COMMUNITY COMMENTARY:

Did you know more than 950 planes fly out of John Wayne Airport every day?

If you live on the Eastside or in Newport Beach within the flight path, you know how the airport has impacted your quality of life. Planes constantly waking you in the morning or flying overhead during backyard barbecues. In some neighborhoods, you can’t even have a conversation while a plane is overhead.

Imagine what life would be like if more planes left out of JWA as a result of more passengers. Or worse, if the current curfews that prevent planes from leaving before 7 a.m. or after 10 p.m. were removed. Studies show the noise pollution in neighborhoods adjacent to airports may even impact cognitive performance in children. Airplane pollutants and emissions from jet engines also cause damage to the environment.

That’s why I support organizations such as Air Fair and the Airport Working Group (AWG).

Air Fair is a Political Action Committee formed to create a strong and broad citizen force, and is premised on the belief that residents throughout the flight path must unite and actively work together to secure permanent caps, noise limitations and comprehensive curfews. Check the group out at www.jwairfair.com to learn more about its mission and airport operations and the impact airports have.

The AWG is a signatory to the existing agreement governing controls on JWA. AWG has legal authority and takes the responsibility to advocate rights by defending and enforcing the agreement to ensure its continuation in perpetuity. Learn more at www.airportworkinggroup.org.

Although there is a current agreement that prevents JWA from serving more than 10.8 million passengers, that agreement expires in 2015. The trouble is JWA has nearly 10 million passengers now. The pressure to expand is immense. Both organizations are working with public officials, businesses and residents to protect our quality of life not just here in Newport-Mesa, but in the other corridor cities as well.

Air Fair is hosting a reception honoring me for my efforts to prevent the expansion of JWA from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at 307 Colleen Place, Costa Mesa. Residents are invited to attend and learn more about Air Fair, as well as the current status of efforts by both cities to prevent expansion of JWA. RSVP to Melinda Seely at (949) 644-0278 or via e-mail at nbseely@aol.com.

KATRINA FOLEY is a Costa Mesa City Councilwoman. She can be reached at kfoley@ci.costa-mesa.ca.us or (714) 754-5177