Airport siting bill passes WA House, gets Senate hearing
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 7 months AGO
A bill that would replace the Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission, established in 2019, to recommend possible locations for a new airport had a public hearing in the Washington Senate Tuesday.
FILE PHOTO
OLYMPIA – A bill that would replace the Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission established in 2019 to recommend possible locations for a new airport had a public hearing in the Washington Senate Tuesday.
“The CACC established in 2019, didn't have enough time to do a thorough review of what they set out to accomplish,” co-sponsor Rep. Tom Dent (R-Moses Lake) said in a release from his office. “COVID played a role, but the commission was also lacking adequate resources and did not provide enough outreach and notice to those who could have been impacted.”
The legislation, House Bill 1791, would replace the CACC and appoint a work group to provide a comprehensive look at new and existing airport sites in Washington.
“This new, strong bipartisan piece of legislation is the culmination of hours and hours of work. The new workgroup will involve more stakeholders, take a closer look at environmental and infrastructure considerations, and the strengths and weaknesses of each site,” Dent said.
The bill was first introduced on Feb. 7 and referred to the House Transportation Committee. After a public hearing, it passed the floor 88-9. It moved on to the Senate where it was referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation on March 10, and received a public hearing on Tuesday.
“With the Sea-Tac International Airport having no facilities plan to meet demand forecast beyond 2027, and regional aviation demand forecasted to double by 2050, it is imperative we move forward on addressing our airport and overall transportation needs immediately,” Dent said.
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Connell woman killed in Booker Road crash
CONNELL — Charges are pending against a Kennewick man following a collision about 12 miles south of Othello that killed a Connell woman and injured three other people Tuesday evening. A Washington State Patrol press memo said intoxicating substances were a factor. Jessica Zarate, 37, Connell, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near the intersection of SR 17 and South Booker Road, the WSP memo said. She was driving south on Booker Road approaching the intersection when her car was hit by a pickup driven by John Reiss, 62, Kennewick. Edgar Garcia Quirino, 28, Othello, was driving north on SR 17 and ran into Zarate's car, the WSP memo said. The crash occurred at about 6:40 p.m.
Wheeler Road closed because of traffic collision
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Doors opening: The Currents will provide homeownership for more local workers
About 104 homes are planned at the former Atlas sawmill site
Teachers, nurses, firefighters and other workers who keep Coeur d’Alene running will soon have more places to buy a home in the community where they work. About 104 homes are being planned to be built at Atlas Waterfront, on roughly 10 acres that are part of a swath of land that was once home to the Atlas sawmill and is being redeveloped. Ignite CDA, the city of Coeur d’Alene’s urban renewal agency, is leading this effort.