see below article
lawsuit challenges new PCB airport
------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Valerie Lovett Florida Freedom News
see entire article at sowal Environmental issue forum..
lawsuit challenges new PCB airport - SoWal Beaches Forum
PANAMA CITY ? A pair of Washington, D.C.-based environmental groups and a local pilots? organization filed a lawsuit in New York on Tuesday aiming to stop the planned relocation of the Panama City-Bay County International Airport to a 4,000-acre site at West Bay.
The suit challenges the Federal Aviation Administration?s record of decision, or ROD, released in September that determined the West Bay location is the best alternative to meet the airport?s operational needs.
...
?The FAA?s decision to build this ?airport to nowhere? is illegal,? said Melanie Shepherdson, an attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council. ?The law is clear: The agency has to pick the alternative that is least damaging to the environment.?
......
Shepherdson said the groups want the court to throw out the FAA?s decision, effectively stopping the project that is set to begin construction early next year. She said the FAA also violated federal law when it failed to consider the cumulative environmental effects of the airport, including ancillary development spurred by the new airport.
And the FAA could be in violation of the federal Endangered Species Act thanks to recent spottings of a rare woodpecker along a nearby river, Shepherdson said.
...
Fred Werner, who heads up the Friends of PFN, said that falling traffic at the airport highlights the lack of need for a new one.
?Any reasonable growth in demand could be met by expanding the current airport,? Werner said.
....
The challenge, said Airport Authority executive board Chairman Joe Tannehill said, is not a surprise.
....
Tannehill said he does not believe the legal action will be of any consequence to the relocation effort. ?They?re hoping this will be tied up in court for years,? he said, ?but we?re going to move forward; we have no choice. To play their game is going to end up in disaster for this community.?
...
SoWalSally
View Public Profile
Send a private message to SoWalSally
Send email to SoWalSally
Find More Posts by SoWalSally
Add SoWalSally to Your Buddy List
Today, 11:23 AM * #2
.
.
hi n dryhi n dryBeach Lover205 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
hi n dryBeach Lover205 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover5,202 views
Replies
23
pmd8pmd8Beach Lover142 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
pmd8Beach Lover142 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach LoverAs I've stated previously on this forum, Bay Countians voted against the new airport in a non-binding referendum. Those who favor the airport primarily use the argument that it will help foster growth in the area. I'm from Bay County and split my time between here and Miami.
How would it affect real estate? The price would probably go up. In Miami the median home price is about $355,000. We have a hard time attracting new teachers and nurses and many of them are planning to move to places where they can afford to buy a house.
While I like Miami, who in the world would want more growth, more people, more development? (Unless you're a county or city commissioner who also happens to be a developer or real estate agent.)
As far as the touted economic benefit, it is primarily limited to the upper tier of the population. An increase in tourism does nothing for the per capita income.
Miami is one of the poorest big cities in the country and gets 7 million tourists a year compared to 2 million in Panama City.
If we took the estimated $331 million cost of the new airport and instead bought some of our beautiful coastline for a park, wouldn't that be a better investment?
How would it affect real estate? The price would probably go up. In Miami the median home price is about $355,000. We have a hard time attracting new teachers and nurses and many of them are planning to move to places where they can afford to buy a house.
While I like Miami, who in the world would want more growth, more people, more development? (Unless you're a county or city commissioner who also happens to be a developer or real estate agent.)
As far as the touted economic benefit, it is primarily limited to the upper tier of the population. An increase in tourism does nothing for the per capita income.
Miami is one of the poorest big cities in the country and gets 7 million tourists a year compared to 2 million in Panama City.
If we took the estimated $331 million cost of the new airport and instead bought some of our beautiful coastline for a park, wouldn't that be a better investment?
Edited
mfmfBanned208 postsJoined View profileMessageBanned
PMD: If we took the estimated $331 million cost of the new airport and instead bought some of our beautiful coastline for a park, wouldn't that be a better investment?
or improve roads, health care access, police or schools. heck. we don't have basic ambulance service here!
that's the kind of long term vision required to really improve home values.
i'm afraid most of the folks in charge are more about making a quick buck of the back of the community. yeah dude..that's what we really need..another shopping mall.
i thought the airport was a great idea until i lived here a while and realized that there was not any accountability on the part of local and government officials for the current residents.
they keep building house after house and we already have urban density without ANY of the benefits of an urban area. building more stuff here, doesn't make the stuff that's here already better. if i want my house to look over 8 million other houses and fight traffic. i can buy a cheaper house in LA.
Edited
If we took the estimated $331 million cost of the new airport and instead bought some of our beautiful coastline for a park, wouldn't that be a better investment?>>>
or improve roads, health care access, police or schools. heck. we don't have basic ambulance service here!
that's the kind of long term vision required to really improve home values.
i'm afraid most of the folks in charge are more about making a quick buck of the back of the community. yeah dude..that's what we really need..another shopping mall.
i thought the airport was a great idea until i lived here a while and realized that there was not any accountability on the part of local and government officials for the current residents.
they keep building house after house and we already have urban density without ANY of the benefits of an urban area. building more stuff here, doesn't make the stuff that's here already better. if i want my house to look over 8 million other houses and fight traffic. i can buy a cheaper house in LA.
you are so right!
The best County Commissioners we had , Lane Reese, Tim Pauls were driven
out by big developer money to put in the likes of Cuchens and Scott Brannon who are now in their pocket. Check out the contributions to the campaigns of those on the BCC and you will see who is owned by the developers.
Cindy Meadows is the ony one left who supports the locals and is concerned about the protection of the environment. Big money interests are already working on getting rid of her.
mfmfBanned208 postsJoined View profileMessageBanned
hey hi and dry! if we can't fight the big money people.
let me know how can we help cindy??????
let me know how can we help cindy??????
Edited
hey hi and dry! if we can't fight the big money people.
let me know how can we help cindy??????
SWCC is non political but they share our common concerns.
You will also meet people there who can tell you how to help.
They have a meeting coming up soon.
http://www.southwaltoncc.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=27588
mfmfBanned208 postsJoined View profileMessageBanned
thanks! i'll check that out!
00seer0000seer00Beach LoverPCB112 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
The Airport is the best thing to ever happen to this area, Like it or not. St Joe is giving uo so much land to pull this off, the enviromentalist should be jumping for for joy.
pmd8pmd8Beach Lover142 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
pmd8Beach Lover142 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach LoverPlease tell me how the airport is the best thing to ever happen to this area.
Cheap flights for tourists? More people? It will certainly be the best thing to happen for St. Joe.
As far as the environmental aspect, why not use the already degraded land where the current airport is located rather than destroy 4500 acres, including 1500 acres of wetlands? They also plan to block off a creek. Even though Cheney's 757 landed at the old airport, if a longer runway is needed, they could extend the old one.
Why were the residents ignored when they voted against the airport?
Cheap flights for tourists? More people? It will certainly be the best thing to happen for St. Joe.
As far as the environmental aspect, why not use the already degraded land where the current airport is located rather than destroy 4500 acres, including 1500 acres of wetlands? They also plan to block off a creek. Even though Cheney's 757 landed at the old airport, if a longer runway is needed, they could extend the old one.
Why were the residents ignored when they voted against the airport?
00seer0000seer00Beach LoverPCB112 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
Have you looked at what St Joe is giving up? 90% West Bay will never be built on. Thats 20+ miles of waterfront as well as 10s of thousands of inland acres. Yes it will bring more people and jobs to the area. Many Countys will grow from this new airport and that will be good for about 80% of the population. If you are not in the 80%, sorry.. your land will find a bottom sooner than the rest of the Country. Money might not be important to you but it is to most of us. The enviromental impact of St Joe developing West Bay is the greater risk to the enviroment. The Airport is north of hwy 388 and any streem has already been diverted to pass under the road.
flyforfunflyforfunBeach FanaticBirmingham, Al311 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
flyforfunBeach FanaticBirmingham, Al311 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticPlease tell me how the airport is the best thing to ever happen to this area.
Cheap flights for tourists? More people? It will certainly be the best thing to happen for St. Joe.
As far as the environmental aspect, why not use the already degraded land where the current airport is located rather than destroy 4500 acres, including 1500 acres of wetlands? They also plan to block off a creek. Even though Cheney's 757 landed at the old airport, if a longer runway is needed, they could extend the old one.
Why were the residents ignored when they voted against the airport?
On thing you need to consider, its a good 45-60 minute drive (longer during the summer) from either Panama City or Destin airports and a $65.00 cab fee. So you have to rent a car, and you better do that at least 7 days in advance during a holiday weekend. The primary runway at Panama City is 14-32, and unless its extended into the bay, there is not any room for expansion. In the summer time, and when there is high density altitude, a 6300 ft run way is cutting things really close for a heavy passenger aircraft. Destin Airport has no room for expansion of runways, is dangerously busy, and still does not have a controll tower. It's just a matter of time before there is a major general aviation accident at DTS. DeFuniak Airport is 30 miles away from 30-A and a 45 minute drive during off season to 30-A. The FBO needs to be modernized, needs on site rental car service, longer runways, improved lighting and instrument approaches before it can be considered a average general aviation airport.
If the PC airport gets ditched, then what really needs to be considered is a rapid transit system to 30-A that connects Destin, Panama City and DeFuniak.
.......
If the PC airport gets ditched, then what really needs to be considered is a rapid transit system to 30-A that connects Destin, Panama City and DeFuniak.
A rapid transit rail system would be something that would be beneficial to all, not just those who fly.
flyforfunflyforfunBeach FanaticBirmingham, Al311 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
flyforfunBeach FanaticBirmingham, Al311 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticA rapid transit rail system would be something that would be beneficial to all, not just those who fly.
Yes, a rapid transit system similar to the Japan model would be great, still you will have people to complain about how ungly it would look raised above 30-A or running along 98.
ecopalecopalBeach Fanatic261 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
ecopalBeach Fanatic261 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticYes, a rapid transit system similar to the Japan model would be great, still you will have people to complain about how ungly it would look raised above 30-A or running along 98.
Actually it would be quieter than road traffic and produce significantly less air pollution than either cars or airplanes.
Camp Creek KidCamp Creek KidChristini ZambiniSeacrest Beach1,277 postsJoined View profileMessageChristini Zambini
Camp Creek KidChristini ZambiniSeacrest Beach1,277 postsJoined View profileMessageChristini ZambiniPut in a monorail--my kids would love it and think they were at Disneyworld!! The monorail is their favoriate attraction at the Magic Kingdom!
GoodWitch58GoodWitch58Beach Fanatic4,810 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
it might even be cheaper than four laning 331 -- certainly couldn't be any less attractive than cutting down all the trees has been!
I think it's a grayt idea:clap_1:
I think it's a grayt idea:clap_1:
SHELLYSHELLYSoWal Insider5,763 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Insider
SHELLYSoWal Insider5,763 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal InsiderA rapid transit rail system would be something that would be beneficial to all, not just those who fly.
Florida already voted one of those in...then voted it out again. Guess we can do a Three-peat.
pmd8pmd8Beach Lover142 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
pmd8Beach Lover142 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach LoverHave you looked at what St Joe is giving up? 90% West Bay will never be built on. Thats 20+ miles of waterfront as well as 10s of thousands of inland acres. Yes it will bring more people and jobs to the area. Many Countys will grow from this new airport and that will be good for about 80% of the population. If you are not in the 80%, sorry.. your land will find a bottom sooner than the rest of the Country. Money might not be important to you but it is to most of us. The enviromental impact of St Joe developing West Bay is the greater risk to the enviroment. The Airport is north of hwy 388 and any streem has already been diverted to pass under the road.
The airport has nothing to do with the West Bay Conservation Area. It will remain a conservation area regardless of whether the airport is moved. St. Joe agreed to it in order to develop the surrounding areas. Much of it is in a flood zone and it can be difficult these days to build in such areas. If you've ever driven down the old logging roads, you'd see much of it is swampland. The roads used to be open to the public. You can still find unlocked gates. If it hasn't rained recently, you probably won't need four-wheel drive. It's well worth the drive.
As far as the "streem", it would appear to flow into Burnt Mill Creek which is not diverted but has a bridge over it.
Money is important, which is why I think $331 million dollars could be better spent benefiting 100% of the population.
If you think growth benefits 80% of the population, please visit Miami. Not South Beach, Coral Gables or Coconut Grove, but the Miami that most residents deal with. Have a chat with someone who works in the tourism industry about their $9 an hour salary and $800 rent. Ask them about the schools that are over capacity. Ask me about my property taxes and the higher millage rate that inevitably accompanies denser populations.
The property I own in Walton County was not bought with profit in mind, but it has increased by about 700% in value in the last 10 years. When the population density becomes too great, it will be sold. Then I can go buy a Hummer and build a McMansion.
Edited
BobBobSoWal InsiderO'Wal10,368 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Insider
BobSoWal InsiderO'Wal10,368 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal InsiderThe airport has nothing to do with the West Bay Conservation Area. It will remain a conservation area regardless of whether the airport is moved. St. Joe agreed to it in order to develop the surrounding areas. Much of it is in a flood zone and it can be difficult these days to build in such areas. If you've ever driven down the old logging roads, you'd see much of it is swampland. The roads used to be open to the public. You can still find unlocked gates. If it hasn't rained recently, you probably won't need four-wheel drive. It's well worth the drive.I thought I had dark visions.
As far as the "streem", it would appear to flow into Burnt Mill Creek which is not diverted but has a bridge over it.
Money is important, which is why I think $331 million dollars could be better spent benefiting 100% of the population.
If you think growth benefits 80% of the population, please visit Miami. Not South Beach, Coral Gables or Coconut Grove, but the Miami that most residents deal with. Have a chat with someone who works in the tourism industry about their $9 an hour salary and $800 rent. Ask them about the schools that are over capacity. Ask me about my property taxes and the higher millage rate that inevitably accompanies denser populations.
The property I own in Walton County was not bought with profit in mind, but it has increased by about 700% in value in the last 10 years. When the population density becomes too great, it will be sold. Then I can go buy a Hummer and build a McMansion.
Bobby JBobby JBeach FanaticBlue Mountain beach4,041 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Bobby JBeach FanaticBlue Mountain beach4,041 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticI heard this will be the first airport built in the country in 22 years? Last one is Denver? I do not know if this is accurate but checking with the great minds of SOWAL.
Checking your forum account
Please wait while we verify your forum account.