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Airport Neighbors Alliance Records

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-0002

Scope and Contents

The ANA collection contains organizational records, research materials, plans, reports and studies related to New Mexico and National airport area planning and airport-generated accidents, environmental and noise pollution. The collection includes agendas, articles, brochures, budgets, bylaws correspondence, court documents, e-mails, faxes, hearing transcripts, legal records, legislation, maps, memos, newspaper clippings, notes, newsletters, pamphlets, press releases, proposals, resolutions, reports, and studies. ANA is organized into three series: Organization History & Activities, Research, and Plans, Reports & Studies. All series are organized alphabetically.

Airport Neighbors Alliance – Organization History & Activities

This series provides the context for the ANA collection. It chronicles the development of the organization and its activities that include using mailings to inform members of airport related issues, contacting and discussing airport problems with elected city and federal officials, Federal Aviation Administration officials, citizens groups, city planners, and military personnel, and organizing campaigns against airport noise and for environmental studies of impact. Additionally, ANA members served on a variety of external committees, such as the citizen advisory transportation planning groups of Albuquerque and the Middle Rio Grande Council of Governments, in order to voice airport concerns. The collection’s greatest value lies in these community efforts to protect Albuquerque residents affected by noise and air pollution. ANA is an example of a grassroots organization based on homeownership and small business rights. The records include meeting agendas, minutes, correspondence ANA’s newsletter “Airport Daily Noise,” and legal files related to Airport Neighbors Alliance Inc., v. U.S. Court of Appeals Tenth Circuit a lawsuit filed by ANA in December of 1994 in order to prevent the expansion of Runway 3-21 (Oriented SW/NE) until the Aviation Department agreed to conduct a full Environmental Impact Statement.

Research

ANA broadly researched federal, state, and city policies that would ensure the safe development of airports, rules, and ordinances dealing with air quality and noise, and local and national aviation transportation issues. Specifically, the organization collected materials on federal legislation pertaining to airport noise, such as the Quiet Communities Act of 1997, newly formed organizations nationwide with similar aims like the Citizens Aviation Watch, and kept records of the City of Albuquerque’s Aviation Department public meetings and hearings. Additionally, ANA collected data on the health effects of noise pollution, and the use of Albuquerque police helicopters, and Kirtland military aircrafts. Materials include articles, legislation, maps, newspaper clippings, newsletters, news releases, and hearing transcripts.

Plans, Reports & Studies

This series is composed of plans, reports, and studies mainly related to the development of the Albuquerque International Sunport Airport. The Master Plan set the course for expansion expenditures for the airport for ten years and ANA desired to have their ideas regarding airport expansion incorporated. ANA members attended the city’s Aviation Department’s Master Plans meetings, workshops, and hearings in order to respond to airport issues.

Dates

  • 1957-2009
  • Majority of material found within 1992-2002

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

None

Conditions Governing Use

Limited duplication allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Biographical / Historical

In 1990, a coalition of ten neighborhood associations gathered together in an effort to protect these neighborhoods from airplane noise. They formalized a group in response to the rerouting of air traffic over SE Heights and Four Hills neighborhoods north of the Albuquerque International Sunport Airport. From these beginnings emerged the Airport Neighbors Alliance (ANA), a non-profit community organization located in Albuquerque, New Mexico and formed in 1993. ANA addressed environmental and noise concerns related to the development of the Albuquerque Sunport International Airport. ANA’s bylaws state their purpose as “to represent the interests and protect the rights of Albuquerque area residents affected by the policies and operations of the city’s Aviation Department and all air traffic operations affecting the city.” The organization researched and monitored aviation and its related policies, plans, and regulations, promoted public discussions around air pollution and noise, and proposed solutions to aviation issues to Albuquerqueans and government officials.

Extent

6 Linear Feet

6 boxes ( 6 cu. ft. )

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection contains the organizational history, activities, and research of the Airport Neighbors Alliance (ANA), a non-profit community organization located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The research materials include information about community organizing and advocacy in order to address environmental and noise concerns related to the development of the Albuquerque International Sunport Airport.

Arrangement

3 series:

Series I: Airport Neighbors Alliance – Organization History & Activities

Series II: Research

Series III: Plans, Reports & Studies

Processing Information

Newspaper clippings have not been photocopied, but are isolated within folders. Faxes and other materials produced on thermal paper have been photocopied. Oversized maps have been foldered. Paperclips, staples, and comb binding were left within the collection. The collection contains an oral history on compact cassette and a cassette deck is needed to listen to the interview.
Title
Inventory of the Airport Neighbors Alliance Records, 1957- 2009 (1992-2002 bulk)
Status
Edited Full Draft
Author
Jordan Biro
Date
© 2015
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English
Sponsor
Funding provided by: Special Collections Library Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Library and the American Historical Association – Mellon Fellowship for Career Diversity and the History Ph.D., University of New Mexico

Repository Details

Part of the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Special Collections Library Repository

Contact:
Special Collections Library
The Public Library, Albuquerque and Bernalillo County
423 Central Ave NE
Albuquerque NM 87102 USA
505.848.1376