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» HAS Newsroom
Houston Airport System
February 7, 2007
“It takes a village to raise a child.”
That phrase has been ingrained into the mind of American philosophy and at the Houston Airport System (HAS) it is the attitude that continues to place environmental responsibility at the forefront of airport development and construction. Though no children are being raised at the airport system, HAS considers it an obligation to care for the environment – for the benefit of all.
In doing so, Houston’s airports have implemented a series of new initiatives that aim to keep greenery around the airport growing. In fact, just last month HAS celebrated the largest tree-planting in the history of the local region at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). More than 20,000 five-gallon trees were planted at IAH in one day at the event that was organized by Congressman Ted Poe’s Houston Area Freeway Forestation Project.
One of the most notable initiatives inaugurated by the Houston Airport System is the inclusion of hybrid vehicles into the fleet of automobiles used by airport employees. Currently, 25 of these vehicles – 12 Toyota Prius sedans and 13 Ford Escape sport utility vehicles – are already a part of the fleet.
This initiative is part of the City of Houston’s larger plan to replace all traditional vehicles with the more fuel-efficient, environmentally-friendlier hybrids.
In addition, with the construction of a new runway at William P. Hobby Airport already under consideration, a professional service contract has been prepared to provide an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This EIS will evaluate the runway placement options at the airport based on the environmental impact of each.
A final decision about the development will be made based on the input received by the various aviation and non-aviation stakeholders in and around the airport property.
“The bottomline is we have to make the best decision for our community,” says Richard Vacar, director of the Houston Airport System. “Our neighbors and the local aviation industry understand this. They know that the growth of our airports is beneficial to everyone and they support it.”
One other important initiative adopted by HAS is the Forestry Resource Program. Under this program, which was inaugurated in 1997, the lush and voluminous forest greenery around IAH is preserved and protected.
More than 10,000 acres make up the airport property – of these abundant environmental resources an estimated 3,000 acres are densely wooded areas. A private forestry consultant maintains and preserves the ambience.
Since the Forestry Resource Program began, the growth of the wooded areas around the airport has exceeded 3.5 percent annually.
“We are going to continue doing everything we can to maintain the environment,” Vacar concluded.
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