Preferred Alternative Summary

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Tacoma Narrows Airport Master Plan Update Preferred Alternative Summary The Preferred Alternative represents Pierce County s vision for the long-term development of the Tacoma Narrows Airport.

1 Tacoma Narrows Airport Master Plan Update Preferred Alternative Summary The Preferred Alternative represents Pierce County s vision for the long-term development of the Tacoma Narrows Airport. This Alternative ensures the development of a safe and efficient airport while taking into account the Airport s role in the community, and its role in Regional and National air transportation systems. Although the Master Plan addresses the development needs for a 20-year time period, updates are often necessary, every 7 to 10 years, as the dynamic conditions of the industry are reflected in activity and future needs. Key features of the Preferred Alternative are described below: Airside Features The relocation of Taxiways A and B4 is included to comply with FAA standards which require, based on the type of aircraft that currently use the airport and the approach minimums, a minimum runway centerline to taxiway centerline separation of 400 feet and the elimination of direct access from parking aprons to the runway, thus reducing runway incursions. The preferred alternative also provides for an alternate grass landing facility to the west of the existing runway, to support general aviation traffic. This landing facility has been requested by many airport users and tenants. Additionally, stormwater improvements are also included in the plan to improve drainage and eliminate direct runoff into the Puget Sound. Airspace Protection for a Long-term Runway Extension An extension of the runway is not currently operationally justified and the Preferred Alternative does not recommend a runway extension within the 20-year planning period. The purpose of including the runway extension in the preferred alternative is to preserve the viability of such an extension, if it were to ever become necessary in the future. Such an extension would require: Extensive justification be presented to the Federal Aviation Administration (for funding). The amendment of the Gig Harbor Peninsula Community Plan, County Code Title 19B. Update to the Airport Master Plan, including a new Public Involvement Process. A detailed Environmental Approval Process. Landside Features Landside improvements on the already developed east side of the property include the redevelopment of facilities where existing structures are beyond or near the end of their useful design life. An aviation-compatible reserve area, an aviation-compatible development area and a gateway development area are also included. On the west side of the property, proposed improvements include a new utility road, a Group I development area for smaller aircraft, an aviation-compatible development area and an area to be converted for non-aeronautical use. June of 2

2 Landside features on the northern property include designation of an aviation-compatible development area, an aviation reserve area and an area to be converted for non-aeronautical use. A gravel utility road to the wooded areas on the north side of the property is also identified. June of 2

3 Tacoma Narrows Airport Master Plan Update Frequently Asked Questions Q: What is a Master Plan? A: An Airport Master Plan is a study used to determine the long-term development plans for an airport. Because air transportation is a vital community facility, it is important that the requirements for new or improved airports be carefully reviewed and that they fit the community. It is also essential to reserve adequate resources to meet identified needs. Airport master planning is a critical tool in determining needs and programming development at individual airports. Q: What value does the airport have for the community? A: Tacoma Narrows Airport is part of the National and Regional systems of air transportation. The airport contributes more than $6.2 million to the regional economy and is an integral part of the community s emergency plan. Many businesses and residents in the area rely on the airport and support its development. The airport is a hub for jobs, supporting an estimated 40 airport based jobs and countless airport related jobs. It supports business activity with easier access to products, markets and clients, as security measures imposed at busy commercial service airports and reduced airline service to smaller communities have detracted from business efficiencies. Other uses include medical transportation for organ transplant, search and rescue, law enforcement, and flight training for future civil and military pilots. Q. How is the airport funded? Does it pay its own way? A: The Tacoma Narrows Airport typically covers its cost to operate and maintain the facilities with incoming revenues. Revenues for the operation of the airport are generated from leased facilities and fuel fees. Capital improvement projects are paid for through Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) grants and Real Estate Excise Tax funds. Since airport projects have been funded through FAA-administered public funds, the County is obligated to maintain and operate the facility safely and efficiently and in accordance with specified conditions. Q: Are you going to extend the runway? A: Based on the aviation activity forecasts, a runway extension is not currently operationally justified in the 20-year planning period. Therefore, the current Master Plan does not recommend a runway extension within the planning period. A significant change in airport activity that would make a runway extension justified within the planning period would warrant a new Master Plan. However, the plan recommends protecting the viability of such an extension so that our community may make a decision on that issue, if an extension is justified in the future. Q: If the runway extension is not justified, why is it being shown? A: The runway extension is shown on the ALP to protect the viability of such an option in 10, 20, or 30 years or possibly longer into the future. The runway extension will not take place unless it June of 3

4 is justified. According to the activity forecasts, the extension will not be justified within the planning period. Q. What criteria is used to justify a runway extension? A. A runway extension is justified when the number of operations (takeoffs and/or landings) by aircraft needing a longer runway exceeds 500 for the year. The Federal Aviation Administration requires that the number of operations requiring the longer runway be documented through aviation activity studies and airport operators letters. Q: A longer runway will mean larger aircraft and more noise. A: The type of aircraft that currently operate at the airport is not forecast to change during the 20-year planning period. If a runway extension were ever justified, it will allow certain aircraft that currently use the airport to operate without reducing their passenger, cargo and/or fuel loads for takeoffs. Because these aircraft are carrying less fuel, they must stop for refueling prior to reaching their final destination. Extending the runway would allow these aircraft to increase their takeoff weight. Increased weight does not equate to greater noise, particularly since today s technology is producing aircraft engines that are much quieter. Q: The Gig Harbor Peninsula Community Plan prohibits a runway extension, why is it not being considered? A: The County acknowledges that the Gig Harbor Peninsula Plan would need to be amended to state the community s support of any runway extension. This would occur only if the runway extension becomes justified in the future. Q: Was the Stone Drive Tunnel built to support and pave the way for a runway extension? A: The tunnel was not built to support an extended runway, but rather it was built to improve the safety of the existing runway. The Stone Drive Tunnel was built to comply with FAA s Runway Safety Area (RSA) requirements. The Runway Safety Area provides a safe recovery area in case an aircraft travels beyond the runway end. The tunnel increases the safety of airport operations and the safety of the public traveling on Stone Drive. If the existing runway were ever to be extended, it would require the tunnel to be expanded to serve a taxiway extension. Thus the tunnel as it exists now would not fulfill the need of an extended runway on its own. Q: Is our tax money funding these airport projects? A: Most airport projects, including this Master Plan, are partially funded (90%) by the FAA. Pierce County is responsible for the local match (10%). In certain cases, Washington State Aviation funds 50% of the local match required by the FAA, reducing the County s local match to 5 percent. Q: Where do the federal funds come from? A: The Airport Improvement Program (AIP) was established by the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 (Public Law ). Since then, the AIP has been amended several times, most recently with the passage of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of Funds obligated for the AIP are drawn from the Airport and Airway Trust fund, which is supported by user fees, fuel taxes, and other similar revenue sources. June of 3

5 Q: Why not prohibit helicopters from using the Airport since they generate the most noise? A: Tacoma Narrows Airport is a public facility that has accepted federal funds and is committed to Federal Grant Assurances. Grant Assurance 22, Economic Nondiscrimination, of the prescribed sponsor assurances, implements the provisions of 49 United States Code (U.S.C.) 47107(a) (1) through (6). Grant Assurance 22(a) requires that the sponsor of a federally obligated airport: will make its airport available as an airport for public use on reasonable terms and without unjust discrimination to all types, kinds, and classes of aeronautical activities. The County continues to coordinate with JBLM (Joint Base Lewis McCord) in order to address and mitigate the helicopter noise. Helicopter noise is also generated by Medevac service providers. These air ambulances provide a vital service to the community. However, due to the nature of their operations, their operation times are not as predictable. Q: What is the purpose of the Grass Runway? A: The Alternative Grass Landing Area (AGLA) is mainly for small and vintage/antique aircraft use. Q. Where do I go for more information about the Master Plan development? A. All Master Plan information, including draft chapters, PAC and Open House presentations, Development Alternatives Exhibits, Project Newsletters, and other associated materials are posted online at the airport s website: For more information, please contact: Deb Wallace, Airport and Ferry Administrator, Pierce County Public Works and Utilities, (253) / dwalla1@co.pierce.wa.us June of 3

6 Tacoma Narrows Airport Master Plan Update Community Outreach Overview Pierce County s commitment to a proactive public involvement program for this study provided a mechanism for ongoing communication between Pierce County, the Tacoma Narrows Airport Advisory Commission (TNAAC), and the airport tenants, users, local citizens, local agency officials, and other stakeholders and interested parties. The following is a summary of the public involvement program for the study: Planning Advisory Committee Meetings: The County established a Planning Advisory Committee (PAC), which was a 22-member committee representing a cross section of the community. These PAC members served as community liaisons and participated in four work sessions during the planning process the study process took place over an estimated 18-month period with draft chapters and work sessions held at study milestones. During the first work session, PAC members discussed airport issues, study goals, and early findings. The next work session covered Inventory and Forecasts, which included an overview of the existing conditions of the airport. The Forecasts presented the anticipated growth in based aircraft and operations at the airport. The third work session reviewed Facility Requirements, where aviation demand was translated to airport facility needs over the next 5, 10 and 20-year time frames. During the fourth work session, the PAC identified and evaluated Development Alternatives, which addressed the facility needs of the Airport through the long-term. These alternatives considered aviation demand and facility improvement needs identified in previous master plan work sessions. Based on a comparative evaluation of the various features in each alternative, the PAC recommended a preferred alternative to Pierce County. Public Information Workshops/Open Houses: The County scheduled five public information workshops/open houses each of the first four followed a PAC meeting held on the same day and included a brief presentation and an opportunity for the public to learn about the plan progress, ask questions, identify concerns, and provide input to the plan development. The Public Information Workshops/ Open Houses held were on January 30, June 5, and September 4, in 2013, and on January 29, and June 11, in Project Newsletters: Three newsletters were published throughout the study process. Each summarized the study progress, were posted online, and made available at the Public June of 2

7 Information Workshops/Open Houses. The newsletters, titled RADAR, The Tacoma Narrows Airport Master Plan Update, are available online at Website: To keep the public informed, the County posted meeting information, public comment sheets, newsletters, draft airport master plan materials, and other pertinent information on their website at In addition to the formal outreach activities Pierce County staff also took community input when they provided numerous presentations at neighborhood associations, civic organizations and other public meetings. A copy of the input can be found on the project website: For more information, please contact: Deb Wallace, Airport and Ferry Administrator, Pierce County Public Works and Utilities, (253) / dwalla1@co.pierce.wa.us June of 2

Appendix D Project Newsletters. Tacoma Narrows Airport. Master Plan Update

Appendix D Project Newsletters Tacoma Narrows Airport Master Plan Update This appendix contains the newsletters distributed throughout the project. These newsletters provided updates and information on