Beverly Airport

Tue Sep 10 2024

Beverly Regional Airport, located in Beverly, Massachusetts, has a long and storied history dating back to its inception in 1928. Over the decades, it has evolved from a small municipal airfield into a significant regional transportation hub. The history of Beverly Airport intertwines with broader themes such as aviation innovation, military usage, and, in more recent years, environmental and community concerns.

History of Beverly Airport

- Early History (1928-1940s)

Initially, Beverly Airport was founded to serve the aviation needs of the local community. With the rise of aviation in the early 20th century, many towns and cities began establishing small municipal airports. During the early years, the airport was primarily used for private flying, flight training, and small-scale commercial operations.

However, its strategic location near Boston soon made it a crucial site during World War II.

In 1942, the US Navy took control of Beverly Airport for military training purposes. It became a satellite base for training pilots and was known as "Naval Auxiliary Air Facility Beverly" during the war. This military use marked a turning point, as the airport's infrastructure expanded, and its role became much more significant. After the war, the airport returned to civilian control, but the growth during this period laid the foundation for its post-war development.

- Post-War Growth and Expansion (1950s-1980s)

After World War II, Beverly Airport resumed its civilian operations but had grown in both size and capability. It attracted corporate aviation, charter services, and flight schools. During the 1950s-1980s, Beverly Airport experienced steady growth as general aviation became more popular. Local businesses utilized the airport for corporate flights, and aviation enthusiasts and private pilots found it an accessible and well-equipped facility.

However, this growth was not without environmental and community impacts. As air traffic increased, so did noise pollution, especially for the surrounding communities in Beverly and neighboring towns like Danvers and Wenham. Complaints about aircraft noise became common, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s when jet aircraft began flying more regularly from the airport.

- Environmental Concerns (1990s-Present)

In the 1990s, environmental awareness increased significantly, and airports across the country, including Beverly, came under scrutiny for their environmental impacts. Some of the key concerns related to Beverly Airport include:

Noise Pollution: Aircraft noise, especially from low-flying planes, continued to be a major concern for residents living near the airport. This led to efforts to impose restrictions on flight paths and operational hours to mitigate the impact on local communities, with limited success. As with other examples, altitude restrictions and voluntary noise curfews did not yield much in terms of results.

A formal noise complaint system, introduced in the 2000s, has faced significant criticism for its lack of effectiveness. Many residents feel it does little to address their concerns, contributing to a broader sense of frustration and powerlessness in dealing with the airport's persistent noise issues.

Air Quality: The use of leaded aviation fuel (avgas), which is commonly used in piston-engine aircraft, raised concerns about air quality and lead contamination. Communities near airports, including Beverly, have raised alarms about the potential health impacts of lead exposure from aviation sources.

Land Use and Environmental Impact: The airport's location in proximity to wetlands and conservation areas raised concerns about its environmental footprint. Expansions of airport facilities, new hangars, and runways sometimes sparked opposition from environmental groups and local residents who wanted to protect open spaces and natural habitats around the airport.

- Environmental Action on Leaded Fuel

The use of leaded fuel, particularly avgas (aviation gasoline), at Beverly Regional Airport has been a longstanding environmental concern, reflecting broader issues in the general aviation industry. Avgas, used in most piston-engine aircraft, contains tetraethyl lead, a toxic substance phased out from automobile gasoline decades ago but still prevalent in aviation fuel. This has raised serious questions about the health and environmental impacts, especially in communities near airports like Beverly.

Leaded avgas is the largest single source of airborne lead emissions in the United States. Exposure to lead, even at low levels, can lead to severe health issues, including neurological damage, developmental problems in children, and cardiovascular issues in adults. Lead particles released from aircraft engines are dispersed into the air and settle in nearby soil and water, posing long-term contamination risks.

. Lead poisoning in children

At Beverly Airport, the proximity of residential areas and schools has amplified concerns about lead exposure. Environmental groups and residents have raised alarms over the potential for elevated lead levels in the surrounding air and soil, particularly with repeated exposure due to the airport’s regular flight activity. Children are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning, making this an even more urgent issue for families living near the airport.

In response to community concerns, several studies have been conducted to assess the extent of lead pollution around Beverly Airport. These studies have generally confirmed that lead emissions from aircraft are a significant contributor to local airborne lead levels, though pinpointing the exact exposure risks remains challenging due to the nature of atmospheric dispersion.

Ongoing Community Engagement and Advocacy

Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, community advocacy played an important role in shaping Beverly Airport's environmental and operational policies. Several grassroots organizations and neighborhood associations have worked to hold the airport accountable for its environmental impacts.

Formation of Neighborhood Associations: Local residents formed groups to organize around noise pollution, land use, and environmental quality issues related to Beverly Airport. These groups have worked to keep pressure on the airport administration and local government, advocating for tighter restrictions on flights, operational hours, and expansion projects. Check out our live map to find local groups.

Political and Legal Action: In some cases, community groups have taken legal action to prevent airport expansion projects or enforce stricter environmental regulations. Local elected officials have also been involved in advocating for the concerns of their constituents, working with the FAA and the airport to find solutions, with no success.

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