Borough plans Willow meeting to discuss aviation planning

The Mat-Su Borough is looking at growth and safety of all the Borough’s airports. The Borough wants to determine how to encourage aviation, promote aviation safety and compatible development.

There will be a public meeting Monday, March 26th, in Willow for all residents interested in commenting on, and obtaining information on, the propsed Borough’s Regional Aviation System Plan.

Brad Sworts, the Mat-Su Borough Transportation and Environmental Manager, says the purpose of this very large project is to try and get a handle on all the airports in the Borough and prioritize which ones need improvement. He believes that the Borough has the densest grouping of airports of any area in the United States. Only two-thirds of these are registered with the FAA.

The Regional Aviation System Plan, otherwise known as RASP, includes locating all airports, both on land and areas where float planes land; identifying future commercial float plane centers; updating the Borough website so it lists each airport, even the very smallest, so that future land owners know in advance if they are buying property adjacent to an airport and how large it may be.

Sworts says that their website has a survey for all residents and pilots to fill out if they wish. The survey asks everything from what improvements are needed at area airports, to safety information, to radio communications questions and restrictions needed. Sworts emphasizes that the Borough is trying to have a balanced approach to the study.

This project started last year in April and is on-going. DOWL Engineers are the project engineers involved with the Plan and most recently gave a presentation to the Talkeetna Community Council. The public meeting next Monday is the second in a series and more will be held this summer.