FAA Says The They Create A Hazard In Bad Weather

The Hilton Head Town Council last week backed away from a proposed zoning change that would allow Beaufort County to clear cut trees that are encroaching on a runway at Hilton Head Island Airport. Both FAA and county officials say the trees may jeopardize federal airport grants, and may cause a reduction in scheduled air service at HXD.

There was heated debate over a proposal to have the county clear-cut the tree stand at the end of the runway. In light of the decision, the FAA has threatened to withhold federal grants for airport improvements, including tree-cutting.  "The tree obstructions have been noted for years," airport director Paul Andres said.

The FAA said it would pay for tree cutting or topping, but not ongoing maintenance. Spokeswoman Kathleen Bergan said the trees need to be removed because they violate federal guidelines. "The FAA will pay one time for the trees to be removed or topped, but we can only provide federal funding once," she said.

The Island Packet reports that the county had proposed clear cutting the trees to prevent ongoing maintenance costs, but opponents to that idea said it would damage the environment, which includes wetlands, and reduce the quality of life of nearby residents. But the trees are already at least partly responsible for a reduction in the number of passengers allowed on flights in and out of Hilton Head. If they continue to grow, the passenger load could be reduced even further. Commercial traffic is additionally limited by the length of the runway.

Federal and local officials say that during inclement weather, both private and commercial aircraft are already often diverted to a different runway at Hilton Head. Town Manager Steve Reley said it had been more than 10 years since any trees were cut on airport property. He said the issue will be brought up again late in December.

FMI: www.bcgov.net/Airport_HHI/welcome.php