by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Perhaps lost in the shuffle of community outrage, funding questions and City Council opposition to the Jacksonville Aviation Authority’s desire to extend one of the two runways at Craig Airport is the opinion of the governing body that has the final say on the project.
Regardless what the Aviation Authority wants, if the Federal Aviation Administration doesn’t approve of major facets of the proposed extension — funding and an environmental assessment — the project will never get off the ground.
“We are looking at the benefit to cost analysis,” said JAA Director of External Affairs Michael Stewart. “We are in the process of getting the environmental assessment to see if it’s even feasible.”
Stewart said if the FAA determines the project would cause irreparable environmental damage, the Aviation Authority will have no choice but to abandon the proposal.
Even if the FAA approves the extension, Stewart said funding becomes the next major hurdle. He said the cost of the extension is a figure that depends partly on the environmental impact of the runway on the surrounding area, but mostly on construction costs.
“The early estimate is about $20 million, but it may be closer to $15 million,” said Stewart, adding the runway would need navigational aids and taxi work done. “The environmental impact may be zero, but if we have 100 gopher tortoises we have to relocate...”
Stewart said there’s no timeline attached to the project. In one form or another, it’s on the Council agenda. While Council has a legislative say in the matter, the federal agency remains the Aviation Authority’s greatest hurdle.
“Right now, it’s a step-by-step process,” said Stewart. “If the cost analysis is acceptable to the FAA, then we can start the environmental.”
Stewart said if an environmental assessment is done, it would take 18-24 months. If an environmental impact study is necessary, it’ll take 24-36 months. Stewart added public hearings are required for both.
City Council member Bill Bishop is vehemently opposed to the project, which is in his Arlington Council district.
“What I hear is everything is in limbo. I am not sure what that means,” said Bishop. “I know the Aviation Authority wants to do the project. They make that clear in their meetings.”
Bishop said one of the keys to understanding the project has been time and education. A year ago, Bishop — like several others — was relatively new to Council. Since then, he has devoted a lot of time to learning about the project and legal aspects.
“I feel better than I did a year ago. I am a lot smarter. I didn’t know anything a year ago when this started,” said Bishop. “The Aviation Authority thought they could buffalo this through Council.”
Bishop said discussions with the Office of General Counsel have convinced him the proposed extension is not a federal decision. He understands the FAA must fund the project and must do its environmental due diligence. However, from a legislative standpoint, the matter rests with Council.
“What I am pretty confident of is that the runway extension is purely a local decision,” said Bishop.
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