PORT ANGELES — Before the city removes trees in the airport approach at Lincoln Park to meet Federal Aviation Administration requirements, it should have a plan for using the newly cleared ground.
That’s the message Deputy Recreation Director Bill Sterling gave to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission at its Thursday night meeting.
“I’d like to see what we want to do. We need a plan before it happens or else we are going to lose a good opportunity,” Sterling said.
Several fir trees at Lincoln Park have grown too tall to comply with federal regulations governing the approach for both private planes and airliners using William R. Fairchild International Airport.
Airport Manager Jeff Robb outlined the need for removing the trees for the parks board last April.
Robb said the airport had already given up 1,350 feet of the 6,350-foot runway because of trees in the approach zone.
Change approaches?
The airport could lose even more runway length or be forced to change its runway approaches if the trees aren’t removed, he told the parks board last April.
The airport’s approach zones must be clear so planes can circle to make another approach at the runway.
A survey to determine what trees must be removed, planned for last June, was delayed until next month.
Whether to top the trees or remove them will be the City Council’s decision.
