The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released the document regarding Tweed New Haven Airport expansion three days before Christmas, with over 8,000 printed pages only available to be read under video and audio surveillance at the airport. There are zero printed copies in East Haven.

The document fails to address the nearly 1,000 letters from residents, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and government officials comments. The details include using Thompson Avenue as default to the flooding on Hemingway Avenue and Coe Avenue. Air pollution is increasing now, and wetlands disturbance in a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) zone exposes residential areas to more flooding. The maps show areas of future eminent domain at the south and north sections of the runway.

East Haven town officials have never hosted a public forum to discuss environmental impacts in an environmental justice town with high asthma rates and cardiac and chronic diseases. Mayor Joseph Carfora should appeal the FAA document via court application in February 2024. I have high expectations of the state representatives, state senators, and U.S. Congressional representatives.

There is plenty of air pollution, traffic, endangered species, and noise evidence to refute the decision that forever changes my childhood town to be a construction zone for investors that live far away. The most transformative issue in town deserves the most attention and open discussion in all public meetings.

Thank you very much to local residents who have shown town pride and continue to be proactive.

Lorena Venegas

East Haven