Little Known Facts
Little Known Facts are some of the reasons for the endless hours and years of work that volunteers have contributed to this project, fighting to stop the airport expansion. Since June of 1993, we have tirelessly documented, questioned, and promoted watershed protection through forums, conferences, letter and flyers. We have taken a vigorous, creative approach to opposing this ridiculous airport expansion plan. The plan to expand an airport into wetlands in today's age of enlightenment, which clearly defines a whole host of environmental issues, requires adherence to essential science and human rights sensibility. Airport expansion is in the wrong place and certainly at the wrong time, given the enormous debts states and the federal government have levied on the already burdened taxpayer, as one of our Board Members so aptly wrote in an editorial letter to the Daily News (see News).
The For Rent
sign has been in front of this airport hangar for many weeks. The
airport management used the lack of available hangar space as a reason
for airport expansion. In fact, it was reported that there was a waiting
list for hangar space because of so much demand.
Would a For Rent sign be necessary if there was a waiting list?
The design
and construction plans for the airport perimeter fence cost $35,000,
paid for by the Department of Transportation. Was this cost necessary?
Could this money be put to better use?
The cost to install the fencing around the airport in 2007 was $473,685, paid for by the FAA. The FAA is also responsible for the EIS (Environmental Impact Statement). Would this be considered a conflict of interest since the FAA is the sponsor of the EIS?
The great blue
herons, with 13 nests, and sandhill cranes, chose the wetlands for their
rookeries. The City of West Bend and the Department of Transportation
also chose the wetlands for the West Bend airport expansion. Help us to
protect the rookeries and prevent expansion; join Watershed Watchers.
Of the 258 acres of wetlands, 150 acres will be destroyed and unfortunately the other hundred acres will be fragmented. When part of a wetland is filled for roads or runways, the remaining wetland's function either slows down or stops. Essentially 258 acres of recharge area for our groundwater/well use could be lost with the expansion of the airport.
Shared water - The City of West Bend
recently drilled a municipal, supposedly, high-capacity well with very disappointing results.
This pond and many others will be drained and filled for airport expansion. This area is a
migratory flyway for thousands of birds, various ducks and geese that
take advantage of the wonderful habitat the ponds and wetlands provide.
Question: Should the City of West Bend be looking for new sources for wells? The airport expansion plan would drain and fill three large ponds and destroy five high-value ephemeral pools. All water in Washington County comes from shallow aquifers and with increased construction of impervious surfaces, there will be a decrease in aquifer water production.
The Milwaukee
River parallels Highway 33. In some places and in times of heavy rains
the river spills into the wetlands and over the highway into more
wetlands. The wetlands or recharge areas become the welcome
repositories, releasing water slowly into the groundwater. Private or
municipal wells are the only source of water in the county. The shallow
aquifers that feed our wells need the wetland sponges to replenish their
supply of fresh, clean water. Without recharge areas the shallow
aquifers dry up.
We need to save our wetlands. The plans to expand the West Bend Airport will destroy 150 acres of wetlands and ultimately the Quality of Life in the neighborhood.