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Tarpon Airport project moves forward as FAA, MassDOT reviews continue
Summary
The commission reviewed a final aeronautical study submitted to the FAA that identifies tree obstructions and prioritized removals, and discussed permitting and environmental reviews for a proposed fuel farm and taxiway Alpha as FAA and MassDOT grant steps proceed.
The Tarpon Municipal Airport Commission on Sept. 24 reviewed a final aeronautical-study package sent to the Federal Aviation Administration and heard an update on permitting for a proposed fuel farm and taxiway relocation.
The airport's airport manager and engineer said the study lists trees and other obstructions that fall within defined protected-surfaces clearances. "It shows all the trees that are obstructions, stuff that's within 20 feet of being an obstruction, within 10 feet of being an obstruction," the airport manager said, adding that on-airport trees would be targeted first and off-airport removals could require eminent-domain procedures.
Why it matters: Removing obstructions is required to protect aircraft approaches and to qualify for certain federal and state funding; the permitting process also triggers environmental reviews that can affect schedule and scope.
Details from the meeting: The airport reported a signed FAA grant offer and that the MassDOT aeronautics grant offer remained pending. Next steps listed by staff include completing the MassDOT grant contract, filing required Notices of Intent, and moving forward with Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act steps and an ANRAD conservation-commission review. The commission was given a schedule of upcoming scoping and permitting meetings: a capital-improvement (CIP) coordination meeting with MassDOT and the FAA on Sept. 29, and Teams scoping meetings in October (fuel farm permitting Oct. 14; taxiway Alpha permitting Oct. 15).
Airport staff also reported inspections and compliance items tied to the fuel-farm project: the fuel-farm spill buckets passed hydrostatic testing and the third-party inspection was submitted to DEM. Staff noted wetlands were flagged in the project area and that additional delineation and ANRAD steps remain.
What the commission decided: Commissioners accepted the engineer's report at the meeting and directed staff to continue environmental and permitting work toward project closeout at the end of the month.
Next steps: Staff will continue responding to FAA and MassDOT comments, complete required ANRAD/MEPA work, and pursue the scheduled scoping meetings; commissioners asked staff to bring back any identified grant-assurance constraints affecting use of airport property.
