October 21, 2022

Colleen D'Allessandro
New England Regional Administrator
Federal Aviation Administration
1200 District Avenue
Burlington, MA 01803-5299

Dear Ms. D'Allessandro:

I write as the Senate Chair of the Connecticut General Assembly's Environment Committee, and
the State Senator representing the 12th District, regarding the impact that the expansion of
Tweed-New Haven Airport may have on the environment, as well as the health of
residents. While I have long been an advocate of economic development and enhanced
connectivity through modernized transportation options, I fear that an Environmental
Assessment (EA) for Tweed Airport does not go far enough to study the full extent of the impact
on our communities. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a more detailed and rigorous
examination compared to that of an EA and given the scope and impression of this project, is the
only way to proceed. We must delve deeper and perform due diligence to truly understand both
the short- and long-term implications of this planned expansion, as presented in the Master Plan
Update Final Report provided in October, 2021. For these reasons, I urge you to prepare an EIS
as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
While we consider the benefits that the expansion of Tweed has on the Greater New Haven area,
we must remain mindful about the impact to the land, water and residents surrounding the
airport. This area, comprised of inland and tidal wetlands, preserves, beaches and parks, is part
of a critical ecosystem that without protection, could jeopardize the unique fauna and flora of the
locale. Additionally, the increase in activity and change in flight paths has put neighborhoods
directly in the line of flights at a much higher frequency. Many residents have expressed
concern about the effects increased air traffic brings on their quality of life and health due to the
noise and air pollution associated with the same.
The federal and state government have increased their efforts to understand the consequences
that commercial aviation has on us in order to protect the environment and help mitigate climate
change. The Obama and Biden Administrations have prioritized the reduction of greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions in the transportation and aviation sectors both nationally and
internationally. Just last month, the U.S. Secretary of Energy announced the release of the
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge Roadmap which called for a plan to develop new
technologies to produce sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) across the U.S. airline
industry. Additionally, this past spring, Connecticut passed its own Clean Air Act that strives to
move our state forward to a place of better health, more sustainable transportation options and
cleaner air, placing priority on our environmental justice communities. As you may be aware,
Connecticut has not been meeting its GHG emission reduction goals, and we have failed to
comply with national standards for ozone, in fact we were just recently downgraded to “severe
nonattainment”.
A comprehensive EIS will provide all parties of interest with an understanding of what is at stake
and potential alternatives, should it be determined that the Federal Aviation Administration will
proceed with the full expansion. In such case, I would anticipate that an environmental
mitigation plan be supplied addressing issues such as wetlands restoration, stormwater runoff,
local and migratory wildlife, and greenhouse gas emissions with particular impacts and remedies
for the surrounding environmental justice communities.
Based on the significance of the proposed changes and their suspected effects on the area
ecosystem for which Tweed New Haven Airport has designated for expansion, I feel it is not
only prudent, but necessary to undertake the most rigorous review possible and determine the
appropriate path forward. An EIS will provide a roadmap if you will, clarifying any detriments
or benefits to the surround and highlighting the safeguards needed for a project of this
magnitude. Again, a comprehensive analysis by way of an EIS is the only path forward not only
from the standpoint of community goodwill, but also as required by NEPA for the reasons set
forth above.
If you or your staff has any questions regarding this request, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards,

Christine Cohen
State Senator
12th Senatorial District
cc:
David Cash, EPA, Regional Administrator
Colonel John A. Atilano II, USACE
Kyla Hastie, USFWS, Acting Regional Director
Michael Pentony, NMFS, Regional Administrator
Lori A. Ehrlich, FEMA, Regional Administrator
Katie Dykes, CT DEEP, Commissioner
Sean Scanlon, Tweed-New Haven Airport, Executive Director