Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Airport reconfirms study, costs

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By PAT MURPHY
Express Staff Writer

Rejecting a political candidate's campaign claims about the proposed replacement airport for Friedman Memorial, two airport officials last week reconfirmed official decisions that contradict the candidate, who apparently had not attended meetings where details of the proposed new field were discussed several times during site selection studies.

Sun Valley City Council candidate Dewayne Briscoe had been quoted as saying that "FAA funding for the project will only be about one-half what is needed," while "the rest will come from Blaine County taxpayers, with a majority of that coming from the North Valley, be it in the form of bonds or property assessment." Briscoe also suggested no economic study would be conducted into the impact of a new, distant airport site.

During a meeting of the Blaine County Leadership Council, which is composed of mayors of cities in the county, Airport Authority chair Martha Burke rebuked Briscoe, saying up to 90 percent of the new field's estimated costs of $180 million would be funded by the Federal Aviation Administration. At least $40 million to $50 million of that would come from sale of Friedman land financed by the FAA over the years.

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Airport Manager Rick Baird also pointed out that the new FAA-funded Environmental Impact Study managed by the international firm of Landrum & Brown includes an economic study.