Regional Council OKs Tweed Plan, Some Want Deeper Environmental Study

NEW HAVEN, CT — In the wake of the South Central Regional Council of Governments' vote this week to support the Tweed New Haven Airport's proposed $100 million expansion plan, one council member walked out of the Wednesday meeting.

The Airport Authority submitted its 206-page draft Environmental Assessment to the Federal Aviation Administration in early March. East Haven Mayor Joseph A. Carfora, among other local and state leaders, as well as Save Our Sound and Friends of the Farm River Estuary, have called for a much more robust study. The argument is that the assessment does not dig deep enough into the potential effects of the expansion on wetlands, marshes, wildlife, and the ecosystem in general.

Carfora told Patch that he "aggressively objected to the council taking any action at this stage in the process, and I again called for a more detailed Environmental Impact Study."

As reported by Patch beginning in May 2021, the airport's expansion calls for moving its terminal to the East Haven side of its property while extending its runway by more than 1,000 feet. The Airport Authority and the city of New Haven inked a 43-year lease in 2021, and in August, the deal was sealed between Goldman Sachs-owned Avports and the Authority, over East Haven's strong objections. Read that story here.

"Since I took office in 2019, I have always believed that the burden of noise, traffic, and environmental consequences should be shared between East Haven and New Haven," he said. "I questioned the need for SCROG to adopt a resolution to support the draft Environmental Assessment."

He described the assessment as a document that "comically projects not only minimal impacts from the proposed expansion, but also a net benefit to the environment if the proposed action is accepted."

Among those at the meeting were New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker via Zoom, Branford First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove, Guilford First Selectman Matt Hoey, and Madison First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons. Carfora said he took the opportunity to highlight "deficiencies in the study, and asked the members whether they had read it or its findings."

Many had not, he said.

"I encouraged council members to read the document before they voted on anything," the Mayor told Patch. He'd offered to provide experts to "review the entire EA with the group—my offer was clearly declined."

In a statement, Carfora noted that, "East Haven is an environmental justice community, and stated that the proposed expansion plans created a transformative burden solely on East Haven—that it is lopsided, and is an environmental injustice for our town."

"I have preached shared burden from the very beginning: that simply does not exist within the current plans," he said. "We have hired experts who, after extensive research, support the need for an Environmental Impact Study due to significant deficiencies found in the Environmental Assessment."

He thanked those towns that "supported my position:" Branford, North Haven, and Wallingford

Branford weighs in

Following Wednesday's SCRCOG meeting Democratic Board of Selectman member Raymond Dunbar weighed in.

Despite the SCRCOG vote to push forward, Dunbar said the Environmental Assessment “fails to consider the impact on the nearby wildlife and delicate ecosystems as well as the individuals living in the vicinity.”

Dunbar pointed to concerns expressed by Branford residents, including the impact of noise and air pollution in neighborhoods located over direct flight paths and the upsurge in airport activities.

“Many residents have voiced their concerns about the negative impact of increased air traffic on their quality of life and health,” Dunbar said in his letter to the FAA.

Branford Town Representative Tracy Everson (D-5th District), who serves as the Minority Leader, again voiced her support for a full EIS.

“Branford has a population of approximately 28,000. I am here to advocate for a full
environmental impact statement on behalf of the people in my town and my constituents who are
concerned about the long-term health effects and environmental impact of an expanded Tweed,”
Everson said.

A member of the Branford Coastal Vulnerability ad hoc Working Group, and in her personal remarks, questioned such a substantial investment on airport land that is 12 feet above sea level. She added the state projects sea level rise of 20 inches by 2050, and wondered how a full environmental review could be skipped knowing this type of flooding is projected.

“We are relying on the Federal Aviation Administration to require complete due diligence - first.
An environmental assessment should not be considered enough, given its based on modeling and
projections,” she added.

Everson pointed out that the Environmental Assessment reveals that 50 percent of the flights pass
over Branford at low altitudes as they approach the airport to land.

“Scientific research tells us that increased asthma levels result from airport proximity. The low approach over Branford brings planes perilously close to what were once quiet neighborhoods. No one asked us - the residents - if it was ok to increase the flights above our town.”

The public comment period on the Tweed expansion plan was extended to May 1.
Written comments will be accepted until May 1, 2023, via mail or email at:

• HVN-EA Public Comments, McFarland Johnson, 49 Court Street, Suite 240 Binghamton, NY 13901
• hvn-ea@mjinc.com

All comments received will be weighted equally, whether submitted orally or written.

Read the voluminous environmental assessment here:

Tweed New Haven Airport dra... by Ellyn Santiago

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