SANDPOINT — The Board of County Commissioners approved several work orders for the Sandpoint and Priest River airports in connection to airport safety and hangar leases.  

On Tuesday, Dave Schuck, Bonner County Airports manager, presented four action items during the Bonner County business meeting, all of which were approved by county commissioners.  

The first work order will allow for the removal of obstructions inside the Sandpoint Airport’s runway protection zone and approach surfaces, specifically trees.  The total amount for the work order is $137,603 — 97.5% of which is covered by FAA and ITD grants. The county is responsible for $3,440.  

Shuck said the project will include the removal of trees from three parcels, totaling 4.5 acres. The large cost associated with obstruction removal is related to the location of the trees being removed.  

“From a cost standpoint, there will be some traffic management involved, because the trees are just right alongside Boyer Road and we'll need to possibly close that road while that work is being done,” Schuck said. “Then there'll also be some public outreach, because that's a very visible portion of the project. In Sandpoint, the public likes to be involved in the removal of any trees.” 

The second work order anticipates the acquisition of four separate parcels. The acquisitions of the parcels are necessary for Sandpoint Airport to comply with FAA airport design, according to draft documents presented to the BOCC. Complying with the design will protect the runway protection zones from obstructions or incompatible land usage. The order requires a $13,421 match. 

"What we're trying to do is mitigate these safety issues by acquiring this land for the portions that are in the runway protection zone,” said Schuck. It was noted in the business meeting that original owners of the land parcels are willing sellers.  

The third work order extends domestic water lines at the Priest River Airport near existing hangers and will tie into the north end of the airport. The water line will serve as fire protection and is required for future taxi lane construction. The order requires a $748.68 county match.  

The final work order allows a survey to take place for new hangar lease lots at the Priest River airport. The survey, according to Schuck, will occur after the taxi lanes have been paved and final grading is complete — which is expected in late spring. Included in the work order is a survey for water and sewer mains on the airport for a utility easement. As part of the survey, four lots will be created for lease. The survey results will allow for a description and exhibit map of the easement area. The county match for item four requires a county match of about $502.  

All four motions passed with unanimous approval with commissioners Brian Domke, Asia Williams and Ron Korn all voting in favor.