Prepared by Joh Jones

1. The next meeting of CRAT will be Tuesday, October 6 at 6 pm at Steamboat Landing.  Bring a friend.

NOTICE OF HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of County Commissioners, Lewis County, Washington (BOCC), will hold a hearing on Ordinance 1322, proposed creation of an Airports Division within the Department of Public Works and promulgation of Rules and Regulations for the Lewis County Airports. The hearing will take place on October 12, 2020, at or after 10 a.m., in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room on the 2nd floor of the Historic Courthouse at 351 N.W. North Street in Chehalis, Washington, when and where all persons may appear and be heard regarding approving the Rules and Regulations. Please look at the Commissioners’ hearing schedule at https://lewiscountywa.gov/offices/commissioners/agendas-calendar/ as October 12, 2020, approaches for updated details.

The proposal may be viewed on the BOCC’s website and can be obtained in writing from the Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office or Clerk of the Board prior to the hearing in person or by phone at 360-740-1240 or 360-740-1120.  Written comments may be submitted to the BOCC prior to or during said hearing.

This meeting site is barrier free. People needing special assistance or accommodations should contact the Clerk of the Board by phone at 360-740-1419 at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting.

Dated: September 21, 2020

____________________________________

Rieva Lester

Clerk of the Lewis County Board

of County Commissioners

Publish:  The Chronicle September 22 and 29, 2020

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ORDINANCE XXXX 

BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 

OF LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON 

AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNTY OF LEWIS, ESTABLISHING ) ORD. XXXX 

A DIVISION OF AIRPORTS AND ADDING A CHAPTER 12.70 ) 

OF THE LEWIS COUNTY CODE ) 

WHEREAS, Lewis County is the owner and operator of Ed Carlson Memorial Field/SouthLewis County Airport, and the Packwood Airport (Lewis County Airports); and 

WHEREAS, the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) wishes to create a Division of Airports and to direct the promulgation of rules and regulations applicable to the Lewis County Airports; and 

WHEREAS, the BOCC has reviewed the below proposed ordinance at an open public hearing and it appearing to be in the best public interest; 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BOCC hereby adopts the following code provisions and amendments as follows: 

1. Lewis County hereby adds an additional Chapter 12.70 of the Lewis County Code as shown below: 

12.70.010 Division created. 

There shall be, and the Board of County Commissioners does hereby create and establish, a division within the Department of Public Works to be known as the Airports Division. 

12.70.020 Positions. 

Positions within the Airports Division shall consist of the Airports Manager and such other staff as may be established and authorized in the county’s annual budget. 

12.70.030 Powers and duties of Airports Manager. 

The powers and duties of the Airports Manager shall be to perform any and all duties which heretofore have been assigned to the Airports Manager; including scheduling, managing and overseeing the airports; administering the leases at the airports; and such other related functions and duties as may be assigned by the Director of Public Works. 

12.70.040 Airports rules and regulations. 

The Director of Public Works shall adopt, and from time to time shall review and revise, rules and regulations applicable to all airports owned and operated by Lewis County. A copy of the Lewis County Airports Rules and Regulations shall be placed on file with the Public Works Department and may be 

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reviewed during normal business hours. A copy of the rules and regulations shall also be posted at each airport owned and operated by Lewis County. 

12.70.050 Violation is civil infraction. 

Violation of the rules and regulations promulgated under this chapter shall be a civil infraction and the provisions of Lewis County Code Section 1.20.040 shall be applicable. 

12.70.060 Effective date. 

The effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall be the first day of November, 2020. 

AND FURTHERMORE, the code reviser may make such editorial changes to the online code as are appropriate in light of its passage. 

Peter Sonne provided this information

I put together some overlays using Google Maps using identical scales to give an overview of what a future airport might look like.  What is not shown is the other infrastructure (hotels, gas stations, car rental, restaurants, parking, mass transit) that would also need to be developed, most likely in the space between I-5 and the airport.  I did a couple takes with different runway orientation.

This is a word document from Mike Eastridge

To our Toledo and surrounding area residents,

As many know, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has started the process of identifying a location to build a potential large Sea-Tac sized airport which equates to three runways, each being 9,000 feet long, approximately, which would allow international and domestic reach that is equivalent to what Sea-Tac is now providing.  Our elected Lewis County Board of Commissioners unanimously expressed interest in working with the WSDOT to expand Toledo’s airport for this purpose.

The Citizens for Responsible Aviation in Toledo committee has begun research on the impact to our communities if Toledo is selected for this expansion.  There are various concerns expressed by our residents, such as:

Noise sleep disturbance, Infrucsture vibration, Crime, Aircraft counts, Effects on wildlife domestic pets, Traffic congestion (ground), Depressed property values, Noise Complaints and Air pollution.  All though the statics below would not be immediately recognized day one, it has the potential to impact our future generations.

The data below was obtained from two sources, although confirmation has not been confirmed:

Sea-Tac Airport Effects Study conducted in February 2020 by the Port of Seattle

Web site: https://www.commerce.wa.gov/serving-communities/growth-management/growth-management-topics/sea-tac-airport-impact-study/

Neighborhood Scout (Crime)

Web site: https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/wa/seatac/crime

Noise sleep disturbance:

Undisturbed sleep is a vital function necessary for daytime alertness, quality of life and health.  There is ample evidence that chronic disturbance or curtailed sleep is associated with adverse health effects such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure.  Aircraft noise is intermittent, and whether or not aircraft noise disturbs sleep is dependent on factors such a sleep depth and noise sensitivity, as well as and the number and acoustical properties of the SEL event(s).   Noise sensitivity plays an important part in sleep disturbance.  Research has shown that the elderly, children, shift-workers and those in Ill health are particularly vulnerable to be disturbed (Muzet 2007).  Younger children and shift-workers tend to sleep during daytime hours when there are higher air traffic volumes.

Infrucsture Vibration Damage:

These studies have shown that jet engines create enough low frequency noise energy to induce wall and floor vibration and rattling of windows and objects, particularly to the sides of the runway take-off/departure zones in proximity to airports.    Generally, the start of take-off rolls, acceleration down a runway, and thrust reversal generate the highest levels of LFN.  Measurements of noise to the sides of the take-off roll show that the larger the aircraft the higher the LFN levels, which decrease as the aircraft moves down the runway.  Measurements during thrust reversal do not show the same trend with airplane size.

Crime:

To level set, the safest areas are rated at 100, Sea-Tac is currently rated at 4 (safer than 4% of U.S. Cities).  The higher chart below, show Sea-Tac’s current crime rate, which is much higher than major non-airport locations. These numbers represent murder, rape robbery and assault.

Aircraft Counts:

Air carrier jet aircraft create the loudest noise events as compared to general aviation or air taxi service.  The 2019 total operations figure means that on average there was approximately 1,131 operations per day or 47 per hour.  Since air traffic is heavier during the day, there is a steady occurrence of overflights, particularly during daylight hours.  This can vary dramatically depending on the time of day, time of week, etc.  however, each operation represents an individual SEL noise event, which have increased by 73% from 1997 to 2019.

Effects on Wildlife Domestic Pets:

Aircraft noise also has an effect on wild animals and domestic pets.  Wildlife species differ greatly in their responses to noise.    Species have adapted to fill certain ecological niches and their hearing usually reflects their role.  They rely on hearing to communicate with other members of their species, find food and avoid predators.  Noise from aircraft can impact their ability to carry out these necessary survival skills.    Both wildlife and domestic pets that are exposed to high sound levels can experience stress, hypertension and other nervous disorders similar to humans.

Traffic Congestion (Ground):

Although, we have not found a study on this topic, we believe it’s a real concern within our community and surrounding areas.   Having a Sea-Tac airport will certainty impact our ability to maneuver, as we do today.

Depressed Property Values:

Aviation noise has an indirect effect on property values because noise is a factor considered during the buyer/seller negotiations on the price of a property located near an airport.  Several studies of aviation noise on property values found impacts ranging from substantial negative impacts to minimal effect.

Noise Complaints:

The number of complaints dramatically increased from 3,571 in 1997 to 400,000 in 2019.

Air pollution:

Although, we have not found any reports on air pollution, you may want to consider that that the air pollution distributed from jet engines would have some type of impact on our land and crops.

Our committee encourages you to please contact your elected Lewis County Commissioners to express your concern, if you agree.

Created by Rain Amrais

Are we looking for how we want TDO to develop with all the resources the state/fed/county can put in to it, or are we looking for things we can bring in and find the funding ourselves without upgrading the infrastructure?

To be honest, Chehalis-Centralia is a far better development site, if only they hadn’t put it in a flood prone area.  If TDO is going to develop, I don’t think it’s worth worrying whether we can pull groups from them or Packwood, we’ll have others forming up around our airport.  We’re more likely to pull in enthusiasts from more crowded airspace like Puget Sound or Portland.

But here’s the thing- by what I can see, if we want to pull in anything significant beyond general aviation, our runway is too short.  Mercury Jets also run turboprops which don’t need as much runway.  At less than 5000’ we really aren’t going to see many private style jets.

To have a wildfire base, even to get smaller tankers in I don’t think we can be under 6000’ on the runway.  The other thing is, tankers often run over weight, meaning they’ll tear up our runway if it’s not built right.

Also, if we want air taxi or charter services based here- if they’re serious, they probably want to run jets, and we need more runway.

Having bigger outfits than General Aviation provides means a better chance of supporting aircraft mechanic services.  Regulations are pretty tight regarding maintenance schedules even on small planes, and having mechanic services could pull in small aircraft business from busier areas that don’t have the little guys as a priority.  Convenience could mean the little guys would want to keep their planes here -granted we need more hangars.

An aviation school, to be more than small peanuts, also needs a longer runway if they’re going to teach more than general aviation.  You have to get hours on your plane type, it’s not just one-and-done on a pilots license.  What we’ve got now is suited to the most basic beginner level.

I think a wildfire base is a good idea.  We might also encourage a training center for that, and smokejumpers.  But- runway.

We could focus on everything helicopter.  That wouldn’t be disadvantaged by a short runway.

If we don’t improve the runway I think we need to focus on bringing as much general aviation in as we can along with what businesses can cope with the runway.

On the bright side, even if we only have lots of enthusiasts out here doing their hobby flying, they’re still going to want to eat in restaurants and sleep under roofs.

RA

Created by Rain Amrais

Toledo Airport Potential Uses

One of the biggest limiters is the runway, both length and how much weight it can take.  Upgrading to something that can take a commercial size jet means both lengthening and strengthening the whole length- which also opens the door to increasing amounts of large jet traffic over time, and would be expensive.  Making it fit for executive or small jets still likely means lengthening.

The other thing TDO would really need to support air businesses is aircraft maintenance and overhaul services. This is actually a big thing that could draw customers from all over the region.  If our runway can only take small planes though, that would limit the business to that size of aircraft.

CARGO:

Smaller air cargo companies will not be as viable from TDO because of the distance to their customer base.  Plus, most of them convert old passenger jets for cargo use, meaning the runway is a limiter.

However, if there was a local product worth enough, cargo could happen on a smaller scale.

For example: if Lewis County had a Cattlemen’s Association dedicated to producing the highest grade Wagyu beef, and an abattoir devoted to handling it at the required standard, that’s a product of such high value it would be worth flying it to Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, LA, and possibly points east if demand was there.  The restaurants or other clients that could afford that product are not likely to be much affected by economic downturns.  And, once you have a reason like highest grade Wagyu, other things that crowd likes, like organic produce, can hitch a ride.  An operation on that scale wouldn’t likely require larger planes.  Also, as a side benefit, the abbatoir could process other exotic meats like buffalo, elk, ostrich for the same market, along with being able to process less expensive beef or game for local population.

Another possibility is shipping pets or livestock.  I don’t think you can get a racehorse or other high performance horse in anything smaller than a commercial jet, but for smaller animals TDO could serve as a home base perhaps, working like an air taxi service.

AIR TAXI:

TDO is a decent place to set up shop being between Seattle and Portland, again somewhat limited by the runway if executive jets can’t use it.  Charter services are something that people who can afford it will still afford it in difficult times.  In fact, such people if they had to scale back would tend to sell off their private jets and use a charter service more.

A service like LifeFlight might also be able to be based at TDO.

Operations for both might actually be simplified by not being based at a large airport.

STATE WILDFIRE SERVICE:

The tankers that drop fire retardant on wildfires are mostly converted from old commercial jets, so runway becomes and issue for anything more than small spotter aircraft.

However, if TDO could handle the planes it would be far better to run them out of a less busy airport than Sea-Tac or Portland.  As far as I’m aware, they operate mostly on the east slope of the Cascades, but recent events suggest having a dedicated base on the West side might be a good idea.  This would be Washington Dept of Natural Resources that runs or contracts out for these services.

AVIATION SCHOOL:

Would be limited to the kinds of planes that can use TDO’s runway, but is well located in the sense that the local airspace is fairly open unlike the crowding around larger airports.

GENERAL AVIATION/ RECREATION FLIGHTS:

Open airspace makes TDO an excellent location for general aviation and recreational flights like skydiving, tours, aerobatics or other small-plane competitions, or gliding.  With sufficient hangar space and maintenance facilities, TDO could be more of a draw for this, and General Aviation is something large airports would love to have out of their hair.  Making TDO more of a draw for this looks like an excellent fit for local use, and if it was established and known for this it would help support an aviation school.

Who else might we attract:

CIVIL AIR PATROL:

Affiliated with the Air Force.  We do not have a local wing.  Depending on the size and resources of the wing, it operates more like a club that pools resources to support owning and operating a few planes for its members to have access to flying.  Often involved in search and  rescue.  It has a cadet branch that provides a path to a pilot’s license that is also available to high school students, especially ones preparing for an officer track into the Air Force.

THE 99’s:

International organization of women pilots originally established by women who flew support in WWII.  A club whose local chapters also pool resources to own and operate a few planes, and which supports women pursuing a pilots license.

INTERNATIONAL AEROBATICS CLUB:

Has local chapters involved in aerobatics sport, training and competition.

EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION:

Another international organization with local chapters for enthusiasts.

SOARING SOCIETY OF AMERICA

Devoted to gliding, training glider pilots, connecting gliders with resources and places to fly, conventions…