Gardner City airport staff aim for 2026 FAA grant to buy airspace easements for tree clearing

Gardner City airport staff said at a recent commission meeting that they plan to pursue federal funding in fiscal year 2026 to acquire aviation easements and clear trees near the runway, after a wildlife hazard site visit identified animal incursions and obstructions.

Gail, speaking to the commission, said the Federal Aviation Administration informed staff during an October capital‑improvements meeting “that they would only fund clearing of the airport's visual approaches,” reducing the number of easements the airport needs to acquire and lowering the project scope. She said the draft obstruction‑study report and the environmental review process are under way and that the environmental assessment has been reduced to a documented categorical exclusion for trim clearing, easements and fence installation.

The issue matters because federal grants through the Airport…