"New St. George, Utah Airport Must Wait"

Saturday, May 25, 2002

New St. George Airport Must Wait
BY BRENT ISRAELSEN
THE SALT LAKE (UT) TRIBUNE


    The Federal Aviation Administration must re-evaluate how the proposed
new St. George airport would affect the natural quiet in nearby Zion
National Park, a federal court has ruled.

    The Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., on Friday sided with
an Arizona-based environmental group that last year challenged an FAA
environmental assessment approving St. George's new $92 million airport.

    That assessment, said the court, "fails to address the total noise
impact that will result from the [new] airport."

    Tom Robinson, government affairs director for the Flagstaff, Ariz.-based
Grand Canyon Trust, said the ruling was a victory for those who enjoy the
quiet splendor of Zion, one of the West's most revered national parks.

    The Washington-based attorney for the FAA was out of town Friday and
unavailable for comment.

    To accommodate increases in air traffic and bigger aircraft, St. George
has proposed building a new airport on 1,400 acres 7 miles east of town. Its
current airport, on a mesa on the west side of town, does not have room to
expand.

    In its assessment of the new airport, the FAA considered only the
"incremental" increase in noise as compared to the existing airport.

    The court ordered the FAA to evaluate the "cumulative impact" of that
increased noise in light of all the other aviation-related noise that might
be heard in Zion.

    For example, the assessment should take into account flights over the
park from other airports, air tours near and over the park that originate
from the St. George airport and the proposed expansions of other airports in
nearby southern Nevada.

    "Without analyzing the total noise impact on the park as a result of
[the new airport], the FAA is not in a position to determine whether the
additional noise . . . would cause a significant environmental impact on the
park."

    The court's order could result in a more comprehensive environmental
impact statement, which could delay the start of construction.

    St. George officials hope to have the airport in operation by 2008.

    "We are not saying they don't get a new airport but that Zion is a
special place and they must look at it that way. . . . They can have a new
airport and go to this incredible place and experience natural quiet. It
doesn't have to be either-or," said Robinson.

    Robinson praised the court for recognizing the FAA should work more
closely with the National Park Service, which has conducted its own noise
monitoring studies.

    "The court seemed to agree there was a lot of good monitoring and
methodology out there that the FAA didn't take advantage of."

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