Harvey Field ready to report Master Plan progress

SNOHOMISH — Harvey Field Airport will report new airport activity forecasts and airport facility needs as part of its ongoing Master Plan at a public open house April 1st from 6:30pm to 8pm in Hangar 15 on the main ramp at the airport.
Harvey Field Airport owner, Kandace Harvey of Snohomish, said the citizen, pilot, business, City, and County interest and participation in the airport’s master planning process is gratifying. “Our goal is to assure the airport remains a transportation and economic asset to the community long into the future. The key to that future is a community supported plan that assures safe airport operations. We’re looking forward to the open house, hearing everyone’s comments, and engaging in the dialogue.”
The existing runway approaches do not meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety and design standards. Meeting standards is challenging, as identified in the Master Plan due to the road and railroad obstructions. Harvey states “These challenging issues are being addressed and that’s why our working groups are asked to focus on finding solutions that work for everyone. Public and community input is important, necessary and welcomed”, says Harvey. “We’ve had the support of the community over the years and worked hard to build the airport into what it is today. We have gained national and international acclaim for our flight school and sky diving operations. We are working hard to cooperatively preserve that value for the airport’s and community’s future.”
Asked about whether the Master Plan will adequately evaluate noise and flood impacts, Harvey reported working with the FAA to add more “hard science” and even preliminary engineering to the Master Plan work elements. “This way, once alternative solutions are identified, we can be assured we have the hard data to present to the public and required information to really evaluate impacts.”
Asked about funding for the Master Plan and any subsequent construction projects, Harvey replied that funding for the Master Plan comes from airport revenue, WSDOT Aviation, and FAA. “If any construction projects come out of this plan - projects that are supported and approved by the public agencies involved - then the airport would apply to both WSDOT Aviation and FAA to help the airport fund those projects.”
Both WSDOT and FAA funds for airport projects come from aviation user fees and taxes.
More information about the open house and the master plan is at the plan website: www.harveyfield.com, menu selection choice “Master Plan”.