Regional Jets at Friedman Memorial Airport (FMA) - In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared to evaluate environmental effects associated with proposed commercial scheduled regional jet operations at Friedman. SkyWest Airlines has made a request to the FAA to modify their operations specification (ops-spec) to fly CRJ700s at Friedman, thus triggering a CRJ700 specific EA.

New Updates:

• A Draft EA has been prepared and made available for public review and comment.
• Purpose of the EA is to provide of review of the environmental impacts for the change proposed and to provide disclosure of such to the public and decision makers.
• The FAA will use the EA to document whether significant environmental impact may occur.
• The number of flights per day studied in the EA was based on input provided by SkyWest. Due to the fact that the CRJ-700 carries more passengers, it is anticipated that the number of daily flights would go down.
• Overview of findings:
  • Slight reduction in size of noise contours.
  • No significant adverse impacts to any resources resulting from the proposed change.
• Next steps:
  • Public comments being received through October 12.
  • Comments to be reviewed and final EA documentation prepared by the Airport and FAA.
  • FAA makes finding.

Previous Updates:

• The Draft Environmental Assessment is available for viewing at Sun Valley City Hall, Hailey, Ketchum & Bellevue City Halls and libraries, online at www.flyfma.com and at the Airport Manager's office.

Improvements to Friedman Memorial Airport - The FAA has told us that FMA has design deficiencies that, if not remedied, could result in the reduction or elimination of some air service. As such, the FMAA has instructed airport staff to work with the FAA to explore what fixes can be made at the existing airport.   The FAA's Northwest Mountain Regional Office has determined the next steps are to execute a technical analysis of possible alternatives to provide a safer airport for the aircraft that use the airport currently (C-II and C-III).

New Updates:

• At the October 2 FMAA, Dave Mitchell of T-O Engineers gave an update on the progress to date on the Alternatives Technical Analysis.
• Eight (8) potential alternatives are in the process of being analyzed.
  • Four (4) that are in full compliance with FAA design standards
  • Four (4) that meet as many standards as possible, but would require some modification of standards to achieve compliance.
  • All eight (8) alternatives meet runway safety area (RSA) standards, as mandated by the FAA.
  • REMINDER: the goal of this effort is to develop alternatives that are technically feasible at the existing site, regardless of cost or potential environmental or social impact. Evaluation of alternatives and, ultimately, selection of preferred alternatives, if necessary, would be addressed as a part of a future planning study.
• Next steps are finalizing the alternatives, completing cost comparisons, meeting with the FAA Regional Office on Oct. 23 and finalizing the report.
• A final update will be presented at the Nov. 6 FMAA Board Meeting and the report will be submitted to the FAA on Nov. 9.

Pursuit of a replacement airport - A replacement airport is likely the best long-term solution for this community.  Critical components in the replacement airport process would include evaluating operational feasibility, identifying additional or new funding sources, and locating a feasible site and building community support.

New Updates:

• None

Previous Updates:

• The FAA believes that the Technical Analysis will provide the vital information required in order to continue the Environmental Impact Study discussion

Retain/Improve/Develop Air Service

New Updates:

• None

Previous Updates:

• The cities of Sun Valley, Ketchum and Hailey have all agreed to the addition of an air service local option tax (LOT) increase on the November ballot. If approved, the cities will increase their LOT by 1% to fund minimum-revenue-guarantees (MRGs) and the promotion of air service.

General

• The next Coffee Talk with Airport Manager, Rick Baird, is scheduled for October 16, 7:30 - 9:00AM at JAVA in Hailey.
• The next Airport Tour is scheduled for October 19 at 5:00-6:30PM. Space is limited, email cecilia@flyfma.com to save your space