Security fencing on horizon for I.V. Airport
From our weekly issue dated June 18, 2008
Grants totaling $197,600 for planning and design at the Grants Pass and Illinois Valley airports were accepted 3-0 during the weekly business meeting of the Josephine County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, June 11 in Anne G. Basker Auditorium in Grants Pass.
Funding is from the Federal Aviation Administration.
County Airports Manager Alex Grossi stated that of the $102,600 grant specific to Illinois Valley, $55,000 will go to pay for the airport layout plan update process, and $47,000 will be used to design a perimeter fence.
It’s anticipated that the master planning process will include four public meetings for input, and formation of a committee to conduct the update, Grossi explained.
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In response to a question from Merlin resident Holger Sommer about the cost for just the design portion of the fence project, Grossi replied that the 13,000 feet of fence will cross some culverts. There are environmental concerns about crossing swales and drainage, according to Grossi.
The fence will follow the current perimeter, defined on the west side by a 4-foot-high wire fence, and should provide security against livestock and humans, Grossi stated.
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Commissioner Dave Toler asked if there was anyway to ameliorate the aesthetic effect of the fence at the south end of the I.V. Airport property adjacent to the Rough & Ready Botanical Wayside. Illinois Valley resident Roger Brandt asked that consideration be given to the ability to use the area as a tourist attraction in the future.
Grossi replied that the materials used were spelled out by FAA, and that while it might be possible to use a different color of chain-link fencing, for instance, he expressed doubt that FAA would pay for it.
~Michelle Binker
