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Suit looks to force Republic to complete EIS on new runway
Specifically, Bellone pointed to the relocation and construction of Taxiway Bravo, designed, said Republic officials to ensure greater safety at the airport by increasing the distance between the runway and taxiway as recommended by the FAA. That project is being undertaken without an environmental impact statement as the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) found that there is no significant impact from the relocation. But Bellone said that the new runway would allow larger planes to take off and land more frequently. "That definitely has an environmental impact on the airport and the residents of this Town," said Bellone who was authorized by the Town Board on Oct. 17, to commence legal against the airport challenging its negative environmental finding. In addition to the work on the new runway, based on negative environmental reviews- by purchasing of 11.3 acres of property on Conklin Street, constructing and expanding hangers there, adding more than 185,000 square feet, some of which is being leased out non-airport related businesses. "We are calling upon Republic officials to stop what they are doing, commit to a meaningful dialogue with the community and complete of some type of a master plan that will give legitimacy to the work being done there," said Bellone "As far as we are concerned, these are illegal expansion projects undertaken without community input or an environmental review. "It has been 25 years that we have been asking for a master plan or environmental impact statement on the projects at Republic, said Helen Norjen of the Woodland Civic Association in Farmingdale who attended the press conference announcing commencement of the lawsuit last week. "It has been months since we had some promising dialogue with the new management at Republic on the issue of a master plan today we have more projects and an airport that is growing," he said. "I call upon them to match their rhetoric with action" he said. Airport officials said this week that they have not seen the lawsuit and could not comment on it. However, they have said that efforts to complete a master plan in the past have been stymied by aggressive public opposition designed to stop the airport's growth or shut it down completely. In the spring, however, Airport Director Michael Geiger and members of the Republic Airport Commission began discussions with the Town about completing a "vision plan," that would address the concerns of residents. At that time Bellone said he did not care what the airport called its plan, as long as it included the opportunity for public input and ensured that the airport would abide by it, once completed. Now, nine months later Bellone said that Republic's position about the master plan is irresponsible. "They are saying they can't complete a plan because it is too hard," said Bellone. "But as public officials we are all obligated to do what is right, regardless of how hard it is and this is a state agency. It has a moral obligation to complete a master plan and give the community the input to which it deserves and is legally entitled." "We want Republic airport to become a good neighbor," said Duwayne Gregory, a spokesman for S.C. Leg. Elie Mystal. "We are already seeing an impact from the changes made at Republic in the form of more planes and more noise and it is having a negative impact on property values," said Joanne Murphy, a local realtor and member of the Lindenhurst Chamber of Commerce.
The suit will be filed within two weeks in State Supreme Court.
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