The San Diego Regional Airport Authority recently doubled the public comment period for its draft environmental impact report of the planned maximization of the San Diego International Airport.
Residents and public agencies now have until Friday, Jan. 4 ” an extension of 45 days ” to submit comments on the report, which analyzes the environmental impact of the planned construction of 10 gates at Terminal 2, a dual-level roadway near Terminal 2 and other improvements.
“We extended the review period “¦ based on numerous requests we received from community members as well as several public agencies,” said Ted Anasis, manager of Lindbergh Field’s Airport Planning Department.
The California Environmental Quality Act requires the Airport Authority to circulate the draft EIR for at least 45 days. The extension now allows for a 90-day comment period, Anasis said.
The extension, however, falls short of the time requested by the Peninsula Community Planning Board, which had asked the comment period to be extended to 120 days. The board sent a letter to the Airport Authority last month requesting the extension.
The board voted Nov. 15 to send a second letter to the Airport Authority iterating their request to expand the comment period until February.
PCPB board member Gregg Robinson said the additional 45-day extension ” particularly because of the holidays ” isn’t enough time to read and comment on the report.
“If the board itself can’t wade through [the EIR] in this period of time, how the heck can we think the public can do that?” Robinson asked board members.
Residents, public agencies and interested persons can view the draft EIR at www.sanplan.com.
Comments less than 2,000 words may be submitted via e-mail to [email protected]. Comments longer than 2,000 words ” along with any attachments ” should be sent to the Airport Planning Department, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, P.O. Box 82776, San Diego, CA, 92138-2776.