Primary Threat
Local landmarks have together been declared one of the “11 Most Endangered Historic Places in America” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and designated a “Last Chance Landscape” by Scenic America. According to these organizations, the primary threat is the expansion and commercialization of the Airport at Hanscom Field, which is located adjacent to these irreplaceable resources (not to be confused with Hanscom Air Force Base, a valued partner to the communities that does not have flight operations). The potential traffic, noise, development, and pollution generated by the airport would overwhelm and permanently change the character of the area and will deprive future generations the experience of visiting, learning from, and enjoying these national landmarks. A number of well-known historians and environmentalists provide compelling arguments for why we need to protect these resources.
Current Luxury Jet Project
The current threat is a project to double the luxury private jet capacity at Hanscom Field. If permitted, this project will greatly increase the jet noise and pollution impacts on the surrounding natural and historic sites. In addition, the resulting increase in jet traffic will contribute hundreds of thousands of tons of greenhouse gasses. The airport is already the largest source of greenhouse gases in the region, producing more than the four surrounding towns put together. At a time when Towns and the Commonwealth have plans to steadily reduce GHG with a target of zero by 2050, jet emissions at Hanscom Field plan to grow without limit. Under the current plans, Luxury Jets at Hanscom Field will exceed the emissions of the entire city of Boston by 2040. These flights are unnecessary: data shows that these private jet flights are for luxury travel to resort destinations by a few wealthy people. These flights are environmentally unjust: a single round trip to Asia generates more GHG than an entire rural family in India produces in their entire lifetimes. These flights make no financial sense: Private Jets do not pay for the true costs of their environmental impacts and benefit from many types of public subsidies, including numerous tax breaks.
Generating Awareness
Save Our Heritage is focused on providing education about the nature of the impacts of this private luxury jet project; we call for a realistic assessment of the costs vs benefits. We build awareness about the impacts on historical and natural resources and the essential conflict of this project with state and local environmental goals. We obtain support from experts and commission independent research, when appropriate, to support public officials and policymakers. We work closely with our elected representatives and town officials. The current focus of these efforts is on the governor, who is the only state official who actually has control over the airport. We coordinate with numerous state and local environmental groups and organize presentations, webinars, and learning events. We bring this issue to the attention of national environmental and historical protection organizations. We serve as the primary resource for community engagement and activism about this threat.
Recent Highlights
New Land addition to Barretts Farm
A Historic Stand Against Private Jet Expansion
Article on Hanscom Expansion Debate
News stories relating to the North Airfield Project
Study Finds Alarming Increase in Private Jet Impacts
Commonwealth Rejects Luxury Jet Hangar Project Draft Environmental Impact Report
About Save Our Heritage
Our Vision: That State and Federal designations are enacted recognizing the historical and environmental significance of this area. To achieve permanent protections for the national historical, cultural, and environmental resources in the Massachusetts towns of Concord, Bedford, Lincoln, and Lexington in order to prevent their gradual degradation by pollution, noise, and development.
Founded in 1997, we have achieved significant success in protecting historical, cultural, and environmental sites. Join us by volunteering or donating to help preserve these treasures.