Draft Master Plan Information

What is an Airport Master Plan?

An Airport Master Plan is a study used to determine the long-term development requirements for an airport.

What is the goal or purpose of the Airport Master Plan?

The primary goal of an airport master plan is to provide guidance for future airport development, which will provide the facilities needed to satisfy forecast demand, while at the same time balancing the need for airport improvements with local concerns.

What is the time period covered by the Airport Master Plan?

An Airport Master Plan typically covers a twenty (20) year time period. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends airport sponsors, such as the County, update airport master plans every 10 years. The previous Master Plan for STS was completed in 1998.

What are the components of an Airport Master Plan?

The components of an airport master plan are established by the FAA. They include an inventory, surveys, and data collection; aviation activity forecasts; demand and capacity analysis; determination of facility requirements; identification of issues; development of alternatives and concepts; a financial plan; environmental review/analysis; an implementation plan; and the updating of Airport Layout Plan (ALP) documents in accordance with Federal airport operating and design standards.

Why is the STS Master Plan being updated?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends updating Airport Master Plans every 10 years. The County initiated this master plan update to plan for the safe and efficient operation of STS, while addressing airport improvement needs as well as community concerns.

Who directs the development of Sonoma County Airport?

The County, as the owner and proprietor of the Sonoma County Airport, determines how STS will be developed.  The FAA provides guidance in order to ensure that proposed airport facilities meet important safety standards.

Does the draft Airport Master Plan update forecast greater levels of activity than the forecasts that were used for the General Plan Air Transportation Element (ATE) or the Sonoma County Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP)?

No.  The draft Master Plan actually forecasts lower numbers of based aircraft, lower levels of aircraft operations, and lower numbers of passengers than the forecasts that were used for the ATE and the CLUP. A comparison of the three forecasts is provided below*:

Does the draft Airport Master Plan update call for an expansion of the number of aircraft and the level of activity at STS beyond the limits that were adopted in the Sonoma County General Plan Air Transportation Element (ATE)?

No. The draft Master Plan update does not forecast or call for an expansion of the number of aircraft or the level of activity at STS beyond the limits that were adopted in the Sonoma County General Plan Air Transportation Element (ATE).

What types of improvements are analyzed in the draft Airport Master Plan update for STS? How were these improvements identified?

The Master plan consultant analyzed existing facilities and forecast demand for a twenty-year period into the future. Several facility requirements were identified for STS, including extensions of runways 14 and 19, construction of a runway 32 service road, construction of an aircraft rescue and firefighting building, construction of a terminal, rehabilitation of apron areas, relocation of the Air Traffic Control Tower, installation of lights on runway 1-19, and several other projects necessary to maintain current facilities. Several alternative scenarios were developed using various layouts and locations for development. The various recommendations will be analyzed with the goal of maximizing safety and operational efficiency, while minimizing costs and environmental impacts.

Was the proposal to lengthen the runways and add new facilities made to accommodate larger or noisier aircraft at STS?

No. Longer runways are needed to accommodate 50 to 70-seat Regional Jet (RJ) aircraft that are smaller than the Q-400 used by Horizon Air. Most airlines wishing to provide service to our community would like to start out using Regional Jets. RJs are quiet technology aircraft that meet the limits established in the ATE. Due to the performance characteristics of some of the RJs, longer runways are needed in order to (1) provide service at STS, and (2) to increase the number of destinations available from STS.

Why were the new runway lengths chosen?

The runway lengths chosen by the County for further study are a compromise. Longer runways could have been justified based on historical temperatures and their effect on aircraft performance. 

Who will pay for projects recommended in the Master Plan?

There will be no direct costs to the taxpayers of Sonoma County because airport development is paid for through a mix of both federal and local airport funds. These funds include Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Funds from the FAA.  AIP Funds are derived from taxes on national and international travel, air cargo taxes, and noncommercial aviation fuel.   Ultimately, it is the users of STS who fund the local share for improvements through rent, fees, passenger facility charges and purchases at STS.

Currently, funding for the majority of the projects is as follows:

What are the largest aircraft currently operating at STS?

Currently, Gulfstream 500s, Global Express jets, and the Boeing Business Jet, (a version of the Boeing 737), are the largest aircraft that operate at STS. These jets are among the quietest aircraft that use STS. These modern aircraft are used for corporate/business activity, and have wingspans of approximately 115 feet. Larger aircraft are not anticipated at STS in the future because of runway weight restrictions.

Why is Runway 14/32 the most utilized for takeoffs and landings at STS?

At STS, Runway 14/32 is the preferred runway for takeoffs and landings for the following reasons:

• Runways are selected based on their alignment with the prevailing wind conditions for that particular area, and our prevailing wind conditions favor this runway.
• Runway 32 is equipped with an Instrument Landing System (ILS). This allows landings on Runway 32 to occur under lower-visibility conditions.
• Runway 1-19 does not have lights or any precision landing aids.

When will the environmental review process begin, and when will the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) available for comment?

The County anticipates selecting an environmental consultant by the end of 2007 and the draft EIR should be completed by the end of 2008.

When will the Board of Supervisors approve the Master Plan update?

The Board of Supervisors cannot approve the Master Plan until environmental review is completed.  It is anticipated that action to approve the Master plan update will not take place until mid to late 2009. The Board of Supervisors will first be asked to accept the Master Plan update as substantially complete in October or early November 2007.  Acceptance does not constitute approval of the Master Plan update. This step is needed to start the environmental process and close out the grants with the FAA.

Will there be more airplanes at STS as a result of the Master Plan update?

The Master Plan Update itself does not cause or result in an increase in aviation activity, however the Master Plan Update does forecast an increase in aviation activity. As noted above, the draft Airport Master Plan update forecasts lower numbers of based aircraft, lower levels of aircraft operations, and lower numbers of passengers than the forecasts used for the Sonoma County General Plan Air Transportation Element (ATE) and the Sonoma County Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP).

What is the purpose of purchasing additional land around STS?

The purpose of purchasing additional land is to protect the approaches to the runways and to provide a noise buffer.

Will Horizon Air or other airlines increase the number of flights at STS?

Horizon has announced that it will be adding two additional flights on October 28^th.  STS is continuing to talk with other airlines about possible additional air service to destinations other than Los Angeles, Portland, and Seattle.

Does the proposed runway extension go over Redwood Creek?

The runway extension itself does not go over Redwood Creek; however, the extended runway safety area will go over the creek and necessitate the culverting of approximately 1,200 to 1,500 lineal feet of Redwood Creek. Note that there will be no impact to Mark West Creek as a result of the Master Plan Update and runway extension.

How do I comment on the Master Plan update?

Comments are being accepted throughout the Master Plan update process. Comments can be made at upcoming public meetings, by using the comment form on the STS website (www.sonomacountyairport.org), when the Master plan is presented to the Board of Supervisors, and during the Environmental review process.