The proposed action is for Trinity County to construct a new airport near the community of Weaverville. Refereed to as the near-term (0-5 years) project development, the proposed action includes approval of

• a revised Weaverville Airport Master Plan (WAMP)
• environmental documentation in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
• land acquisition
• airport and infrastructure construction

These actions are subject to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) review and funding.

New airport project development includes:

• A single bi-directional general utility runway, with lengths up 5,200 feet and 75 feet wide, the Musser Hill Alternative would have provisions for runway extension to 7,000 feet
• A parallel taxiway
• Up to 1,700 feet of safety zone on each end of the runway
• Heliport
• Fixed-based and transient aircraft parking
• Hangers
• Fueling facilities
• Aviation services support and administration buildings
• New warning beacons on the airport and on surrounding obstructions
• A new access road and an improved service road
• A commercial development area, as identified in the Weaverville Airport Master Plan, would be constructed adjacent to the airport to provide developable areas for aviation-compatible facilities

Future airport development might include an intermediate (6-10 years) period and a long-term (11-20 years) of continued aviation compatible development and the possible expansion of the runway to its maximum length of 7,000 feet. (The environmental effects of complete airport buildout are discussed in the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (DPEIR) prepared for this project in accordance with CEQA.)

The need for a new airport to provide for anticipated annual aircraft operations has been identified in the Trinity County Regional Transportation Plan (1996), Weaverville Airport Master Plan (1994) and the Interregional California Aviation System Plan for the County of Trinity.

Twelve alternative locations were originally evaluated for this project. Four existing county owned airports were also considered as alternative sites to replace the existing Weaverville Airport. However, all four existing sites were rejected as not meeting the purpose and need of the proposed action.

Three alternative airport sites most closely fit the new airport requirements and that have been evaluated for the Environmental Assessment and the accompanying DPEIR.

Trinity County Department of Transportation operates five general aviation airports that provide a variety of aviation services throughout the county. The airports located in Weaverville, Hayfork, Hyampom, Ruth and Trinity Center provide critical transportation links between isolated mountain communities and metropolitan centers in northern California and southern Oregon. They also boost economic viability of local industry by providing increased access for tourists and business community members. Most Trinity County airports support Design Group 1 Aircraft (need to define), with wingspans up to 49 feet. The five airports currently support about 57,000 operations annually.

General aviation demand within the county is expected to increase as local recreational opportunities expand. The development of tourism-related industry is expected to increase general aviation demand at all five airports. The relocation and upgrades of the Weaverville Airport is expected to increase significantly. If the airport remains at its current location, Weaverville Airport is expected to have 22,000 operations annually by the year 2020. If the airport is relocated and upgraded, approximately 34,000 operations are expected annually by the year 2020.

Resources

Weaverville Airport Environmental Impact Report, Section 1.1