Port of Oakland, City of Alameda, C.L.A.S.S. and Berkeley K.J.O.B.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday November 14, 2001
***JOINT PRESS RELEASE***JOINT PRESS RELEASE***
Media Contact: Marilyn Sandifur
510.627.1193
msandifur@portoakland.com
OAKLAND, Calif. - Nov. 14, 2001 - Today the Port of Oakland, the City of Alameda, The Citizens League for Airport Safety and Serenity (CLASS) and Berkeley Keep Jets over the Bay Committee (KJOB) announced a significant agreement which partially resolves the controversial issues surrounding expansion of Oakland International Airport.
The Agreement allows the Port to proceed with its approval plan for:
Security checkpoint improvements
Five additional gates in Terminal 2
Two additional gates in Terminal 1
A parking structure and a parking lot
Apron space for parking aircraft
Relocation of rental car facilities
An additional curbside lane for arriving and departing passengers
Port of Oakland Executive Director Tay Yoshitani stated: "This agreement allows the Port to proceed with very important projects at Oakland Airport which will increase security for passengers and allow the Port to comply with new FAA security requirements. The pending litigation still places a significant cloud over many other components of our airport development program and this does not resolve our differences. However, the agreement calls for commencement of another round of discussions."
The Agreement also:
Establishes restrictions on changes to North Field runways, which could facilitate jet departures over Alameda;
Reconfirms provisions of a 1976 agreement with Alameda preventing jet departures from North Field over Alameda except in emergency circumstances or when Runway 11/29 is closed for maintenance;
Limits the use of four aircraft parking spaces in the new Apron space to unscheduled passenger flights and a maximum of 20 days of cargo use;
Limits the length of any potential expansion of Runway 11/29;
Establishes a permanent committee made of representatives of Alameda, CLASS and KJOB, which will have access to Port planning on Airport projects and the right to meet with Port Commissioners to discuss such projects.
Alameda Mayor Ralph Appezzato said: "Alameda and its citizens have been concerned about Oakland Airport expansion for many years because of noise and other impacts in our community. We are very pleased with the terms of the Agreement and the protections it provides our community. We look forward to the next round of discussions. If successful we can settle our pending lawsuits and move to a new era of communication and cooperation with the Port."
Barbara Tuleja, President of CLASS stated: "We've worked long and hard to get to this point. We have always said that our goal was not to stop expansion of the Airport but to ensure that it would not harm our members and the residents of Alameda. Today's agreement is a significant first step in providing the protections we need and in developing a new positive relationship with the Port."
Berkeley Keep Jets Over the Bay attorney John Shordike stated: "This agreement is a positive step for Berkeley residents. We look forward to the next round of negotiations which will further address jet noise and safety issues in this new era of cooperation between the Port and the Berkeley community."
Copies of the Agreement are available from the Port of Oakland and City Attorney's Office in Alameda. For Further information contact Port Attorney David Alexander, (510-627-1241), Port Director of Aviation Steven Grossman (510-627-1127), Alameda Assistant City Manager Rob Wonder (510-748-4505), Clement Shute esq. at 415-552-7272 (CLASS attorney).
