Seacoast residents deserve the facts from the developers of the Pease Cargo Hub and the Pease Development Authority (PDA). They are simply providing vague generalities trying to reassure us. Don’t be fooled. 

"Grossly Exaggerated" Predictions About Pease Cargo?

In response to a Letter to the Editor published on Seacoastonline on March 15, 2022 by Mr Kane and Mr. Stebbins, we, the Seacoast residents, are not convinced. We deserve more information regarding the proposed multimodal Cargo facilities at Pease Tradeport. The authors are the developers promoting the Cargo facilities – the very people who will benefit the most by the proposed expansion of cargo operations at Pease. They stated that the Seacoast residents who oppose the development have made overwrought predictions "which are either grossly exaggerated or are simply not correct." And yet, their letter fails to provide us any tangible updates about the Cargo project. Where are the facts?

The Kane/Stebbins letter to the editor is lacking in actual facts. They say, “there is an FAA requirement that this real estate [Pease] must be developed with some varying degree of aviation use.” This premise is false, leading the reader to believe that the only suitable development for this land is aviation. It is misleading at best. At worst, it is deceptive. The PDA can always apply to the FAA to release airport property for non-airport use (e.g., an office building) and it does so on a regular basis.

The developers say, "now that the process has begun, we feel it is important to communicate our findings to-date with our fellow Seacoast community members." By all means, please share the findings, rather than grandiosely providing broad reassurances and generalizations. We would welcome direct communications that respond to our questions.

Experienced developers create customary base cases for purposes of investigating and conducting due diligence on intended projects such as the proposed cargo hub project. What does the base case say about the number of daily flights that will be added, and how many will land or take off between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.? These are facts that should be shared with the public.

We know from the developers' January presentation to the PDA Board that there are approximately 23 prospective end-users identified. Of the end-users on this list, which ones present the "worst case" for Seacoast residents in terms of nighttime flights (e.g., Amazon, FedEx, UPS, all of which rely on nighttime flights for next-day delivery)?

The March 15th letter also stated that all cargo aircraft will be Stage 4 ("currently the most stringent regulated standard for aircraft noise ...used by Allegiant and the Air National Guard"). "We [developers] know now that we will only permit Stage 4 aircraft to be a part of .... these projects". This is a bold statement. Developers do not have the authority to enter into a legally binding commitment to "only permit Stage 4 aircraft"? The authors’ statement misleads the reader into thinking that permitting Stage 4 aircraft is within their control. Seacoast residents should not be convinced.

Let’s be honest, Stage 4 aircraft are not a blessing, especially for residents who currently live under the flight paths and hear the Air National Guard's Boeing KC-46A Pegasus. The increased number of daily and nocturnal flights will exacerbate residents' already daily discomfort and likely long-term medical issues even if the planes are Stage 4 compliant. According to an August 20, 2020, report from the U.S. Government Accounting Office (GAO-20-661) a rule prohibiting airlines from operating Stage 3-compliant jets [in other words, requiring Stage 4] would “provide little noise reductions and limited other benefits.”!!

The authors also state that, "…we want to be clear on one point: This project will not become a major air cargo operation like the ones you see in large cities such as Boston or other air cargo hubs." This is yet another bold statement. How exactly will the Pease project be different, and what assurances will be given to ensure there will be no "mission creep" after the initial operations commence? Developers do not control the results of the proposed Cargo Hub project. The ability to give these assurances and provide future approvals resides entirely with the PDA, and the voluntary restrictions they impose today may be changed tomorrow. Residents should not feel reassured.

The developers claim that their project will “dramatically” improve the quality of water entering the aquifer, because they will be adding stormwater management features to the site. These features are not a gift from the developers but are requirements for any large development project. Further, how will their plan correlate with the wastewater remediation investigation currently being conducted by the Air Force in coordination with the NH Department of Environment Services, which is planned for completion in late 2022?

On the question of traffic impacts, the developers say they’ve “worked with the PDA and neighboring communities to develop a traffic study”. Where are these studies? Have the neighboring communities received copies of these studies? Shouldn't traffic impacts be studied by the Department of Transportation as part of a larger environmental study to be conducted by the FAA, the authority responsible for such investigations? It is unacceptable that the developers conduct their own traffic study, when they have a vested interest in the outcome of this study. They naturally will not be impartial.

Seacoast residents want answers from the PDA and from the developers who say it is "important to communicate” with us. Let’s demonstrate the importance we place on our environment and require access to accurate and frequent updates on the proposed cargo hub at Pease.

Please sign the Change.org petition at :

https://www.change.org/WhyPeaseCargoHubNHSeacoast .

Mrs. Dania Seiglie
Rye Resident

Mrs. Dudley Dudley
Durham Resident