Date:  Monday, March 02, 2009

Contact: Nisha Marvel, WSDOT Aviation Communications, 360-651-6310

The public is invited to comment on Washington’s draft alternative strategies (pdf 1 mb). The Aviation Planning Council, with support from the Washington State Department of Transportation, has developed these draft strategies as part of the Long-Term Air Transportation Study (LATS). Also available for public review is the Aviation System Plan Summary Report (pdf 4 mb), which presents the LATS key findings and policies upon which the alternative strategies are based.

The public comment period on the draft alternative strategies extends from March 4, 2009 – April 17, 2009. Please submit comments on or before April 17, 2009 to allow timely consideration of your issues and concerns by the Aviation Planning Council as it develops its final recommendations.

Alternative Strategies
The draft alternative strategies are designed to address key issues facing Washington’s aviation system in the areas of capacity, stewardship, and incompatible land use. These key issues represent major long-term challenges to Washington’s air transportation system and impact both commercial and general aviation users across the state.  The final set of strategies will ultimately become part of the Washington Aviation System Plan. 

How to Submit Comments
This comment workbook was developed to collect your feedback on the draft alternative strategies. You may type directly onto the form or print it out and write comments.  As a note, as you type your comments in the comment boxes, the text will appear in the middle of the box.   

You may mail, fax or e-mail using the contact information listed below or submit them in person at a regional public meeting.

Mail: WSDOT Aviation, Attn: Nisha Marvel, P.O. Box 3367, Arlington, WA 98223
E-mail: marveln@wsdot.wa.gov
Fax: (360) 651-6319

Attend a Regional Public Meeting
Learn more about the Long-Term Air Transportation Study and the alternative strategies and discuss your issues of interest at a Regional Public Meeting:

March 24, 2009
4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
New Location:
WSDOT Headquarters
310 Maple Park Avenue SE
Olympia WA
Commission Board Room
First floor (Entrance on west side of the building)

March 26, 2009
4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Ramada Inn
8909 West Airport Drive
Spokane, WA

The Aviation Planning Council is a 10 member Council appointed by the Governor .The Council’s purpose is to use LATS Phases I and II findings, and include public input, to determine:

• How best to meet commercial and general aviation capacity needs.
• Which regions of the state are in need of improvement regarding the matching of existing, or projected, airport facilities and the long-range capacity needs at airports within the region expected to reach capacity before 2030.
• Recommendations regarding the placement of future commercial or general aviation facilities to meet the need for improved aviation planning in the region.

The Aviation Planning Council will consider public comments at its next scheduled meeting on May 7 at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. This is the final meeting of the Aviation Planning Council.

The Council’s final recommendations will be submitted to the Governor, Washington State Legislature, and Washington State Transportation Commission by July 1, 2009 in accordance with Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 5121.

For more information, visit the LATS Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/aviation/lats.

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