Opponent Changes Her Mind On FAA Plan

Martin County commissioners could make a final decision Tuesday regarding the much-contested main runway at Witham Field (SUA.) But if they decide to fight the FAA ruling that would keep Witham from shortening runway 12/30... they may have to do so in court.

There's the possibility they might just find a way to play nice, as well. Commissioner Sarah Heard recently changed her mind regarding the installation of concrete pad "buffer areas" at the ends of the current the FAA offered as a solution, reports The Palm Beach Post, after voting earlier in favor of shortening the runway.

The initial estimated cost of 3.5 million for the buffer pads and the additional $5,000 for maintenance would have to be approved, but seems more likely than expanding the clear zone into the current location of the golf course.

The issues of noise and low-flying aircraft over local neighborhoods are not assessed in either current proposal. Cost and impact studies have left some unanswered questions for residents... and that leaves more than one county commissioner a little wary about Tuesday’s proceedings.

Runway length has been a point of contention since the runway was extended in 1998. Removal of the extension was shot down by the FAA originally in 2006, as ANN reported, though opponents have tried to work around the FAA's ruling.

The Witham Airport Action Majority suggests painting over the extension, and pushing the clear zone into the golf course, relocating at least one hole. That plan is similar to one put forth by the FAA in 1998; but county officials decided then to go the other direction. 

The golf course board president, Tom Kenney, doesn’t believe there is enough land to remodel if they lose a hole, fearing the intrusion would short-change them into a mini-course. Since the golf course shows up on the airport mapping, the FAA has a voice in what happens to the golf course.

The FAA has already invested in acquiring homes in the Runway Protection Zone, clearing airport departure zones so as not to have to shorten runway 12/30.

FMI: www.faa.gov, Martin County's Witham Field Site