Home / Environment / Teterboro Airport Expansion Sparks Wetland Fears
Teterboro Airport Expansion Sparks Wetland Fears
29 Jun
Summary
- Expansion plan involves paving 11 acres of wetlands for hangars.
- Environmental groups fear increased flooding and wildlife loss.
- Public comment period for Port Authority project closes soon.
A decade-old plan to expand Teterboro Airport, a vital hub for private aviation near New York City, has resurfaced and is currently under federal and state agency review. The proposed development by Signature Flight Support involves filling approximately 11 acres of wetlands to construct extensive hangar space, aircraft parking aprons, terminals, and access roads.
Environmental groups, however, strongly oppose the plan, citing potential negative impacts on the Meadowlands ecosystem. Critics express concerns that paving wetlands could worsen regional flooding, particularly in light of past severe weather events like Superstorm Sandy, and endanger local wildlife.
Signature Flight Support states that the current proposal has been refined over several years to minimize environmental impact. This includes upgrading the stormwater management system, reducing impervious surfaces, and elevating proposed facilities above flood levels. The company also plans to offset disturbed wetlands through mitigation credits.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is collaborating with Signature Flight Support to prepare a Draft Environmental Assessment. The public has until Monday, June 29, to submit comments on the project. Federal agencies, including the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, are also reviewing the permit application.
