LAX Foes OK With Hahn Vow

Los Angeles International Airport expansion foes said Wednesday they were satisfied with Mayor James K. Hahn’s response to a letter they sent last month conveying their concern about his new plan to modernize the 40-year-old facility.

A group of federal and local lawmakers had told the mayor they were worried that he would complete his airport plans without consulting residents. They urged him to reconsider pushing ahead with his plan using old environmental studies, completed for predecessor Richard Riordan’s controversial $12-billion expansion plan.

Hahn responded last week to the lawmakers, insisting that previous environmental reports will be adequate. He said the LAX plan, to be released this spring, will emphasize safety and security over growth. It will limit the airport to 78 million passengers a year.

“We’re all very encouraged by the tone and the content of the letter,” said Rep. Jane Harman (D-Venice). The others were: Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles), county Supervisor Don Knabe, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Ruth Galanter, El Segundo Mayor Mike Gordon and Inglewood City Councilman Lawrence A. Kirkley.