New Borough aviation plan worries some

TALKEETNA — Some Upper Susitna Valley residents are concerned future aviation development in the area could ruin the pristine atmosphere in the Denali parkland and hinder residential growth.

Mat-Su Borough officials and a consultant are working to draft a regional aviation plan that includes a proposed airport near Trapper Creek. Some area residents this week shared their thoughts about the future of aviation in the Borough at the final of three public input meetings.

The head of Borough planning said any commotion about the Regional Aviation System Plan (RASP) is unnecessary, as the long-range planning document must also go to the Borough’s Planning Commission and Assembly before it is adopted.

Acting Planning Chief Eileen Probasco said the document “is a general plan with a recommendation that something in that area should be located” to serve the growing South Denali area’s future aviation needs.

Probasco said a site has not been picked for a new airport, nor is there money set aside to build one. A preliminary outline of needs identifies the area around Mile 121 or Mile 131 of the Parks Highway as possible locations.

An overflow crowd came to the Sunshine Fire Station near Mile 99 of the Parks Highway Monday to voice concerns about developing an airport that could eventually accommodate fixed-wing aircraft to serve development of tourism in South Denali.

Borough consultant DOWL Engineers of Anchorage hosted more than 100 members of the public at two recent meetings and said many comments were valuable and will be included in a final report to the Borough.

Transportation Planner John Jones of DOWL said that after 50 people crowded into the Sunshine Fire Station, many with concerns about a new airport near rural properties, the public comment period has been extended from Nov. 5 to Nov. 19.

“I think the main thing we’re hearing from folks is that they’d like a little more study on these sites,” Jones said. The two sites were selected as possible airport locations because they have enough land to serve a growing area over the next 20 years.

“We’re not trying to railroad anybody here. We were tasked with looking at the entire Borough,” Jones said of the 18-month project.

Jones said he suspects the first item in the report that local government may address is the need for a float plane base in the southern part of the borough, not a new airport near Denali.

Aviation business co-owner Geri Denkewalter of Talkeetna said many homeowners from the Trapper Creek area who went to the firehouse were concerned about a lack of notice from DOWL Engineers to provide input into the process.

Upper Su residents weren’t the only concerned parties. Wasilla resident Gary Fawcett lives on an aviation lake and says he has nothing against planes.

Fawcett wanted a time extension for public comment on the Borough consultant’s report because he owns Trapper Creek property he hopes to use during his retirement. Fawcett thinks homeowners and land owners should have been notified that a new airport at either Mile 121 or Mile 131 of the Parks Highway is part of the aviation report.

Fawcett, who attended two of the public hearings, one in Wasilla and the gathering in Sunshine, said consultants creating the aviation plan have left homeowners out of the loop.

Mary and Rollie Ostermick own property in the area and attended the meeting. Mary Ostermick said the meeting was useful, but she opposes a new airport.

“They did get new information they hadn’t thought about,” she said about suggestions from residents.

For direct access to the aviation panel’s draft report, visit www.regionalaviation.info.

Jones said the final report will have some clarified language, minor changes and more public comment included.

Contact John R. Moses at john.moses@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.