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The Voice of General Aviation in Montana
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Subject: Letters-of-Support to Rehberg for Gardiner Airport
We've been asked to send the following out to our e-mail group concerning the Gardiner Airport. Letters-of-Support to Jim Greil at Montana Aeronautics are needed. Gardiner is a Gateway into Yellowstone Park. Some history of the Gardiner Airport: Gardiner did a Master Plan and EA back in the late 80's & early 90's. The FAA project died at this stage for only a couple of reasons. Since then, the County, community, and MT Aeronautics have pulled together to improve and pave the strip without federal assistance. The State owns a triangular wedge of land that the airport occupies. The State has been jacking up the lease to the point where it is ridiculous and unaffordable to the County. Over the last three years or so, they have been working all the angles to acquire the land they need to keep the airport open and not break the bank - including participation by the Aeronautics Board (political not financial assistance). The appraised value (by the State) is also outrageous (approximately $180,000 to acquire what they should, approximately $94,000 to acquire the bare minimum). Anyhow, we've managed to get Rehberg to submit this as a line item appropriation to acquire the land they need from the State. We feel this is a very important strip. Here are two excerpts from the last Aeronautics application: County commissioner successfully negotiated the $9,371/yr rate for the State land lease down to $4,305/yr in 2002 that will then escalate by 20% each year for the next 5yrs, when the property will be reappraised and lease rates determined again. (1) Please briefly describe the current use and importance of this airport: (1) The airport is currently used by general aviation (GA) traffic. It is the last airport in Montana along the Yellowstone River prior to entering Yellowstone National Park. It is also the only paved strip in that valley. The West Yellowstone Airport is the closest public airport facility at 27 nm. All others are over 40 nm including Ennis, Livingston and Bozeman. So, it serves as an important alternate landing location for long distance flights through that area. The heaviest use of the facility is by governmental agencies, including the Forest Service and various State agencies. These agencies are involved in activities that range from fire suppression to wildlife counts and studies. The Airport also serves as an important component of the Park County and Yellowstone Park tourism industry. The airport facilitates about 2 air ambulance operations per year. Gardiner Airport has about 9-based aircraft and supports 11,000 annual operations. The airport has 24-hour 100LL, 130, and Jet A available. Help the Gardiner Airport continue to exist. Preferably e-mail a letter of support to Jim Greil at the MT Aeronautics Division. He will gather and send them. Alternately mail it. Time is of the essence - don't delay. jgreil@state.mt.us Jim Greil Chief of Airports / Airways Bureau Montana Department of Transportation, Aeronautics Division 2630 Airport Road Helena, Montana 59604 tele: (406) 444-2506 fax: (406) 444-2519 Thanks Rick Donaldson, P.E. Robert Peccia and Associates - Airports Division P.O. Box 5653 Helena, MT 59604 Tele: (406) 447-5000 Fax: (406) 447-5036 Email: rick@rpa-hln.com |