The Proposed Airport Expansion Threatens Health and Quality of Life in the Sand Lake Neighborhood and Kincaid Park

Demand Transparency and Sound Science Before Allowing Development to Proceed.

If you love Kincaid Park and/or live in the Sand Lake community, please participate in the public hearing on Tuesday May 30 at 6 pm (details below). Please attend the public hearing on Tuesday May 30 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at the Lakefront Hotel, Lake Spenard Room, 4800 Spenard Rd. If you can’t make it, please submit comments by May 30 with the form below or via phone at 907-931-6350.

NorthLink Aviation, a Manhattan-based investment corporation, is proposing to expand cargo jet facilities on 120 acres of land on the south side of Anchorage International Airport adjacent to the Sand Lake neighborhood and Kincaid Park. The new facility would include aircraft fueling and deicing systems, an aircraft parking apron and taxiways for large cargo jets, a cargo terminal, and other infrastructure within 700 feet of homes. To develop the site, up to 120 acres of trees will be destroyed and covered with pavement.    

State and federal agencies have failed to provide accurate information and transparent communication with Sand Lake homeowners and the general public.

 The development poses a considerable risk of groundwater contamination from fuel spills, PFAS chemicals, and toxic de-icing fluids. Other negative effects include noise pollution from high impact aircraft operations, air pollution from storage and use of jet fuel and glycol in proximity to homes, light pollution directly affecting the neighboring community, increased traffic, reduction in property values, and harm to wildlife. Development of this sensitive area will adversely affect Sand Lake community members’ quality of life and health, as well as visitors and wildlife to Kincaid Park.  

“Is this the kind of environment we want to create for our children and families that live and recreate near Kincaid?” asked Linda Swiss, a Sand Lake resident and member of Alaskans for Ethical Development. She also stated: “We are not against this development; however, we want to see responsible, ethical development supported by sound science and oversight. Ramming a development of this scale in a neighborhood so close to it is not our idea of ‘ethical development.’ Listening to concerns and addressing them is the responsible, good neighbor thing to do.”

State and federal agencies have failed to provide accurate information and transparent communication with Sand Lake homeowners and the general public. Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT) and Alaskans for Ethical Development are calling on NorthLink Aviation, Ted Stevens International Airport, Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to complete a full Environmental Impact Assessment and conduct comprehensive studies concerning noise impacts, hydrology, air pollution, contaminants in soils and groundwater, effects on wildlife, and impacts on recreation in and around Kincaid Park before constructing the airport expansion to ensure ethical, safe and sustainable development of our neighborhoods.  

Elevated levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been detected in surrounding waters and areas including a nearby fire training pit to the west and the former Kulis Air National Guard base to the east of NorthLink Aviation’s leased property. Known as “forever chemicals” because they are extremely persistent, PFAS cause adverse health effects at extremely low exposure levels including kidney and testicular cancers, ulcerative colitis, adverse reproductive health outcomes, low birth weight, liver disease, thyroid disease, elevated cholesterol levels, and immune suppression.

The public review process and preparation of the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) by NorthLink Aviation and their contractors was a sham. The FAA allowed the “fox to watch the hen house” and was poised to approve the project before the public review process was completed. It is wrong to allow the proponent of the development, NorthLink Aviation and their contractors, to drive the public process.  

 It is incumbent upon the FAA to act in the best interest of the community rather than that of the proponent of the development. We believe that a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required to evaluate the proposed project because of the nature, extent, and complexity of the environmental and health issues that so directly affect the Sand Lake community, Kincaid Park, and Anchorage.  

Please attend the public hearing on Tuesday May 30 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at the Lakefront Hotel, Lake Spenard Room, 4800 Spenard Rd. If you can’t make it, please submit comments by May 30 to [email protected]  or via phone at 907-931-6350.

All comments and questions will be shared with the Federal Aviation Administration and Anchorage International Airport. The Environmental Assessment (EA) is available here: https://www.northlinkaviation.com/project   

Here is a link to an Anchorage Daily News Opinion editorial by Sand Lake residents Peter Heninger and Linda Swiss: https://www.adn.com/opinions/2023/05/27/opinion-airport-project-will-adversely-affect-neighbors/