2002 IN REVIEW
Blaine Airport Commission

By Doug Fenton

It has been a busy year for the airport. The trees at the south end are not down yet, but we are getting close. The council condemned an easement over the area where the trees are located and obtained a court order granting them the right to enter the land and cut down the trees. They should be gone soon.

The airport has been added to the NPIAS list, a necessary step in obtaining federal grant funding for airport improvements. The council has commissioned a feasibility study to determine whether or not the airport should be expanded.

Next year, we plan to selectively remove some trees in the approach zone at the north end and, funding permitting, to construct an aircraft parking area at the northeast corner to facilitate the use of the Blaine International Center by transient aircraft. We have applied for a federal planning grant to prepare an Airport Master Plan. If the results of the feasibility study are positive and the council gives its blessing, we will be applying for more federal, state and private grants to begin an expansion of the airport which would make it much safer and, we believe, would encourage new businesses to locate in Blaine. It is our intention that the proposed expansion would not create any tax burden on the citizens of Blaine.