To date, signatures gathered have reached close to 400.
According to the petition, the project entails the construction of a parking space for airplanes and the installation of a new fuel tank.
The residents are concerned about noise pollution, land tremors due to airplanes taking off and landing, fuel tank proximity and emergency action during a spill or accidental explosion.
The petition said those that will be affected by the project will be residents of newly built homes and families in Ngerusar.
In previous meetings with the residents, airport authorities assured that a boundary fence will be erected 100 feet from the lease boundaries, the petition stated.
“We were all in agreement that this project is a necessity and are equally elated that our leaders have such a positive outlook on our economic future and are hopeful that it will be realized and eagerly await day,” the petition added.
The petitioners, however, saidthe agreement that a fence will be constructed has not been included in the project plan.
Contractors have been asked to level out the hill that was supposed to serve as a sound barrier to help drown out the pollution, the petition stated.
It added that residents will have a clear line of sight with the airport terminal, which means that all the airplanes will be visible.
“The noise pollution and land tremors will surely double if not triple when the project starts due to heavy machinery and ultimately when the apron begins operation. How will we deal with this, how will this affect the lands surrounding the apron?” the petitioners asked.
