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OAW looks at HIO
By Miki Barnes, OAW

Oregon Aviation Watch (OAW) is a 501c(3) non-profit organization whose primary purpose is to research, educate and advocate aviation issues on behalf of the public interest and public welfare. Much of our work focuses on the ongoing growth and expansion at the Hillsboro Airport (HIO).

Over the past 84 years HIO has grown from a grassy airstrip to the largest general aviation airport in the state. Student and recreational pilots, along with corporate jets, now dominate the skies over much of the area, both in Hillsboro as well as in designated training areas within 20 miles of the airport. The Port of Portland assumed ownership of the facility more than 48 years ago, yet over the course of that time has never taken a “hard look” at the environmental impact by completing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Despite claims that the Hillsboro Airport is an economic asset to the community, the Port openly admits that this airport has never generated a profit. As a result, the Port relies on public money to keep the Hillsboro Airport afloat on behalf of the private businesses, flight training schools and recreational pilots who frequent this facility.

Current OAW projects include the following:

In 2014 OAW filed an appeal challenging the construction of a third runway at the Hillsboro Airport. Though the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has not yet set a hearing date, the Port of Portland built and began utilizing the runway in April 2015, without waiting for a court decision. The main purpose of this runway is to accommodate a private out-of-state flight training business that primarily trains pilots from overseas. The runway, which has the potential to nearly double the capacity at this airport, was subsidized with public money. Four million dollars was allocated through the state Connect Oregon program. The bulk of the remainder came from the FAA. The State Department of Transportation also contributed. (OAW expects a hearing date to be set soon for their appeal. Sign up for their informative newsletter if you would like updates.)

Built in 2002, Nike’s corporate hangar is aptly named Air Hangar 1 (a reference to their iconic Air Force 1 shoe) and can sustain flight operations to any of the six continents where the company’s employees and subcontractors work.

HIO and other airports in the region generate a great deal of noise throughout the day and night hours. OAW has established an on-line aviation noise complaint form that notifies the Port, DEQ, Washington County Commissions, the City of Hillsboro and the FAA of community concerns. It can be accessed here.

OAW is extremely concerned about the lead pollution at the Hillsboro Airport. We were honored to be invited to be part of a coalition, along with Friends of the Earth, EarthJustice, the Golden Gate University Environmental Law and Justice Clinic, and Physicians for Social Responsibility, in urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue an endangerment finding regarding the use of leaded aviation fuel. The EPA has not yet made a final decision on this issue. For additional information, visit the EarthJustice site.

In 2007, the owner and operator of HIO, the Port of Portland (Port), estimated annual lead emissions of 0.7 tons per year during the landing and take-off (LTO) cycle of flight. The Port is now forecasting that LTO lead emissions will increase to 0.9 tons by 2021. Additional lead is released during ground run-up engine checks and the cruise phase of flight. HIO is the number one facility source of lead in Oregon. It ranks 21st among nearly 20,000 airports nationwide in lead pollution.

PATS 2005 Estimated Lead Concentrations

HIO is a major facility source of an array of other air toxics as well. Per the 2011 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Emissions Inventory (NEI), HIO is the largest facility source of acrolein, 1,3 butadiene, ethyl benzene, and acetaldehyde in Washington County. All of these air toxins are listed in the DEQ Portland Air Toxics Solutions (PATS) study as exceeding benchmark levels. PATS recommended reducing these pollutants by 81-88% depending on the specific toxin. HIO is also the largest facility source of formaldehyde in Washington County, and it is also one of the 15 toxins identified in the PATS study as exceeding benchmark levels. PATS recommended reducing this pollutant by 10%. Notwithstanding the serious health risks associated with these air toxins, no efforts have been initiated by DEQ, the Port of Portland, or the State of Oregon to protect the public from these emissions.

In addition, HIO generates a number of pollutants not included in the PATS study. In response to Clean Air Act requirements, the EPA established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six “criteria” pollutants determined to pose a danger to public health and the environment. These pollutants are lead, carbon monoxide, particulate matter (includes PM 2.5 and PM 10), ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. According to the 2011 EPA NEI, HIO is the largest facility source of elemental carbon particulate matter 2.5 and carbon monoxide and the second largest source of nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter 2.5 emissions in Washington County.

Please note that when Port of Portland prepared its initial environmental assessment on the third runway proposal, it relied on readings from a DEQ monitor, located in Southeast Portland more than 16 miles from HIO, to predict these criteria pollutants, excepting lead which was estimated. The Port’s failure to actually monitor these toxins within the vicinity of the airport is alarming.

Finally, another issue impacting Washington County residents is aerial pesticide spraying. OAW is not spearheading this effort. Beyond Toxins, a non-profit environmental organization, has recently proposed three ballot measures to address this issue. For additional details see this page.

The mission of OAW is to enhance and protect the quality of life for Oregon residents by eliminating the adverse impacts of aviation activity. Issues of concern include noise intrusions, environmental pollution, climate change, health risks, social injustice, property devaluation, safety hazards, security threats, land use restrictions, and fiscal inequities. Our vision is to achieve a transparent, accountable, and sustainable aviation system that neither disregards nor diminishes the environment, livability, health, or well-being of current and future generations of Oregon residents.

For more information, and to support our efforts, visit our website or contact us at info@oregonaviationwatch.org.

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