Wood River Valley airport sites narrowed to three 

A new Federal Aviation Administration report names three potential replacement sites for Friedman Memorial Airport. This is the latest step in a long history of the quest for an airport that can better serve the region. The FAA contracted Landrum & Brown to prepare the Environmental Impact Statement, and this report is part of the first phase of their research. The report states the FAA will submit three sites for an in-depth environmental evaluation. The Friedman Memorial Airport Authority’s preferred site (in southern Blaine County, south of Highway 20 and east of Highway 75) is one of those three. The other two sites are both along Highway 20, one of them on the north side, east of the intersection with Highway 75, and the other to the west, near the Blaine and Camas county line.

“We feel that the release of this latest report is truly a watershed moment in the long consideration of a replacement airport,” FMAA Board chair Martha Burke said in a release. “The FAA, the Bureau of Land Management, Landrum & Brown and others have much work to do, but the Board is excited about the forward movement and look forward to aggressively pursuing a modern, safe, reliable and convenient airport. As we move ahead, we must keep our eye on the ultimate goal – maintenance of essential air service for the Sun Valley area with a safe, reliable facility that meets FAA standards, while also providing the opportunity to expand future commercial service and meet all aviation demand.”

The report also confirms previous indications that modifying the existing airport to conform to FAA standards is not an option because of space constraints and terrain.

NEW! Online only subscription. 24/7 access to premium online subscriber content for only $79.00 a year!
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TODAY!

Comments are closed.