FREQUENTLY ASKED QUEstions - updated (3/30)

The legislature, in April 2019, created the CACC (Commercial Aviation Coordination Commission) with legislation passed by an unanimous vote and signed by the Governor.  It is made up of 15 voting and 12 non-voting members, designated by the legislature and appointed by the Governor,  Their charge is to assess and recommend a site for a commercial, Sea-Tac sized airport which is to be completed by 2040.  Their work was handicapped by the pandemic, as well as a lack of funding and overall focus on aviation interests instead of the general public.  You can find out more about the CACC and it's public records here:  https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/aviation/commercial-aviation-coordinating-commission

After our Town Hall in Graham, January 13 and contacting them on Legislative Lobby Day  Jan. 25 in Olympia, the chair of the House Transportation Committee (Rep. Jake Fey, D-Tacoma) and one of it's members that appeared at them (Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake) agreed that the process was flawed and agreed to fix it.

They have introduced a bill, House Bill 1791, that has fourteen co-sponsors from both parties.  It had a hearing in the House Transportation Committee Thursday, (Feb. 16); thanks to all who testified and sent in their comments.   You can view a video of the hearing by clicking on the bottom of the bill's webpage (see News-Events for the link).  The testimony for HB1791 starts at the 20:00 mark.  The bill was heard in executive session on Thursday, Feb. 23, introduced as a "substitute bill" with amendments.  The amendments dealt with taking the sites with military installation interference off of consideration (our three) first, addressing greenhouse gas emissions limits, and also stronger consideration for local land use policies, among other items.  You can see the amendments on the bill page link on the News Events page.

The bill, as substituted, was adopted with a "do pass" recommendation vote (24-4) and moved out of Committee.  As of March 8, the Rules Committee released the bill to the House Floor, where it passed 88-9.  The bill had a public hearing in the Senate Transportation Committee last week (3/21), an executive session will be held Tuesday, April 4 at 11:30 a.m. for recommendation, then to the Senate Rules Committee to be assigned to the Senate Floor Calendar for second / third reading and vote.   If signed by the Governor, it becomes law; CACC is disbanded and the new Working Group is established.   Stay engaged with your State Senator, other Senators and the Transportation Committee to make sure we get there!

CACC Update:

CACC has re-scheduled their regular meeting to March 30 and conducted a "virtual open house" and two "online public meetings" in March.  Go to the News - Events tab for more info and dates.

Please visit the Facebook pages or websites of this group or others and join the discussion and stay engaged with the process.  You can find links to the FB pages and other sites on the "Who are we?" section below or on the "Ways to Help" tab..

STAY ENGAGED and DON'T GIVE UP!

We are a group of community members that care about our way of life, preservation of our environment, habitat, and protection from the seizure of our property.  If you subscribe to Facebook, you can find out more at https://www.facebook.com/groups/656084869279006  Thurston County has an organization as well, their website is www.stoptheairport.com,  Enumclaw (also under consideration for an airport siting has a Facebook page and a website, www.savetheplateau.com

Click on the "Ways to Help" page for a variety of activities.

Currently, do homework on the latest legislation (ESHB 1791) (See News Events)

Comment on the legislation at committee hearings and with y our legislator.

Please click on the "Community Events" link above.  Events and meetings will be added and updated as they are scheduled.