Funding delays stall Norwich airport project
NORWICH – Federal funding delays are holding up a tree removal project that would make the landing strip of the Lt. Warren Eaton airport more visible to incoming pilots.
Trees on private properties surrounding the county-owned airport in Norwich have grown so tall that they obstruct pilots’ view and, in accordance with FAA regulations, are limmiting runway use to daytime hours.
The county has contracted with Clough Harbour, an Albany-based engineering and consulting firm, to work on the project. According to Clough Harbour representatives, any hope of improving the airport in the future starts with compliance of FAA regulations. This means cutting trees that are blocking pilots’ approach to the runway and are limiting nighttime use.
The present challenge, said Clough Harbour engineer Paul McDonnell, is that Congress hasn’t released 2016 federal funding yet, and that’s stalling plans locally.
“Because of that, we have not put plans together until we know what’s going to happen,” he said.
The entire project is being funded through a combination of federal, state and local resources. Federal funding will make up 90 percent the cost of the project while 5 percent will be covered by state funds, and another 5 percent by local funds.
McDonnell presented the issue to the county’s Planning and Economic Development Committee last week. County officials have been discussing the project since May.
Until funding is released, McDonnell said his company is negotiating deals with private property owners to allow crews to cut trees on their properties. The properties of biggest concern include Norwich Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, the cemetery, and the Chobani corporate offices.
There are also environmental concerns to deal with, McDonnell added. Clough Harbour is collaborating with the Department of Environmental Conservation to ensure the project doesn’t impact area wildlife. Initial plans were to cut trees during the winter to reduce the environmental impact, particularly in the wetlands along the Chenango River.
“Tree removal needs to happen during the winter in those wetland areas,” said McDonnell, adding that tree cutting now will likely have to wait another year.
A target date for completion of planning has been moved from March to mid-October with work likely to start in January or February of 2017.
In August, the FAA announced that the Lt.Warren Eaton Airport is slated to receive $90,000 to help fund the project.
Total cost for the project, including engineering and replacement of some trees, ranges between $100,000 and $200,000, said Lt. Warren E. Eaton Airport Administrator Don MacIntosh. Final costs depend largely on negotiations with private landowners along the runway approach.
County officials intend to pay the local share of the project with airport entitlement funds which are given to the Lt.Warren Eaton Airport each year. The airport currently has more than $275,000 in entitlement funds on hand.
Trees on private properties surrounding the county-owned airport in Norwich have grown so tall that they obstruct pilots’ view and, in accordance with FAA regulations, are limmiting runway use to daytime hours.
The county has contracted with Clough Harbour, an Albany-based engineering and consulting firm, to work on the project. According to Clough Harbour representatives, any hope of improving the airport in the future starts with compliance of FAA regulations. This means cutting trees that are blocking pilots’ approach to the runway and are limiting nighttime use.
The present challenge, said Clough Harbour engineer Paul McDonnell, is that Congress hasn’t released 2016 federal funding yet, and that’s stalling plans locally.
“Because of that, we have not put plans together until we know what’s going to happen,” he said.
The entire project is being funded through a combination of federal, state and local resources. Federal funding will make up 90 percent the cost of the project while 5 percent will be covered by state funds, and another 5 percent by local funds.
McDonnell presented the issue to the county’s Planning and Economic Development Committee last week. County officials have been discussing the project since May.
Until funding is released, McDonnell said his company is negotiating deals with private property owners to allow crews to cut trees on their properties. The properties of biggest concern include Norwich Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, the cemetery, and the Chobani corporate offices.
There are also environmental concerns to deal with, McDonnell added. Clough Harbour is collaborating with the Department of Environmental Conservation to ensure the project doesn’t impact area wildlife. Initial plans were to cut trees during the winter to reduce the environmental impact, particularly in the wetlands along the Chenango River.
“Tree removal needs to happen during the winter in those wetland areas,” said McDonnell, adding that tree cutting now will likely have to wait another year.
A target date for completion of planning has been moved from March to mid-October with work likely to start in January or February of 2017.
In August, the FAA announced that the Lt.Warren Eaton Airport is slated to receive $90,000 to help fund the project.
Total cost for the project, including engineering and replacement of some trees, ranges between $100,000 and $200,000, said Lt. Warren E. Eaton Airport Administrator Don MacIntosh. Final costs depend largely on negotiations with private landowners along the runway approach.
County officials intend to pay the local share of the project with airport entitlement funds which are given to the Lt.Warren Eaton Airport each year. The airport currently has more than $275,000 in entitlement funds on hand.
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