CAA: GA News, "Runway plan could affect landfill expansion in Watsonville"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxx>]

Saturday, August 10, 2002 

Runway plan could affect landfill expansion in Watsonville 
By KAREN A. DAVIS
The Santa Cruz (CA) Sentinel


A newly completed draft master plan for the Watsonville Airport shows
that a future runway extension would be in conflict with a potential
expansion site for the county's Buena Vista Landfill, airport officials
said.

The county is reviewing a number of possible sites for landfill
expansion, one of which would be adjacent to that existing landfill. 

The airport's new plan and a related environmental report should be
released in two weeks, according to Don French, airport manager. After a
45-day public review period, the City Council will consider approving
the plan and environmental document. If approved, the plan would take
effect immediately through 2020. 

Dan Hernandez and Sylvia Previtali of the citizens group Committee for
Safe School Sites say they have concerns about any potential airport
expansion. They worry about the safety of the school's future sports
facilities, which if built, would be located near the end of the runway.
Still, city officials say such concerns are unfounded. 

"The extension of the airport (runway) actually provides for the
expansion of the school north into the building envelope already
approved by the Coastal Commission," said John Doughty, city development
director. 

The airport's flight path would be changed if the runway were extended,
he said. 

The new high school was reviewed under the airport's old master plan,
which accounted for more aircraft activity than the new plan shows will
occur, French said. 

An environmental review was completed for the new plan. Airport land is
home to a small riparian wetland and to several endangered species,
including the Santa Cruz tar plant, coastal terrace prairie grass and
the popcorn plant, French said. 

Since 1986, the airport has awaited funding approval from the Federal
Aviation Administration for a runway extension and upgrade to instrument
landing system level. An upgrade would increase the number of days each
year the airport could be used by allowing landings under foggy
conditions. However, the $1.5 million needed for such improvements
likely will not be available until next year. A master plan must be in
place so the airport can compete for that funding.


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