By STEVE SWITZER

Recently , someone asked me , “ What do I really need to know about the airport issue ?”

My first draft response took 14 pages . A little exces-

SWITZER

sive ? OK . I went ahead and cut it down to 10 . Then I received an email from the Oregon Department of Aviation ( ODAV ). It summarized in one line what we here in Charbonneau really need to know . It also confirmed what former CCC President Tony Holt had been saying for the last eight years of his life .

The email from the ODAV said that the “ Oregon Aviation Board ( OAB ) never approved or adopted the 2012 Airport Master Plan .” In addition , Marion County never adopted the plan into their Comprehensive Plan . Both are required by Oregon law . Let that sink in for just a minute . The 2012 Airport Master Plan included a proposed 1,000-foot runway extension based on estimates and projections for future jet use . The plan forecast that the Aurora State Airport would double the number of operations by 2022 and triple the number of based jets by 2030 . Using projections that were partially based upon “ pilot surveys ” and a term called “ constrained operations ,” the ODAV applied for a $ 35 million grant from the FAA for the proposed runway extension . The FAA approved the plan , but not the funds .

When the 2012 Plan was presented , Mr . Holt , along with many others , pointed out the many flaws in its reasoning , the process and its conclusions . The ODAV pressed on , claiming it was all done correctly . In 2019 , the OAB held a hearing in Bend on the issue and the ODAV assured the aviation board that they followed all of the correct procedures . However , several groups , including the city of Wilsonville , filed an appeal with the Land Use Board of

Appeals ( LUBA ). LUBA declined to rule on the matter so the case was appealed to the Oregon Court of Appeals . In a detailed decision last summer , the court ruled that the master plan violated multiple state laws and administrative rules . In addition , the plan allowed for a “ larger class of airplane ” and also extended the runway beyond the current airport boundaries into land zoned for farm use . Not satisfied and still claiming that the plan was done correctly , the ODAV appealed to the Oregon Supreme Court . In record time , the Supreme Court agreed unanimously with the lower court . Then , on April 11 , LUBA remanded the entire 2012 Master Plan back to the ODAV . Now , after losing in both the Oregon Court of Appeals and the Oregon Supreme Court , they now admit that the 2012 plan is invalid . And , to top it off , the backup material for the 2012 plan ( also required by state law ) “ cannot be located .” Thank you Mr . Holt and others that have been working on this issue for the past decade .

No matter what your position is on the airport , we can all agree that our state agencies should be the first to follow the law . Mr . Holt always said that he had no issue with the airport as long as the ODAV followed state law in future planning . We are directly impacted by such planning . My responsibility representing Charbonneau is to raise issues presented in the current 2022 Master Plan process that have a direct effect on our community . We would assume that the ODAV will follow Oregon law , especially since they were called out for not doing so in the 2012 plan . So far , I have yet to be convinced , but I am a hopeless optimist .

Here are the current issues that we are concerned about :

� The FAA has specific guidelines for public involvement in the planning process . So far , those have not been followed . Did you know that the ODAV conducted a survey of “ surrounding communities ” in March ? For some reason , very few in Charbonneau were contacted .

� Over half of the “ Public Advisory Committee ” is made up of businesses that have a direct financial interest in expanding the airport .

� The ODAV has a direct financial

interest in expanding the airport since most of its revenue comes from taxes on aviation fuel sales .

� Previous forecasts for aircraft activity have been inflated by almost 20 %. These forecasts relate directly to the ODAV ’ s argument to the FAA for the need of a longer runway .

� The current forecast for future based jet aircraft differs by over 25 % from a study done just three years ago . Right now , they project over 50 jets will be based at Aurora by the end of the decade .

� Even after 10 years , there are no real numbers as to the economic benefit that increased airport use has on our area , only assumptions . They tout the number of employees at the various businesses , but make no provisions for the impact that has on our surrounding roads .

� There has been no updated environmental assessment of the impact the current airport operations have on the ground water , air , or “ forever ” chemicals . The expansion plan is also contrary to the governor ’ s climate change goals . Yet , cities and counties across the state are expected to follow the governor ’ s guidelines .

� Developers at the airport resist efforts by the city of Aurora to annex the airport to the city , even though they wish to continue developing the land around the airport that impacts the city and surrounding area . This is contrary to state land use goals .

� The ODAV continues to resist cooperating with Clackamas County and the city of Wilsonville in forming a joint government agreement to manage the development .

Citizens of Oregon expect more from their government . We take no issue with the businesses and aircraft operators at Aurora . They have been granted an incredible opportunity through legislation passed in 2005 commonly known as “ through the fence .” They get to use taxpayer-funded airport facilities at absolutely no charge , skirt land use rules for their developments of large corporate hangers and office space and pay little or no attention to the impacts to the neighborhood .

It is more than noise and flyovers . For those that know me , you have seen me get a little carried away with this issue . And , I appreciate the comments

that many of you have shared with me . I did not know Mr . Holt very well , but now I know where his passion came from . He believed , like I do , that my government can do better . And that is what we really need to know about the airport issue .

Decisions made in this master plan will affect Charbonneau residents for many years . The CCC Board wants residents 20 years from now to know that we did everything we could to represent their interests in that process .

COURTESY PHOTO

Wilsonville Scouts BSA Troop 194 / 5194 ’ s plant sale will be held June 11 .

Wilsonville Scouts BSA Troop 194 / 5194 is hosting its annual plant sale after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic .

The plant sale has been happening annually for the past 35 years and is one of the group ’ s biggest fundraisers of the year . Funds are used to support scouting in Wilsonville and ensure every scout has an opportunity to attend summer camp . Attending summer camp is an integral and important part of reaching the elusive Eagle Scout Rank .

Offerings include trees and scrubs of all sizes and varieties , flats of flowers , hanging baskets , succulents and more !

The sale is set for Saturday , June 11 , 9:30 a . m . -2 p . m ., at the Siemens Campus ( old Mentor Graphics ) near the baseball field , 8005 Boeckman Road , in Wilsonville .

For more information , please contact :

Jarold Weiser , committee chair , at 503-956-8019 or jaroldweiser @ gmail . com . Find us on Facebook : Troop 194 Wilsonville Scouts .