HomeMy Public PortalAbout2019 Response to Diane on EA 8.22.19 for Mayor Aymon signatureAugust 27, 2019
Diane Stilson, P.E.
Environmental Protection Specialist
FAA, Helena Airports District Office
2725 Skyway Drive, Suite 2
Helena, MT 59602
RE: McCALL MUNICIPAL AIRPORT – PARALLEL TAXIWAY RELOCATION JUSTIFICATION
Dear Ms. Stilson,
Our Consultant recently finished a draft of the Pre-Design Planning Report (Report) for the parallel taxiway relocation project and transmitted it to Scott Eaton. In summary, the Report
conclusively determined that the Design (Critical) Airport Reference Code (ARC) for the McCall Municipal Airport is currently, and is expected to continue to be, ARC B-II Large throughout
the planning period.
As you are aware, this differs from the current 2010 Airport Master Plan which determined that the future ARC for the airport would move to C-II Large. During this current study we found
no justification for increasing the ARC due to either USFS firefighting activity or from larger private aircraft. The 2010 Airport Master Plan anticipated burgeoning commercial service
into McCall, which has not materialized. Without a doubt, photographic evidence collected by the airport shows that a preponderance of the traffic being Approach Category “A” - Group
I aircraft with enough Approach Category B - Group II, Large (>12,500 pounds) aircraft to easily position the airport into the B-II Large ARC. The report explains these details in the
Forecast Chapter.
Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSIs) were issued based on the analysis in a 2011 Environmental Assessment (EA) and 2012 supplemental EA. These EAs studied the impacts and requirements
of removing the non-standard parallel taxiway and locating the replacement taxiway at a separation of 300 feet from Runway 16-34. Based on the results in the current Report, a 300-foot
separation is still recommended. Although a 300-foot separation is one step up from the ARC B-II design standard, it effectively protects the City and FAA investment in the relocated
parallel taxiway should an unforeseen need arise to increase the ARC to Category “C”. Both Gary Gates and Scott Eaton of the FAA have agreed with the justification to exceed ARC B-II
design standard and construct the parallel taxiway at a 300-foot separation.
Therefore, the Proposed Action for improvements to the McCall Municipal Airport to meet FAA standards and guidelines has not changed from the Proposed Action that was analyzed in the
2011 EA and 2012 supplemental EA. The City of McCall has continued to work towards remedying the non-standard parallel taxiway condition since the issuance of the FONSIs in 2011 and
2012. These efforts include land acquisition, planning, project formulation and securing project funding.
Significant progress has been made during this time to accomplish the original Proposed Action. The City of McCall took action to acquire the land needed for improvements described in
the 2011 and 2012 EAs via condemnation and legal action and completed this acquisition in 2018. FAA AIP grants 3-16-0023-024-2018 and 3-16-0023-025-2018 were issued to reimburse the
Sponsor for land acquisition evaluated in the 2011 and 2012 EAs. Current planning efforts were undertaken to re-evaluate the findings of the 2010 Airport Master Plan and concluded that
although an ARC C-II is not needed at this time, protecting this possibility in the future and exceeding B-II standards is warranted and justified. Therefore, it is deemed solid planning
to continue with the Proposed Action evaluated in the 2011 and 2012 EAs.
The Sponsor now seeks to continue actions to remedy the non-standard parallel taxiway and proceed with accomplishing the Proposed Action to construct a parallel taxiway at a 300-foot
separation.
Keeping the local pilots in the loop is a priority, and they will be invited to a special meeting/hearing in combination with the next Airport Advisory Committee (October) for a full
briefing.
If you have any questions concerning the findings of the Pre-Design Planning Report or of the ongoing project actions taken by the City of McCall, please do not hesitate to contact myself
or T-O Engineers.
Thank you for the continued support the FAA and, specifically, the Helena ADO has provided the City during for this project.
Sincerely,
Jackie J. Aymon
Mayor