About 100 anti-airport activists gathered on Wednesday on the north staircase of the Olympia legislature to urge state lawmakers to stop looking for a place to build a new commercial airport in Washington.
The prospect of a potential two-runway airport in one of three rural areas in Pierce and Thurston counties has sparked fierce opposition from residents. Residents face fears of losing their homes and are raising alarm about threats to public safety, wildlife and nature. environment.
In an hour-long demonstration in the morning, they used their most powerful weapon: their voice.
Coalition Against Graham and Eatonville-Roy Airports organizer Scott Lay provided further encouragement.
“What do we want?” Ray asked.
“Stop the airport!” the crowd replied.
Most brought autographs to the state capitol. They sought to repel the urban sprawl. Protecting water, wildlife and homes. Investment in high-speed rail as an alternative to air travel.and abolished Civil Aviation Coordinating Committeea national planning group tasked with identifying viable locations for a new two-runway airport.
“Keep rural Pierce County evergreen!” said one sign.
In 2019, CACC was directed by the state legislature to investigate potential landing sites for Washington’s next major airport, amid forecasts that Seattle-Tacoma International Airport will reach capacity by 2032. 27 million passengers miss flights each year By 2050.
The investigation began when the commission narrowed its review of sites to two so-called Greenfield locations in Pierce County and another in Thurston County in September. wave of local backlash It is organized and permanent.
Stop-the-Thurston airport chief organizer Dawn Sontag said he was one of several speakers who addressed those gathered at the Houses of Parliament on working day.
Exploring the airport site has energized the communities of Graham, Roy, East Olympia and the surrounding area. The organizers said that even if they insisted on a short-term victory, they would have to remain vigilant and maintain the course, anticipating that the battle could be prolonged.
Rep. Tom Dent of R-Moses Lake said he hopes to introduce legislation this week. reset Or end your 3 year ongoing search for CACC.Dent is among several state and local legislators expressed opposition Prospects for an airport in Pierce or Thurston counties.
“These three sites will never happen,” he told demonstrators.
Dent and other lawmakers say the CACC process, initiated by a bill that was unanimously approved in 2019, is flawed and lacks the necessary civic engagement. Rather than call for better site selection, at least some of those who oppose building an airport in the South Puget Sound would rather shelve the airport plan permanently to end the stress of the unknown. .
“People have a right to feel safe and to know that their homes are safe,” Ray said.
Orting Mayor Josh Penner warned activists to be vigilant.
“We have someone on the ropes,” he said.
The rally attracted residents from Thurston, Pierce, and King counties at the start of Lobby Day. On Lobby Day, people met with legislators to defend a particular cause. Some rally attendees said a meeting was set for later in the day.
Penner urged activists to seek commitment from lawmakers, noting that it is worth more than words of protest.
“Runways don’t care about rhetoric. Everything we’re talking about here doesn’t matter,” he said. “What matters is the relationships you build in that building.”
