PORT ANGELES — The Port of Port Angeles has been awarded a $150,000 grant to create a master plan for the redevelopment of Lincoln Park if the existing trees are removed.
The port is proposing that most of the trees in the park, which is owned by the city of Port Angeles, be removed in 2013 or 2014 to maintain a safe landing approach for a runway at the port’s adjacent William R. Fairchild International Airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration has said some trees must come down to maintain the current landing approach for runway 26.
Port officials have proposed cutting most of the evergreen trees, which were planted at some time after the Army clearcut the area in 1942, to resolve the problem before they grow taller and obstruct airspace.
Some 200 trees were cut in 2007 to clear airspace.
The FAA sent the port a letter of intent, dated July 22, notifying the port of advance approval of the Airport Improvement Grant, which requires the port to match funds in the amount of $7,500.
The port, rather than the city, is heading the redevelopment process for the city park that includes a master plan.
No decision made
The Port Angeles City Council has not made a decision on the fate of the trees.
“The plan has to be done first,” said Kent Myers, city manager of Port Angeles.
There will be a number of public hearings and meetings to develop that plan, Myers said.
Once the master plan is complete, the City Council will decide if the plan will adequately replace the trees, he said.
Said Jeff Robb, port executive director: “We’re the ones that will be requesting the removal of the trees.
“If the city was interested in removing the trees, they could do it.”
Among the possible plans discussed during past meetings is the idea of replacing the existing trees with species that do not grow tall enough to obstruct the runway approach.
“We need to have clear, unobstructed airspace,” Robb said.
In February, the port and the city of Port Angeles selected a consultant to conduct a public master planning project for the park.
The planning process will include public input, Robb said. No dates have been set for hearings.
For the protection of the park and the airport, the FAA grant included a proposed time line for park redevelopment.
Grant time line
The grant’s time line proposal includes these dates:
■ 2011-2012 — Prepare a master plan for potential redevelopment of Lincoln Park.
■ 2012-2013 — Initiate an environmental assessment of reducing the angle of approach from the current, steep approach to a standard, less severe angle of approach.
■ 2013 — Acquire navigation easements from the city of Port Angeles for the approach to runway 26.
■ 2013-2014 — Remove trees capable of impacting the approach and implement the redevelopment plan.
At Monday’s port commission meeting, Commissioner John Calhoun said he was unhappy with the time line for removing the trees and asked if the schedule could be shortened.
“The time line is stretched out to 2014. That’s unsatisfactory,” Calhoun said.
The extra costs incurred by Kenmore Air while waiting for the change are a concern, he said.
The regional airline, which offers the only scheduled passenger flights on the North Olympic Peninsula out of the Port Angeles airport, is already struggling with increased costs and declining ridership, and by 2014, it may be too late, Calhoun said.
A second concern is improving the airport’s use in the event of a natural disaster, said Commissioner Jim McEntire.
The airport will be an essential way to get in and out of the area, McEntire said.
“We need to be able to get a C-130-size aircraft in and out in the event of natural disasters,” he said.
“That’s another aspect to lend some urgency to the time line.”
________
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
