Avigation easement planning study

PALMER - The City of Palmer is examining precautionary measures near the Bud Woods Municipal Airport. A study is planned between the city of Palmer and the Mat-Su Borough to explore an avigation easement near the airport extending over the Matanuska River Park. The City of Palmer and Borough will be restarting discussions for aviation safety in Palmer.

“One alternative includes an expanded avigation easement that would give Palmer the right to selectively remove trees that are a hazard to aviation over a larger area of the park in order to make the park and the air transportation corridor above the park safer,” wrote City Manager John Moosey.

Prior to any agreement between the city of Palmer and borough, the study must be completed to satisfy Federal regulations pertaining to avigation easements. Moosey wrote that Palmer is in the process of obtaining a grant from the FAA to fund the study, and that a website for distributing information on the study would be built.

“The study will include an evaluation of options to offset impacts to the park, which will need to be acceptable not only to the Borough, but also Alaska State Parks, the National Park Service and the Federal Aviation Administration. Palmer’s desire is to partner with the Borough to manage penetrations of the airspace while preserving the park and utilizing the full capabilities of the airport,” wrote Moosey.