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Contentious Issues Addressed in the Birchwood AMP Update:

• Birchwood Recreation & Shooting Park
• The plan does not recommend restrictions of the Birchwood Recreation & Shooting Park beyond the avigation easement that has been in place for many years.
• Runway Length
• The runway length will not be reduced. Recent FAA reauthorization language exempted Alaska from the requirement to reduce the runway length based on changes to critical aircraft.
• Instrument Approach
• The recommendation for a future instrument approach, as proposed in the 2005 master plan, was dropped because:
• An instrument approach is not required by the FAA based on the fleet mix utilizing the airport.
• Pilots did not express a need for the instrument approach during the planning process.
• An instrument approach would have expanded avigation easement needs, that would have potentially impacted:
• Eklutna, Inc., land
• Native Village of Eklutna culturally sensitive areas
• Uses at the Birchwood Recreation & Shooting Range Park.
• Public Private Partnership Agreement is not recommended at this time because:
• The airport is operational and profitable under DOT&PF ownership.
• Pilots voiced opposition to privatization due to fear of increased lease rates and restrictions
• Transfer to the Municipality of Anchorage is not recommended at this time because:
• The airport is operational and profitable under DOT&PF ownership.
• Pilots voiced opposition against the transfer due to fear of increased lease rates and restrictions
• Land Acquisition
• Although the master plan recommends acquisition of adjacent land for airport expansion as a long-term goal, there are no immediate plans or funding available for DOT&PF to pursue land acquisition.