your company/business.
- When wet, icy or snowy, the existing 5000’ runway is inadequate for safe operation of the airport’s designed aircraft; therefore a 790’ extended runway will increase safety.
- There are virtually no existing runway safety-areas currently in place; therefore the 790’ runway and 1,000’ safety-area extensions must be built to improve safety.
- Pilot, passenger, and the neighboring community’s safety should not be influenced by wetland impacts.
- Implementing the project will create a safer airport facility and increase the safety of people and property in and around the airport.
- Existing jet operations have exceeded the forecast; therefore implementation of runway and safety-area extensions must occur sooner rather than later
- Approximately 4,000 jet operations currently exist. By granting the variance to create the runway and safety-area extensions, the proposed project will be safer for the public’s welfare
- Flights continue to be diverted from Pittsfield due to the unsafe length of a 5000’ runway during wet conditions. An extended runway will provide a safer runway environment for corporate flight departments and will help ensure consistency in using the Pittsfield airport facility in all weather conditions.
- Many corporate flight departments operate under safety policies established by insurance underwriters which prohibit flight operations at airports with a 5000’ runway during wet, ice, snow and otherwise contaminated runway conditions.
- If the state allows a 550 acre airport to exist, it should allow this airport to exist safely by issuing the variance for the project proposed
Draft letters to the following addresses:
Massachusetts State House
Office of the Governor
Room 360
Boston, MA 02133
Michael Stroman
Program Chief
MassDEP Wetlands Program
One Winter Street – 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Lisa Rhodes
Environmental Analyst
MassDEP Wetlands Program
One Winter Street – 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Secretary Ian A. Bowles
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900
Boston, MA 02114
Send copies of all four letters to the Berkshire Chamber:
Berkshire Chamber of Commerce
75 North Street
Suite 360
Pittsfield, MA 01201
For additional airport information, contact Mark Germanowski at (413) 448-9790 or mgermanowski@pittsfieldch.com.
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