Seaplane Base
Dear Editor: It looks like the ill-conceived seaplane base is a done deal except to tie up the permits and FAA paperwork requirements. I am disappointed that in 17 years of planning (start 2002) there have been no public discussions of site selection and public input up until the meeting Dec. 11, 2019.
The site selected will put a 1,000-foot industrial-size seaplane facility stretching into Western anchorage, the only protected anchorage for the seasonal fishing fleet. Since the site is sequestered behind Coast Guard locked gates, one cannot even view it from land.
The only access to the selected site is though the CG base close to the CG enlisted housing. Or if the fence is taken down access is through Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital campus and Mt. Edgecumbe High School campus.
Isn’t it time we got float planes out of Sitka Channel? Considering the new Seaplane Base is supposed to bring in millions of dollars of economic growth, we can expect two to four times the traffic of take-offs and landings. Does a float plane doing 30 miles per hour through a crowded harbor system sound safe to you? If my boat at 30 miles per hour threw no more wake than a float plane, does it mean it is OK for me to do 30 mph through the harbor system? Of course not! Then why do we allow float planes to do it?
The FAA promises to pick up 93% of the cost, which leaves Sitka taxpayers on the hook for over $1 million, not to mention road construction and infrastructure costs. The people pushing for this base claim it will be self-supporting. HA! If it is so likely to be self-supporting, why hasn’t a commercial entity built the base with profit in mind?
At this point in time we need to go back to site planning so the location fits into a logical place for an industrial-scale seaplane base. It does not belong in the middle of a hospital zone, a school zone, a residential zone and a boat anchorage!
Bill Marx, Sitka
Thanks to Emblem Club
Dear Editor: We want to say a special thank you to the Sitka Emblem Club for their warm hospitality, time and a very nice celebration of life for Ruby Lanham Howard on Dec. 7.
Much gratitude,
The Howard Family
