Phase 1 of South Lake Tahoe Airport Master Plan released

With the South Lake Tahoe airport not having scheduled passenger service since 2001, and with a master plan last updated in 1992, it was time to create a new plan based on the needs of the area today, and in the future.

The FAA gave funding support to the City to initiate the new master plan in 2013. The recommended development shall be presented in three planning periods; short-term (2015 to 2019), intermediate-term (2020 to 2024), and long-term (2025 to 2034).

Phase 1 of the plan was released Monday. It examines the existing conditions, operations analysis, as well as an environmental review. The City had the report also include the sustainability initiatives already in place at the airport, goals and areas to improve.

Aviation has a huge financial impact on communities, making up 5.2% of the Gross Domestic Product. Even without commercial air service, the South Lake Tahoe Airport can still generate $2.8M a year in revenue according to forecasts. In Fiscal year 2014 the airport had expenses of $1,063,726 and income of $1,058,951.22 (which includes operating transfers of just over $351,000 from the General Fund).

"It is recommended that the City engage a qualified firm to conduct a detailed economic impact study in response to numerous comments received during the public meetings," according to the Phase 1 Report.

Phase 1 has identified key issues at the aiport that the master plan process will look at and try to resolve.

In order to support the forecasted future needs of the airport, the Phase 1 report recommends several improvements to meet the future ARC C-III airplane design standards.

• Relocation of runway or taxiway to meet
separation standards
• Widening Runway 18-36 shoulders to 20 feet
• Clearing and grading of RSAs
• Removal of obstacles within ROFAs
• Acquisition or easement over land located
within approach and departure RPZs
• Relocation of aircraft tie-downs
• Adjustments to airfield signage and markings

It also recommends improved parking but states that the current terminal and support facilities will meet the needs.

Phase 2 will formulate strategies, evaluate criteria and evaluate alternatives. Phase 3 will be taking the information gathered through the first two phases and select the City's preferred alternative, get cost estimates, create airport layout plans, plan funding and create a draft of the Final Report. The final phase would contain the final report and implementation plan.