SANDPOINT — Bonner County commissioners unanimously voted to proceed with the obstruction removal project at Sandpoint Airport.  

Commissioners approved a notice to proceed for the project, a key document within construction or project management, signifying permission to commence work on a project — the document establishes an official start date for the project. 

The project is scheduled to be completed by Dec. 1. 

The project was originally approved at the beginning of the year and funded by the Federal Aviation Administration to obtain access to property and remove trees at the end of the airport runways, as required by FAA regulations.  

Obstruction removal, according to airports manager Dave Schuck in a February business meeting, is slated to cost $137,603 — 97.5% of which is covered by FAA and ITD grants. The county is responsible for $3,440. 

Schuck 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.