12 House Members Oppose Massive Expansion of LAX

A bipartisan coalition of 12 Southern California House members on Thursday expressed strong opposition to a major expansion of Los Angeles International Airport, calling instead for a more regional approach to the area’s air transportation needs.

Led by Reps. Jane Harman (D-Redondo Beach) and Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles), the group released a letter sent to U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta that said the proposed $12-billion expansion of LAX would only add to air pollution, noise levels and traffic congestion.

Greater use of some of the 12 other airports in the region would help distribute “the benefits and burdens of air transportation across the region,” the lawmakers said in their joint statement.

The letter to Mineta--a former longtime House member from San Jose--asked for his support “as we address the transportation needs of our region and nation.”

At a news conference, Harman said, “We must have the support of the Department of Transportation and its component, the Federal Aviation Administration, to certify the air safety of a regional plan.”

Federal officials should encourage airlines to move flights to airports in Ontario, Palmdale, Victorville and other communities, she said.

An aide said Mineta would take the letter under study.

Another lawmaker who signed the letter, Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands), said he plans to question Mineta about the LAX issue when the department’s budget for the next fiscal year comes before the House Appropriations Committee.

If the plan for expanding LAX progresses, influential California House members such as Lewis could have the power to block federal funds for the project.

The LAX expansion effort has the support of outgoing Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, but has been bogged down by community and environmental opposition. In March, officials of six Southern California counties adopted a regional aviation proposal to push future airport growth to outlying areas.

Jim Ritchie, in charge of planning for LAX, said city officials agree with the need to develop other airports in the region, noting that the LAX expansion plan would accommodate only a quarter of the region’s expected demand.

But he and other supporters of LAX expansion, including City Councilman Hal Bernson, argue that the airport must be modernized to improve passenger service and to continue to create jobs and economic activity.

Mayoral candidates James K. Hahn and Antonio Villaraigosa, however, have said they favor a regional plan over massive construction at LAX.

Riordan and LAX officials have spent six years and more than $60 million on the proposal to expand runways, build a passenger terminal and make highway and rail improvements.

A recent FAA study concluded that “demand at Los Angeles is projected to grow by 25% over the next decade, indicating that [travel] delays will increase substantially in the future.”

The study found that congestion is reaching crisis proportions nationwide because the number of air travelers is outstripping the capacity of runways. LAX is handling its loads for the time being, the study said, but faces future troubles.

California House members said regional plans have worked well in Washington, D.C., and the New York metropolitan region.

“I have been arguing for eight years that a regional approach makes sense for Southern California,” said Harman, whose district includes neighborhoods near LAX. “Since then, we’ve seen almost 100 cities . . . support this position.”

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, whose district includes LAX, said, “We are not trying to limit the air traffic that comes into the region. We are trying to meet demand in a way that makes the most effective use of all the region’s airport resources.”

Others signing the letter were Joe Baca (D-Rialto), Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles), Howard Berman (D-Mission Hills), Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Santa Clarita), Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach), Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks), Hilda Solis (D-El Monte) and Henry A. Waxman (D-Los Angeles).