TIW Environmental Assessment

About

To comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) design standards, Pierce County completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) in April for several projects proposed at the Tacoma Narrows Airport over the next five years (2022 – 2026). These projects include: 

  • Obstruction Removal: Evaluation of trees on airport property that penetrate the airport Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 77 surfaces, and potential removal of obstructions, 
  • Taxiway A Relocation, Taxiway B4 Relocation and Apron Expansion, 
  • Stormwater Pond Relocation: Relocation of an existing stormwater pond to accommodate the Taxiway A Relocation. 

These projects will improve safety at the airport and bring the runway and taxiway at Tacoma Narrows Airport in compliance with current FAA standards.

These projects do not include a runway extension, and do not affect the type or size of aircraft that currently operate at the airport.

A public comment period was held from February 15- March 17, 2022. Comments were shared with the FAA and responses were captured in Appendix G in the final EA document. After final review, the FAA issued a Finding of No Significant Impact on April 25th.

The next step will be the design phase of the projects. This phase is expected to be finished in May 2023 with construction beginning in the same year.  

These projects were previously identified as part of the Airport Master Plan for Tacoma Narrows Airport, which was completed by Pierce County in 2016. The County then received FAA approval and funding to proceed with the Environmental Assessment. The EA is required so that Pierce County can then apply for FAA funding for design and construction of these projects, over the next five years. The process is shown in the graphic below:

Figure 1 - Updated Opens in new window

Click graphic above to enlarge

The projects include:

  • Obstruction Removal & Fencing
    • Remove existing tree obstructions to navigation to improve safety. Install fencing to keep wildlife outside of operational areas.
  • Taxiway A Relocation & Stormwater Pond Relocation
    • Stormwater Pond Relocation – Relocate/replace existing open-air stormwater facility to allow for relocation of parallel Taxiway A.
    • Parallel Taxiway A – Meet FAA design standard for runway- taxiway separation.
    • Taxiway B4 – Eliminate direct access to runway to enhance pilot awareness, improve safety, and meet FAA design standards.
Timeline

Contact

Rod Propst
Airport Manager
[email protected]
(253) 798-8551 

Final Environmental Assessment and FONSI Documents

Final Environmental Assessment

Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

Funding

90% funded through an Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant from the FAA. The remaining funds are covered by Pierce County.

If the projects proceed forward, future phases of the projects (design and construction) are also anticipated to be funded by 90% FAA AIP grants for all eligible costs. The County will also be applying for matching funds through other sources, including the Washington State Department of Transportation Aviation Division.

202104_AF_EA_Timeline_v2