Thu, Aug 28, 2003
Florida’s Martin
County is prohibited from closing Witham Field (SUA) in Stuart,
Fla., warned AOPA, adding the association will fight any attempt to
move or downsize the airport. The warning comes as county
commissioners prepare to discuss a report on the future of the
airport – a report that considers only three options:
downsizing, relocation, or outright closure.
In a letter to Martin County Commission Chairman Michael
DiTerlizzi, AOPA Vice President of Airports Bill Dunn said AOPA and
the FAA will win in a fight to keep Witham Field open because the
county accepted federal airport improvement funds, which come with
airtight grant obligations.
"One of the key obligations is to keep the airport open for a
period of 20 years from the grant date. In the case of Witham
Field, our records indicate a 2002 FAA grant in the amount of
$673,064, meaning the airport must remain open as an airport until
at least the year 2022," Dunn wrote.
"Calls to close or restrict an airport are often fueled by a
handful of people in areas surrounding the airport for a myriad of
reasons," Dunn continued. "Political pressure on elected officials
like you increases as misinformation campaigns concerning the
airport takes hold. It is our opinion that this is exactly what is
occurring in Martin County. A handful of area residents have
embarked on a quest and misinformation abounds."
The primary complaint at Witham Field has been noise. The Martin
County Commission has begun a Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR)
Part 150 noise compatibility study, a point noted in Dunn’s
letter. "Martin County is to be commended for taking the
initiative. Implementation of any approved mitigation measures, if
necessary, is a step in the right direction."
Dunn concluded by pointing out that Witham Field is a vital part
not only of Florida’s transportation system, but of the
national transportation system as well. "We encourage Martin County
to support unequivocally this key general aviation economic engine.
AOPA is committed to ensuring the continued operation of Witham
Field without undue and unnecessary restrictions."
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