For the week of September 17 - 23, 2003

New airport?
Lost lifestyle?

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Whoa!

Before the Wood River Valley gets caught up in frenzied talk of a large new airport at some distant site, and fantasies of a business boom cloud the judgment of policymakers, the entire community must ponder the full range of consequences.

Not just the $100 million cost mentioned by the Friedman Memorial Airport Authority, but other minuses that come with galloping growth.

The principal objective of a new airport would be to create a larger facility of possibly 1,200 acres versus the present 200-some acres, probably with two runways. The airport would be capable of handling large airline jets to increase the volume of passenger traffic into the valley from more distant cities and with room enough for satellite businesses and industry.

If we correctly sense the airport board’s sympathies, the present Friedman Memorial Airport might also be retained simultaneously for general aviation and corporate jet traffic as well as small non-jet airliners.

Now, what would be the impact on the Wood River Valley of a new airport perhaps six times the size of Friedman Memorial, even if built 20 miles or more south?

Check them off with a shudder.

Increased ground transportation between the airport and populated areas would mean a demand for expanded roads.

More lodging and resort facilities would be needed to handle more tourists.

Pressure would rise to increase allowable development densities on rural lands to build more homes.

Expanded city and county services (water, sewage, schools, police and fire, medical, courts, property assessments and taxation) would be necessary. More vehicles would pump pollution into once-pure air.

Bank on this, too: Eventually, developers on the prowl for more land with scenic views would strong arm Washington to give up public lands to accommodate pricey new homes.

In time, the Wood River Valley would become just another congested population area with the same aggravating problems that plague urban areas. Thus, the ambiance and lifestyle that have been essential to its charm and the allure for those escaping big city tensions will have vanished.

Does Aspen come to mind?

If this is the vision of a nightmare that residents up and down the valley want to avoid, then the proverbial line in the sand must be drawn to preserve the lifestyle of small towns in the mountains.

Otherwise, flinging open the doors to a suffocating growth pattern can only be stopped when every last acre of land has been covered with concrete foundations or with asphalt for roads.

 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.