To the editor:

There is understandable confusion concerning the recent development possibilities at the Lawrence Municipal Airport by DAR Corp. The airport is already city property and, as such, is zoned and platted for future aviation-based industry. The proposed engineering study will look at bringing municipal water and sewer to the airport. The extension of city infrastructure to support growth at the airport has great possibility to increase Lawrence’s job base and tax revenues.

It is imperative to state the difference between nonspeculative aviation-based industrial development at the airport, such as DAR Corp., and speculative industrial development on the Capability Class 1 and 2 soils that surround the airport. These two proposals both contain “airport” in their titles, but only DAR Corp. will be at the airport.

Offering objective, scientific data concerning the importance, rarity and concentration of the soils that surround the airport has been my focus for the past 18 months or more. At the same time, it has been my intention to make it clear that preservation of these soils and well-planned industrial development are not mutually exclusive.

I remain convinced that good planning will prevail. Our officials will be able to find the common ground to grow a vital aviation industry at the airport and retain the future potential for our regional sustainable, local food system by preserving our Class 1 and 2 soils. Innovative, hard work now will afford us a future that values and recognizes both for their economic development potential.

Barbara Clark,

Lawrence