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County in early talks with Navy on possible land swap; process could take years
Summary
County staff said unsolicited county queries and preliminary discussions with Navy representatives are underway about a potential land swap; Navy and Training Air Wing 5 involvement was reported and staff estimated a 3–4 year process if pursued.
County staff told the advisory group that the county has initiated preliminary, unsolicited conversations with the Navy about a potential land swap that could affect regional airfields.
"There's obviously two phases here," Speaker 4 said, describing the need to identify a parcel that meets the Navy's needs and noting that the Navy has not yet committed to specific restrictions or parcels. Speaker 5 said Navy representatives engaged in the discussions include Training Air Wing 5 leadership, safety and operations teams and base command staff, and that a formal request would need to come to the County Commission to begin the official process.
Speaker 5 cautioned that no decisions have been made and that, if a formal exchange proceeds, the timeline from initial request to conclusion could be about three to four years. He also noted that Title 10 permissions used in a past land swap could streamline some aspects but that county due diligence remains necessary.
Why it matters: a land swap involving the Navy could shift aviation traffic patterns, influence economic development opportunities around Santa Rosa County and affect long-term planning for Peter Prince Airport. Staff described the conversations as preliminary and promised to keep the advisory group involved as details develop.
