State Attorney General Xavier Becerra has sued the Federal Aviation Administration, San Bernardino International Airport Authority and Hillwood Enterprises over the recent approval of a massive air cargo logistics center currently under construction at the former Norton Air Force Base.
Joined at Indian Springs High Friday, Feb. 21, by local labor and environmental advocates, Becerra said that throughout the approval process, the three agencies ignored the significant health risks a nearly 660,000-square-foot sorting facility for around-the-clock air and ground cargo operations would pose to the surrounding community.
The FAA approved the Eastgate project late last year.
“This large airport expansion project will have a significant impact on the local community and families who call this area home,” Becerra said. “These families are already disproportionately burdened by pollution. … In California, we can’t have business as usual hurt distressed communities in our state. We have a responsibility to provide justice, including environmental justice, to all of California’s communities.
“None of us,” Becerra continued, “whether the California Department of Justice, the FAA, the San Bernardino Airport Authority or the developer of the project have the right to turn their backs on the families in this area, nor can we turn our backs on the rule of law.”
Set for a 101-acre lot west of Victoria Avenue and south of Third Street, the Eastgate project is expected to provide about 4,000 jobs and generate millions of dollars within five years, airport officials have said.
When the facility opens, as many as 12 flights are expected each day, with that figure increasing to 26 by 2025.
Amazon is a rumored tenant.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
