10,000 Hawks

In February 2019, the USC Environmental Health Center reported on a study by Dr. Rima Habre about short-term health impacts caused by breathing in ultrafine particulate (UFP) matter that is emitted from aircraft activity at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). “The results showed levels of the dangerous UFPs were found to be 4 to 5 times greater than background levels in downwind communities.” Why does this matter? “Ultrafine particulate matter is known to contribute to reduced lung function, and airway inflammation in individuals with asthma.”

So it was with a great deal of dismay that the residents of East Haven, Fair Haven and New Haven, Connecticut learned on May 6, 2021 that Tweed New Haven was embarking on a $70 million privately funded expansion, with a new four-gate 74,000 square-foot terminal and daily service from a new airline. Already familiar with the noise, traffic, flooding and pollution impacting their health that comes with the current airport, the planned expansion spurred the community into action.

By May 31, 2021, residents had renamed their group “10,000 Hawks,” in honor of the raptors in the annual hawk migration that takes place over Tweed airspace and their neighborhoods. Led by Rachel Heerema and Lorena Venegas, this all-volunteer neighborhood organization began pulling together community information meetings and calling for a public hearing on the proposed expansion. On August 4th they rolled out a petition making clear what they seek to protect:

“We need to stop the FLOODING of our homes and streets. We need to reduce, and not trigger ASTHMA with our children. We need to stop WETLANDS DESTRUCTION. We need to stop EMINENT DOMAIN activities, not make them easier. We need to keep economic development profits LOCAL.”

10,000 Hawks wants the New Haven Board of Alders to PAUSE the vote on the 43-year lease agreement with AvPORTS (a Goldman Sachs subsidiary), because there has been no due diligence on what impacts this airport expansion will have on the community. There needs to be an Environmental Impact Statement, along with traffic plans, noise studies and remediation, a coastal resilience plan, a public health plan for increased rates of asthma and cardiovascular issues, etc. 

In late August, the City Plan Commission unanimously approved the airport’s site plan and coastal site plan, as well as a floodplain permit and special permit for the additional parking; this despite the overwhelming community opposition with 12 letters in favor of the application and 21 in opposition, as well as a dozen residents who spoke in opposition at the meeting, with only one speaker in favor. These statements of opposition are a testament to the work of the 10,000 Hawks organization. After the vote, Rachel Hareema told members, “My big question for the commission is, ‘What about our health?’”

The work continues. An environmental assessment begins next month, and the team at 10,000 Hawks continues pushing to delay the 43-year lease agreement until there is an EPA review. If you can help or want to get involved, contact 10000hawks@gmail.com for more details.

Written by Michele Gielis