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Include Branford

In reading the Tweed Airport’s Environmental Assessment of its proposed massive expansion on a wetlands site that was released to the public on March 2, I’m surprised that Branford does not seem to be included.

I am a Branford resident and homeowner living three miles east of Tweed. Just like my neighbors, I hear planes flying overhead day and night, engines roaring.

I am not against airports or flying—I soloed in a Piper Cub airplane when I was 15 and proudly served in the Civil Air Patrol during World War II. In my long professional career as an architect and land use planner, my firm developed some of the first environmental impact reports for complicated sites in many states. So, I fully understand the complexities involved. And I also know that an owner-executed Environmental Assessment paid for by the owner, in this case, Tweed, could be prejudiced.

My fear is that this airport expansion can have severe negative impacts on many thousands of surrounding families, affecting our livability and our property values.

A federal ruling requiring an Environmental Impact Statement is necessary to adequately and without bias study the cumulative and regional impacts in the many ways the surrounding communities will likely be affected. This includes Branford. We deserve objective facts.

Join me in advocating for an Environmental Impact Statement study and report. So that the public and governing agencies can have a complete and accurate understanding of all the impacts and so that we all can make wise decisions.

Beverly Willis

Branford