The first steps toward eventually recommending a site for a new airport to replace Friedman Memorial were taken this week as the Federal Aviation Administration and consultants Landrum & Brown began holding a series of meetings with government officials in Blaine, Camas and Lincoln counties to explain the process and hear their views.
These federally required meetings are but one phase. The Environmental Impact Statement study will probably continue for another two years and involve studies into climate, wildlife, economics, terrain and other technical aspects of locating a new airport.
Friedman Memorial has been declared unsafe by the FAA because some new aircraft operating there are too large and fast for the airport's original design.
At a meeting Monday, FAA planner and environmental specialists Cayla Morgan and Landrum & Brown vice president Dave Rickerson met with the Hailey City Council and Blaine County Commission, both of which are titular "owners" of the airport. Some 20 spectators who were only allowed to observe also attended in the Old County Courthouse conference room.
During the Hailey-Blaine meeting, one thing was made clear to the FAA and consultants: Neither the city nor the county would act as sponsor for a new airport located in the Bellevue Triangle. A "sponsor" is required before the FAA would approve any site.
The scene moved to the city of Shoshone Monday night, where city and Lincoln county officials were briefed because a potential site was designated just below the Blaine-Lincoln county line east of state Highway 75.
Tuesday night, the FAA and consultant were to meet in Fairfield, where a hotbed of opposition has developed to an airport in Camas County. No such indication has been made that Camas County would qualify, but since a site there was among those explored in the original selection study the FAA is required to hold this routine meeting.
Today, Feb. 13, similar meetings will be held at 10:30 a.m. with the Shoshone Bannock tribe's business council and at noon in Ketchum City Hall for the benefit of Ketchum and Sun Valley city officials. Northern Blaine County business and government officials have favored improving Friedman Memorial, despite FAA arguments about the current airport's immovable terrain problems and weather issues, and how much it would cost to relocate adjacent residential areas in order to comply with safety standards.
Wednesday night, Feb. 13, a meeting is scheduled at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls for Cassia and Minidoka county officials and officials of the cities of Twin Falls, Gooding and Jerome.
The Friedman Memorial Airport Authority's preferred site is in southern Blaine County.
