The proposed project is the implementation of the 2030 Airport Master Plan (AMP). This includes a variety of project elements that would be implemented at the Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport (Airport) over the course of the next twenty years. The AMP includes project elements related to maintaining and improving Airport safety, and maintaining and upgrading Airport facilities.
In November 2005, Congress mandated that all airports with scheduled airline service be brought into conformance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards for Runway Safety Areas (RSA) by 2015. The Airport has two runways in a “V” configuration. The approach ends of Runways 14 and 19 are co-located and are not in compliance with current FAA design standards regarding runway ends. This proposed project addresses these runway safety area issues.
The FAA’s Runway Safety Action Team (RSAT) is a multi-disciplinary group that is charged with identifying means of improving safety at airports. The RSAT prepared a Runway Safety Action Plan that indicates that the co-located approach ends of Runways 14 and 19 could lead to pilot confusion. This issue remains an ongoing, potential risk identified at the Airport. The RSAT recommends that the Airport eliminate the existing condition of the co-located approach ends of Runway 14 and Runway 19 by de-coupling the two runways. Extension of the two runways was intended to address this issue. The Runway Safety Action Plan also included recommendations for modifying taxiways, airfield signage, and pavement marking. The proposed project includes means of implementing or addressing all of the items in the Runway Safety Action Plan.
The forecasts developed for the EIR identify the mix of aircraft that are projected to use the Airport. The forecasts acknowledge that different types of aircraft are projected to use the Airport as a result of the implementation of the proposed project.