Eminent Domain Won't Be Considered For W41

During the May 1 meeting of the Somerset County, MD county commission, officials were met by some 40 residents from subdivisions surrounding the Crisfield-Somerset County Airport (W41) -- voicing concern about plans to extend the airport's only paved runway by 1,821 feet, to a length of 4,000 feet.

These objections have caused the county commissioners to rethink, at least temporarily, the expansion plans that include the purchase of three private properties. There is also a proposal to add a parallel taxiway that would require the purchase of privately owned marshland.

The complaints and fear of the opposition were stated in a prepared petition and centered on homes being lost, property devaluation and increased air traffic bringing a noise increase that would negatively impact the quality of life.

There are three houses that are located in the airport's runway protection zone. The owners received letters advising them the county wanted to buy them out in March.

The properties have to be purchased to meet minimum FAA guidelines, according to a draft environmental assessment recently completed by the county's consultant, URS Corp. The end of the runway would also have to be moved 100 yards away from a traveled thoroughfare to avoid the road's closure.

The plan also impacts nearly eight acres of marshland and adds about 7.7 acres of impervious surface. The marshland would have to be created elsewhere

The URS report stipulates that if the No-Build Alternative is followed, "The airport could risk losing federal and state funding in the future if current deficiencies are not corrected," according to the Crisfield Times. The FAA typically pays 95 percent of costs associated with approved airport plans with the state, county and city covering the remaining five percent.

Commissioner Mike McCready said the board will contact the FAA regarding the matter. "If we don't do it, what will the FAA do with the funding," he said.

The URS report predicts aircraft operations will increase significantly. In 2004, the airport recorded 3,700 aircraft operations. That is expected to increase to 6,300 in 2009 and again to nearly 11,500 by 2014. The airport's peak year was 1990 when 8,352 flights were recorded.

A master plan completed in 1995 recommended lengthening the paved runway. In February 2006 adjoining property owners received a letter from URS stating the county and city were applying for wetlands permits in cooperation with the Maryland Aviation Administration and FAA.

County Administrator Charles Massey said airport expansion would be a benefit "for economic reasons" by providing a place for corporate jets to land. "This is not for heavy airlines," he said. The plan "addresses noise" from aircraft such as turboprop jets, he added.

If the homeowners decline to sell, Massey said the county won't consider eminent domain. "It's in their hands," he said.

Homeowner Margaret Srain said if the county is "going to take my house, take it now, not 10 years from now." Massey said he is attempting to hasten the appraisal process. "We can't apply for funding until the environmental assessment is OK'd by FAA," he said.

If the expansion plan is ultimately shelved, as requested by the petition, The URS report says it "would likely result in current and anticipated users/tenants deciding to find accommodations at other facilities...[and] compromise safety."

FMI: www.fboweb.com/fb40/airport/W41.html