By Jessy Cadenas
February 2001

The Los Angeles International Airport, already supporting air traffic upwards of 2,100 flights daily, is hoping for a major growth spurt in its future. Not surprisingly, its plans have raised concerns from local eco-groups, including the Sierra Club. But in addition to regional environmental concerns, the LAX expansion will be subject to scrutiny on issues of environmental justice—whether the negative impacts of expansion will disproportionately fall on nearby African-American and Latino communities.

The environmental impact report and environmental impact statement for the proposed expansion were released to the public Jan. 18, weighing in at a dense 12,000 pages. Initially the public comment period was set at 60 days, but given the size and scope of the information to be reviewed, Councilwoman Ruth Galanter’s office and local environmentalists lobbied for additional time. Now, the public review has been extended to 180 days.

The Sierra Club is concerned with the impact of the proposed airport expansion on communities surrounding LAX for the following reasons:

1. LAX is already one of the top three worst airports in the state of California when it comes to air pollution and noise.
2. If LAX expands it will only worsen the current traffic congestion, air pollution and noise levels in Inglewood, Lennox and South-Central Los Angeles.
   
3. LAX is disproportionately flying over neighborhoods in Inglewood, Lennox and South-Central L.A., including several elementary schools. Exposure to jet fuel that contains the carcinogen benzene, among other chemicals, results in a health risk to children in these low-income areas.
4. Inglewood residents are mostly African-American and Latino. Lennox residents are largely Latino.
   In addition to imposing unfair flight patterns and air pollution on minority-populated communities, LAX further asks residents who live in the noise contour—areas under busy flight paths subject to the loudest disturbances—to sign a legal document officially called an “Avigation Easement” in return for home insulation. While previous policies of the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners required LAX to provide sound insulation for residents in the noise contours and limited the hours planes could take off and land over residential areas, the Avigation Easement allows LAX to escape these regulations. This contract gives LAX the right to fly in, over, through and adjacent to residents’ property and the right to generate noise and pollution therein.

Furthermore, the contract removes citizens’ rights to sue LAX over alleged property damage, personal injury or emotional distress. Residents who choose not to sign an Avigation Easement do not receive sound insulation but are still subjected to the noise and pollution of overhead flights.

With a LAX expansion, these already compromised communities will be burdened with even more stress, pollution and health risks. What is needed is a regional transportation plan that will offer alternatives to airport expansion. The Sierra Club supports high-speed intercity rail service as an alternative to air travel. Rail travel development would save energy, use less land and cut noise and pollutant emissions.

LAX officials claim the expansion is needed to support economic growth. The Sierra Club supports regional planning that will nourish a growing economy—but only in a manner that is sensitive to the environment and the people in it.