An Aviation Planning Council recently appointed by Gov. Christine Gregoire will influence Washington state options for airport development, including expanded commercial air service.
Paine Field is a focal point locally in the discussion of adding limited airliner flights to new state airfields. Although the council’s studies and recommendations won’t be completed and sent to the Legislature until July 2009 — in time to impact 2010-11 budget discussions — they are almost certain to impact Snohomish County.
The issues being studied are part of the state’s most comprehensive survey of Washington’s 139 airports, their present condition and potential for future development. The impetus for the lengthy, detailed study, which was launched in 2005, is concern among many state officials that despite the importance of aviation to the Washington economy, the aviation network itself is in danger if changes aren’t made to support it.
According to a recent report by the state Department of Transportation’s aviation division, part of a three-year Long-term Aviation Transportation Study being prepared for submission to the aviation council, the combined forces of benign neglect, inconsistent levels of activity, an antiquated funding base, a fluctuating economy and local land-use conflicts could interact to threaten the entire system.
Other issues revolve around the pressures of rapid growth on the state’s airports, researchers said. Washington population has doubled in the past 30 years to 6.5 million, and another 2 million are expected to be added by 2025, with half of them expected to settle in the Puget Sound area.
Since population increases historically increase aviation activity for business, freight, public safety and recreation, the Federal Aviation Administration predicts a 25 percent increase in total aviation by 2025, a 42 percent increase in commercial operations and a 60 percent increase in business and corporate flying by 2030.
Aviation Planning Council members appointed by the governor to address those aviation issues include:
– Carol Moser of Richland, a member of the Washington Transportation Commission who served on the Richland City Council and the Association of Washington Cities board of directors.
– John Sibold of Arlington, director of aviation for the state Department of Transportation. Retired from Alaska Airlines, he was the director of aviation and marine services for the Port of Bellingham and is a member of the National Association of the State Aviation Officials.
– Juli Wilkerson of Olympia, director of the Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development and previously the director of the city of Tacoma’s economic development department.
– Paul Roberts, Marysville, is the director of public works for the city of Marysville and an Everett City Council member. Previously, he was executive director of the Office of the Snohomish County Executive and director of Everett’s department of planning and community development.
– John Townsley, Okanogan, is a forest silviculturist with the USDA Forest Service, a board member of the Okanogan Legion Airport Improvement Association and a member of the Washington Pilots Association.
– David Field, Bellevue, is a senior consultant with Carter and Burgess, working on airport project development, and recently retired from 40 years with the FAA, where he managed airport planning, programming and capacity studies.
– Neal Sealock, director of Spokane International Airport, is a retired U.S. Army brigadier general with 31 years of active service and a lifetime member of the Army Aviation Association of America.
– James McNamara, Vancouver, a licensed pilot, is on the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board and was an assistant city attorney in Vancouver, Federal Way and Bremerton. He is an adjunct assistant professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
– Donald Garvett, Mercer Island, is the vice president of strategy and corporate development for Alaska Airlines, with more than 35 years of aviation experience.
– Penelope Loomis, Chattaroy, airport manager for Deer Park Municipal Airport, is a member of the American Association of Airport Executives.
For more information, the LATS Phase One report is available online at www.wsdot.wa.gov/aviation.LATS.htm.
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