Large Group Shows Up to Hear About South Lake Tahoe Airport Master Plan

They came to have their opinion heard. They came to call for the closure of the airport. They came to support the airport. They came to be a part of the South Lake Tahoe Airport Master Plan process.

An overflowing crowd showed up at the South Lake Tahoe City Council chambers Thursday night to hear about the process involved in preparing the upcoming plan for the future of the airport, why a new plan is needed and what it takes to replace the outdated 1992 Master Plan.

Most residents seem to agree that something needs to be done at the airport, just what is needed is where there are many differing opinions. Several community members spoke up at the meeting, asking questions of Michael Hotaling, Vice President of C&S Companies, the planners hired for the project.

The History

The airport was built in 1959, just in time to help with transportation needs of the 1960 Winter Olympics. Most airports were built during World War II to help support the war, so the South Lake Tahoe airport is rare that it came much later and was built to serve the needs of the community for tourism.

In 1978, the airport saw the most people pass through when 294,188 passengers landed in South Lake Tahoe. In 2011, the last year of data available, there were 24,000 flights. 79% of those flights were visitor driven, 2% were for military use and 19% were local flights. These figures are the opposite of most airports where local flights (private pilots with their own planes) are responsible for the largest percentage of flights.

The City of South Lake Tahoe has been the operator the airport since they purchased it from El Dorado County in 1983 for $1.

Master Plan

The airport master plan will determine what path the airport should take to stimulate the economy, protect the environment, to help the commuter/traveler and to be sustainable. The FAA requires an updated and approved master plan for an airport eligible for federal funding (the SLT airport has received $27,462,036 in federal funds since 1999). The plan needs to change along with changing needs and technology, along with other requirements.

Over the next few months C&S Companies will prepare a report detailing the existing conditions of the airport, forecast of activity and needs of the community. The results of this report will be made public around April or May. Residents will be encouraged to read the report and bring their thoughts and questions to a public meeting.

Once the plan is presented, alternatives will be investigated, a final plan will be developed and presented to the City and TRPA for approval, sometime around February of 2015.

Sustainability

The City fought hard to have sustainability be a big part of the airport master plan. The FAA doesn't normally have this portion involved but it was important to city leaders.

They want to make sure the plan has economic viability, is operationally efficient, involves natural resource conservation and is socially responsible.

Community Involvement

The whole community has been invited to be part of the process. Hotaling said residents are being asked to help shape the vision, share ideas, review the work product and recommend and suggest. This focus was repeated during the presentation to encourage involvement and participation. Being part of the process also allows everyone to understand all components, including why closing the airport is not a viable option.

Attached to this story you will find copies of the documents passed out during the meeting.