Lake Tahoe Airport Master Plan approved

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With the 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).

After many public meetings and release of different phases of the plan over the past four years, the process came to a close today as the South Lake Tahoe City Council unanimously approved the master plan.

The plan includes:

•Pavement marking and signage improvements
•Pavement reconstruction and rehabilitation
•Taxiway modifications
•Delineation of helicopter parking
•Removal of vegetation and other airspace obstructions
•Improvements to a drainage ditch
•Construction and/or expansion of new hangar and fixed-base operator facilities
•Demolition and removal of an existing air traffic control tower
•Installation of improved navigational instruments
•Self-serve fueling station
•Aircraft wash rack
•Electric vehicle charging stations

The plan provides the strategic mission for the general-use airport for the next 20 years. No expansion will happen at the airport but there will be a reduction in land coverage with a small portion of pavement being removed.

Also being removed will be the control tower. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) abandoned the tower in 2004 and the building is now full of mold and has other issues due to lack of maintenance. It will be the FAA's responsibility to remove the tower at their expense. They will take it down and put a soft communications tower in its place. At one time the FAA offered the City the building for $1 to take possession of it.

Should the City and Airport ever need to add communication service in the future they will do as Truckee and Elko do, bring in a mobile modular tower for added safety and noise control. This is already being done during American Century Celebrity Golf with the added air traffic at the airport.

The airport is a public facility and receives federal funds, they cannot discriminate by restricting who uses it, as long as the size of the plane and noise levels are within the limits.

Approximately $25 million will have to be spent on improvements during the three phases through 2034, and now that the plan has been approved, procurement of funds can begin. $22.3 million would be eligible for FAA Airport Improvement Funds (AIP) with the remaining fund coming through City and private funding sources.

Phase 1 (2015-2019)
Focuses on the continued reconstruction of the apron (being completed in phases); bringing the airport into compliance with FAA design standards, specifically related to the safety areas and removal of obstructions; and upgrades to deteriorating equipment.

Phase 2 (2020-2024)
Addresses need for additional taxiway and apron improvements.

Phase 3 (2025-2034)
Focuses on completing the taxiway improvements, enhancing facilities and services for pilots, and potentially generating renewable energy at the airport.