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Panel nixes new Portland airport Task force cites 'considerable challenges' The Associated Press PORTLAND -- A university panel has grounded the idea of building a new airport to offset increased traffic expected 20 years from now at Portland International Airport. In a draft report, the Portland State University task force on airport growth also ruled out expanding the Hillsboro Airport, saying it would cost too much to divert only a small percentage of traffic from the main airport. The task force is expected to finalize its report on Tuesday before presenting its conclusions to the Port of Portland. The Port asked the panel to research alternatives for handling airport growth before it completed its Master Plan for 2020, on hold for two years. Like other U.S. airports Portland is required to file a master plan for every five, 10 and 20 years with the Federal Aviation Administration. The 16-member task force, assembled by Ethan Seltzer of the university's Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies, summoned a string of experts last September to work on the report. The panel, which included government and environmental representatives, was charged with considering a number of issues including the relocation of an airport in the Willamette Valley and southern Washington state. The 10-page draft report concluded that the moderate growth forecast fits with continued regional growth and personal income increases. But Chris Hagerbaumer, air and transportation program director for the Oregon Environmental Council, wants to add that the committee lacked time and expert help to analyze the growth rate. As for other alternatives to the Port's inclination to build a second terminal and eventually a third main runway, the draft report says the timing is not right to plan a 10,000-acre airport. And a new airport would face "considerable challenges." But the report goes on to say that the existing airport, with only 3,000 acres, needs more land than is available. However, the report continues that regardless of size, a new regional airport "will clearly need to be located outside of any existing urban growth boundary or urban growth area on either side of the Columbia (River)." Siting such an airport in Oregon would require a change in state land-use laws, but those same laws could keep large tracts intact "for the indefinite future." For the next step, the draft report minces no words: "The Port should not expect to seek a site for a new airport at this point in time." Other points in the draft report: High-speed rail to Seattle is not an option, but more regular train service might reduce air travel and traffic on Interstate 5. Military units need to stay in the Portland area and should not be transferred to Klamath Falls. The cost of moving the military units to make room for a new airline terminal and runway is estimated at $310 million. The Port should develop a watchdog forum to enforce the task force's findings. The report calls on the Port to pursue and study noise, air quality, access to the airport and water quality. It also calls for the Port to continue land acquisitions, make improvements to facilities and roads, and protect "the investment already made at the airport." Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA