FAA Gives its OK for New Airport
By Valerie Lovett
News Herald Writer 747-5078 / vlovett@pcnh.com
PANAMA CITY, Florida
Bay County's future may have changed dramatically Friday with the Federal Aviation Administration's approval of plans to relocate the Panama City-Bay County International Airport to a 4,000-acre site at West Bay. The FAA's record of decision, or ROD, is the final nod needed to make the Airport Authority eligible for federal Airport Improvement Program funds that would help pay for the about $300 million project.
The ruling - the biggest mile- stone to date - comes eight years after the relocation project was first proposed and follows an intensive period of impact studies conducted by the FAA, said Airport Authority Executive Director Randy Curtis. "One of the key things to note is the FAA's analysis was done independent of the Airport Authority," Curtis said. "We had completed feasibility studies back then about relocating the airport, and now the FAA's in-depth analysis on an independent basis reaches the same conclusion."
Friday's decision spurred a slew of reactions from various groups, both lauding and condemning the move. The Airport Authority, Economic Development Alliance, Tourist Development Council, chambers of commerce and various area politicians - including state House Speaker Allan Bense, R-Panama City, and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, DFla. - were among those issuing statements praising the FAA's decision. "With this huge step forward, our area is poised for significantly improved air service," Bense said. "That may seem like just a small convenience for Panama City residents and visitors, but it holds the much larger promise of a brighter economic future for our region."
But the decision drew criticism from a national environmental group, the Natural Resources Defense Council, who said the FAA "defied common sense." "The FAA plan would fleece taxpayers to build an airport to nowhere," said NRDC attorney Melanie Sheperdson. "Given that traffic at the current airport has dropped dramatically, there's no demand for this new one, which would destroy nearly 2,000 acres of wetlands." Curtis said the statement was misleading, as bigger planes carrying more passengers account for fewer flights. The nonprofit group lists the region as one of 12 most endangered natural places in America and views the airport as the first step toward massive development. The St. Joe Co. donated 4,000 acres for the new airport and expects the project to trigger development in the region, increasing the value of its vast landholdings, the NRDC news release stated.
Airport Authority Chairman Joe Tannehill said the issue has been mischaracterized by out-of-town groups. "Those who say Bay County doesn't need a new airport are simply wrong," Tannehill said. "Planning for the airport has proceeded with support from many local environmentalists, and our airport project is nearing completion of one of the most rigorous environmental permitting processes ever." The FAA's study noted that the airport's impacts to wetlands would be mitigated by the enhancement and conservation of habitats and wetlands on some 10,000 acres near West Bay that St. Joe has offered to donate for that purpose. Proponents of the airport relocation view the preservation area as proof that economic development and environmental protection can coexist. "Right now where we're at is an airport to nowhere," Tannehill said. "That's what we've got. If (opponents) are saying we don't need a new airport, they're saying we don't need an airport at all."
The FAA and Florida Department of Transportation are expected to grant about $100 million each toward the project, and the remainder of the funding will come from Airport Authority bonds, cash reserves and the sale of the current airport site.
The ROD does not mean the airport relocation is a done deal, Tannehill said, as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permits for filling wetlands and financing are the final hurdles. "We've still got a lot of work to do," he said. Assuming everything goes smoothly, construction could begin on the project as soon as the beginning of the year.
It would be the nation's first new airport since Sept. 11, 2001.
By Valerie Lovett
News Herald Writer 747-5078 / vlovett@pcnh.com
PANAMA CITY, Florida
Bay County's future may have changed dramatically Friday with the Federal Aviation Administration's approval of plans to relocate the Panama City-Bay County International Airport to a 4,000-acre site at West Bay. The FAA's record of decision, or ROD, is the final nod needed to make the Airport Authority eligible for federal Airport Improvement Program funds that would help pay for the about $300 million project.
The ruling - the biggest mile- stone to date - comes eight years after the relocation project was first proposed and follows an intensive period of impact studies conducted by the FAA, said Airport Authority Executive Director Randy Curtis. "One of the key things to note is the FAA's analysis was done independent of the Airport Authority," Curtis said. "We had completed feasibility studies back then about relocating the airport, and now the FAA's in-depth analysis on an independent basis reaches the same conclusion."
Friday's decision spurred a slew of reactions from various groups, both lauding and condemning the move. The Airport Authority, Economic Development Alliance, Tourist Development Council, chambers of commerce and various area politicians - including state House Speaker Allan Bense, R-Panama City, and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, DFla. - were among those issuing statements praising the FAA's decision. "With this huge step forward, our area is poised for significantly improved air service," Bense said. "That may seem like just a small convenience for Panama City residents and visitors, but it holds the much larger promise of a brighter economic future for our region."
But the decision drew criticism from a national environmental group, the Natural Resources Defense Council, who said the FAA "defied common sense." "The FAA plan would fleece taxpayers to build an airport to nowhere," said NRDC attorney Melanie Sheperdson. "Given that traffic at the current airport has dropped dramatically, there's no demand for this new one, which would destroy nearly 2,000 acres of wetlands." Curtis said the statement was misleading, as bigger planes carrying more passengers account for fewer flights. The nonprofit group lists the region as one of 12 most endangered natural places in America and views the airport as the first step toward massive development. The St. Joe Co. donated 4,000 acres for the new airport and expects the project to trigger development in the region, increasing the value of its vast landholdings, the NRDC news release stated.
Airport Authority Chairman Joe Tannehill said the issue has been mischaracterized by out-of-town groups. "Those who say Bay County doesn't need a new airport are simply wrong," Tannehill said. "Planning for the airport has proceeded with support from many local environmentalists, and our airport project is nearing completion of one of the most rigorous environmental permitting processes ever." The FAA's study noted that the airport's impacts to wetlands would be mitigated by the enhancement and conservation of habitats and wetlands on some 10,000 acres near West Bay that St. Joe has offered to donate for that purpose. Proponents of the airport relocation view the preservation area as proof that economic development and environmental protection can coexist. "Right now where we're at is an airport to nowhere," Tannehill said. "That's what we've got. If (opponents) are saying we don't need a new airport, they're saying we don't need an airport at all."
The FAA and Florida Department of Transportation are expected to grant about $100 million each toward the project, and the remainder of the funding will come from Airport Authority bonds, cash reserves and the sale of the current airport site.
The ROD does not mean the airport relocation is a done deal, Tannehill said, as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permits for filling wetlands and financing are the final hurdles. "We've still got a lot of work to do," he said. Assuming everything goes smoothly, construction could begin on the project as soon as the beginning of the year.
It would be the nation's first new airport since Sept. 11, 2001.
You kill me......
