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."