Updated December 2004

Trinity County is in process to revalidate the site selection completed in 2002. The first public orientation meeting was held 11/10/04. A PDF version of the meeting handout is available online. The Weaverville airport relocation project Environmental Assessment and Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will need to be revised.

"The Economic Impact on Trinity County of Constructing and Operating the Musser Hill Airport at Weaverville, CA."

Read the study done by Dr. David E. Gallo (PDF 310K), Center for Economic Development, CA State University, Chico; September 20, 2003. This is the report mentioned many times over the last months in local newspapers.

Although the final conclusion in the report is "Construction of a new airport at Musser Hill is not justified on economic grounds", there are many positive points in the report that are pretty pro-airport.

Here are some bullet points to think about when reading the report:

• If a new airport is not built, it is highly unlikely that the FAA will allow operations at the current Weaverville airport to continue.
  
• The report says operations are in the magnitude of 1,000 per year. This number is probably very low since many people do not fly into Weaverville because of its current condition and approach and departure problems. Although local pilots may not "have a problem" with the current Weaverville airport, many transient pilot are uncomfortable flying into the current airport. Nearly all incidences that have occurred at the current Weaverville airport have involved transient pilots. But, transient pilot bring tourism dollars to the county and we do not want to scare them away.
  
• If a fuel concession is added, operation numbers will go up.
  
• Other factors that should increase airport operations is the steady population growth in the area. Currently Weaverville Airport serves 1/2 of the total population of Trinity County. And, if the current hospital operation are converted to a "hospital" clinic than there will likely be a need for more air transport.
  
• The new FAA sport class license will impact operations at all general aviation airports, not just the new Weaverville airport. (An overview of the Light Sport Class License restrictions: Day operations only, visibility must be 3 miles or greater, operations must be in Class G and E airspace, flights can not be for compensation or hire, flights must be below 10,000’ MSL, may not tow any object, and the aircraft must only hold 1 or 2 occupants, be a single engine, have a maximum stall speeds of 45 knots, and a maximum airspeed 120 kts.)
  
• It is highly unlikely that Trinity Center and Hayfork airports can not absorb the need and facilities that our growing county will require. It is more likely that Benton Airport in Shasta County will fill the need if a new Weaverville airport is not built. Why give away county revenue monies?
  
• We must plan for the future generations and the decades ahead of us, not only for today. Our youth and future generations should have the opportunity to experience and explore aviation, just like we have.
  
• Trinity County is first in line for fuel con session approval, if a new airport is constructed.

Supervisors also authorized and approved the Director of Building and Development Services to apply for State Matching Funds for each Grant and accepts the State matching Grants and authorize the Directors signature on the State Matching Grant Offers upon receipt. This grant is a part of the 2003 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AIP Grant Offers.

Emerging increases in the Trinity County recreation and tourist industries include dependence on aviation facilities and their related services. Commercial, industrial and residential land development is concentrated in the vicinity of the communities of Weaverville, Hayfork, Lewiston, Hyampom, Junction City, Douglas City and Trinity Center. Land development in the vicinity of Weaverville is concentrated along two state highways, SR 299 and SR 3. The existing Weaverville Airport is located in the northern portion of Weaverville adjacent to SR