Bonner County staff outline FAA-driven safety projects and through‑the‑fence development steps

Airport staff and engineering consultants briefed the advisory board on FAA capital improvement program (CIP) timelines and safety-driven projects at Sandpoint and Priest River airports.

Dave described recent federal planning discussions and said most large projects through 2031–2032 are safety-focused: runway widening at Priest River (from 48 to a 60-foot safety standard), obstruction removal, runway-end considerations that may require displaced thresholds or declared distances, and land acquisition where necessary. He said the FAA prioritized safety-related work over development projects and that some taxi-lane development would likely be delayed in FAA schedules unless private investment helps fund it.

Corey, the board's engineer, summarized a three-phase obstruction-removal program at Sandpoint that includes tree cutting on city property, girdling trees that intrude into airspace and clearing an RVZ parcel recently purchased by the county. He said work is expected to wrap in phases with seeding and post-construction restoration and that the AEGIS obstruction survey data has been accepted by the FAA and will feed an update to the airport layout plan (ALP).

Staff also reported a state grant for pavement maintenance at Priest River (crack sealing, seal coating and striping) and ongoing AIP grant amendments to fund a waterline extension related to hangar development. Through‑the‑fence access agreements for two private developments (Timberline and Boyer/Boyer Hangars) are advancing; staff said the county must align developer obligations, county needs and FAA regulation when crafting those agreements.

Ending: Staff will continue CIP coordination with the FAA, pursue grant amendments as needed and schedule project advisory and public meetings for ALP alternatives and obstruction-removal planning.