APPENDIX B
Survey Responses

Q1 - Please provide us with your contact information, position title

Airport Manager; Airport Operations Manager; or similar: 26

Airport Director; Director of Aviation; or similar: 20

Deputy Director or similar: 9

President; CEO; Commissioner: 3

Airport Board Member: 2

No title provided: 8

Q2 - Which category of airport do you represent? - selected choice

Large Hub: 5

Medium Hub: 5

Small Hub: 14

Non-Hub Primary: 34

General Aviation - Public Use: 2

General Aviation - Private Use: 0

Other (Please elaborate): 3

Q3 - Does your state authorize local governments to adopt airspace protection?

Yes: 43

No: 3

Do not know: 16

Q4 - Does your state require local governments to adopt airspace protection (height and/or land use protection)?

Yes: 26

No: 18

Do not know: 18

Q5 - Does your state aviation agency offer services or support to help your airport address obstruction issues (e.g., site visits, GIS tools, web portals, or similar resources)?

Yes: 34

No: 27

Q5-1 - What services or support to your airport to address obstruction issues are provided by the state? Check all that apply. - Selected Choice

GIS: 11

State software system: 2

Site visits: 22

Other, please describe: 7

• PCI
• [State] has a tall structures act that gives them some level of authority.
• Funding
• Review and comment on compatibility of land use surrounding airports.
• Review of FAA Determinations for GA Airports, not normally for DAY
• Drone with mapping capabilities that indicates obstruction height
• Obstruction survey of RWY approaches.

Q6 - Does your airport leverage FAA resources for support of obstruction removal/mitigation management (e.g., OE/AAA database, RAM tool, A/Cs, FAA contacts)?

Yes: 51

No: 8

Q6-1 - Yes, your airport leverages FAA resources for support of obstruction removal/mitigation management. What resources are used? Check all that apply. - Selected Choice

OE/AAA database: 41

FAA Runway Airspace Management (RAM) tool: 21

OE/AAA website tools: 37

Advisory circulars: 41

Other regulatory documents: 21

FAA region personnel, division personnel or other FAA contacts: 33

Other, please describe: 4

• AIP Grant to fund obstacle survey
• Industry professionals
• Airport Consultants
• Relationships with crane companies

Q7 - Does the airport engage in formal outreach efforts to inform stakeholders and landowners around the airport about items such as zoning, obstructions, construction, vegetation growth, alterations, etc.?

Yes: 43

No: 14

Q7-1 - What methods of formal outreach efforts are used? Check all that apply. - Selected Choice

Website: 15

Regular meetings: 18

Emails: 25

Task forces: 7

Workshops/Meetings with local planning and zoning officials: 24

Other, please describe: 9

• Weekly Area Plan Commission Meetings
• Phone Calls
• USPS Mailings
• County Airport Land Use Commission
• Workplan in place with City permitting office to route building permit applications through Airport

• Joint Powers Zoning Board - City/County/Township appointed board to evaluate any development proposals that do not fit within the adopted zoning ordinance.
• Master Plan out reach and focus groups
• This could be included in the task force section, but a height limitations and zoning ordinance was enacted several years back that included a robust public involvement campaign.
• The airport works with the Planning & Development Department in the city to flag potential

Q8 - In the past year, approximately how many off-airport obstruction issues has the airport actively addressed?

0: 13

1–5: 28

5–10: 7

10+: 9

Q8-1 - What types of obstructions in the past year has the airport actively addressed? Check all that apply. - Selected Choice

Vegetation (trees): 21

Buildings: 20

Towers: 16

Other structures: 21

Other, please describe: 14

• Plumes
• New construction
• wind turbines
• Utility poles
• wildlife attractants
• Cranes
• Construction Cranes
• Crane
• Temporary Construction Cranes near the airport
• Cranes, power poles, antennas, cell towers, solar and wind farms
• Cranes
• Cranes
• Other structures was selected because one of the biggest issues is HVAC needing to be lifted onto roofs but the OEAAA turnaround is terrible. You could also regard it as a crane issue.
• Construction cranes

Q8-2 - What costs has your airport incurred in the past year dealing with off-airport obstructions? Check all that apply - Selected Choice

None: 18

NEPA compliance: 2

Engineering/Design: 9

Construction: 1

Removal: 11

Mitigation: 10

Other, please describe: 12

• Staff expense to manage and resolve issues with non-permitted (no 7460 filed) for temporary crane obstructions
• time

• [Airport] Airport Planning and [Airport] Geospatial
• Administrative
• Staff time in reviewing and coordinating cases with developers
• Other than time associated with informing the flying public of these obstructions.
• There are too many project examples to list, however each new project or development must be carefully evaluated to identify any potential impacts on the airportʼs approaches, Standard Instrument Departure Procedures (SIDs), and One Engine Inoperative (OEI) procedures. This evaluation process requires the involvement of internal employees as well as numerous outside consultants to determine and implement necessary mitigation procedures. Additionally, when vegetation grows and penetrates Part 77 airspace, we are required to take corrective action, incurring further costs to ensure compliance and maintain safe operations.
• Outside legal fees, travel expenses, airspace consultants
• Labor in reviewing potential obstructions
• Planning services, avigation easement acquisition
• Employee time. Chasing, discussing, and mitigating obstructions is my biggest time-sink that just shouldnʼt exist.

Q8-3 - How has your airport funded the costs identified in the previous question? Check all that apply. - Selected Choice

Local funds: 19

State funds: 1

Passenger facility charges: 1

Federal funds – AIP: 4

Federal funds - Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: 3

Other, please describe: 1

• None

Q9 - Over the past 5 years, approximately how many off-airport obstructions issues PER YEAR has the airport actively addressed?

0: 8

1–5: 31

5–10: 6

10+: 11

Q9-1 - In the past 5 years, what types of obstructions has the airport actively addressed? Check all that apply. - Selected Choice

Vegetation (trees): 30

Buildings: 19

Towers: 18

Other structures: 20

Other, please describe: 12

• wind turbines
• wildlife attractants, lighting effects
• Cranes
• Cranes
• Crane
• Cranes, power poles, cell towers, solar and wind farms
• Cranes

• Temporary/Mobile Crane
• HVAC, Billboards, terrain removal
• Construction cranes.
• None, we are surrounded by Bureau of land management land

Q9-2 - In the past 5 years, what costs has your airport incurred in dealing with off-airport obstructions? Check all that apply - Selected Choice

None: 17

NEPA compliance: 3

Engineering/Design: 17

Construction: 5

Removal: 18

Mitigation: 15

Other, please describe: 9

• Avigation easements
• time
• [Airport] Planning and [Airport] Geospatial
• Staff time
• Staff time
• surveying to verify location and height and removal
• Outside legal fees, travel expenses, airspace consultants
• Mostly labor costs in reviewing developments for potential issues.
• Employee time, conference attendance. I donʼt know what NEPA is.

Q9-3 - How has your airport funded the costs identified above? Check all that apply. - Selected Choice

Local funds: 28

State funds: 5

Passenger facility charges: 2

Federal funds – AIP: 12

Federal funds - Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: 1

Other, please describe: 1

• State, Fed Infrastructure possibly, I donʼt know though.

Q10 - Currently or in the past 5 years, does the airport have any off-airport obstruction issues that create concerns?

No concerns: 17

Minor concerns: 27

Moderate concerns: 10

Extensive concerns: 2

Q10-1 - On average, what length of time from identification to conclusion does dealing with an individual off-airport obstruction take?

<1 month: 5

1–3 months: 11

3–6 months: 7

6–12 months: 7

12+ months: 8

Q10-3 - What solutions were devised to address the obstruction issues? Check all that apply. - Selected Choice

Remove obstruction: 24

Modify obstruction: 25

Raise approach minimum: 8

Loss of approach: 1

Increased climb gradients for departure procedures: 3

Displaced threshold: 6

Runway closure: 1

Impact to precision approach path indicator: 1

Other, please describe: 5

Q10-4 - Have any obstructions resulted in restrictions on the airport, operations, or aircraft? - Selected Choice

Yes, please describe the restrictions: 12

• Labeled as provisional airport
• Raised minimums
• Yes, instrument procedures are constrained by obstructions due to high terrain. The restrictions apply to approach, missed approach, and departure procedures at the airport. Additionally, night operations are restricted.
• Higher approach minimums to multiple runways
• temporary weight restrictions
• Displaced Threshold
• modified descent altitudes on non-precision approach
• When temperatures rise above 90°F, the reduced air density negatively impacts aircraft performance, making it more difficult for some air carriers to achieve the necessary climb rate to clear existing obstructions. As a result, certain international carriers may be unable to take off under full load conditions, leading to weight restrictions, departure delays, or even cancellations. These limitations can significantly impact airport operations, particularly during peak summer months.
• TODA, displaced threshold
• While not in the last 5-years, FHWA construction of freeway expansions near [Airport] have resulted in modified approach mins and substandard RPZ
• 1. Displaced threshold which has since been resolved. 2. Air carrier diversions due to inclement weather.
• Temporary raising of MDA

No: 25

Q10-5 - The synthesis study will also include case examples demonstrating airport practices for off-airport obstructions. Your answers above indicate there could be examples to highlight for other airports. The estimated time commitment for your agency for the case example is 30 minutes for the follow-up interview and any additional time to review the write-up. Would your airport be interested in participating in a case example? - Selected Choice

Yes: 11

• Briefly detail example(s) of off-airport obstructions and impact on airport.

No: 25

Q11- Does the airport have agreements in place with external entities (e.g., city, county, private landowners) to address obstructions, such as avigation easements, zoning ordinances, or mitigation plans?

Yes: 38

No: 14

Q11-1 - What type of agreements are in place with those entities? Check all that apply. - Selected Choice

Legal (eg. avigation easements): 25

Regulatory (eg. zoning ordinances): 26

Mitigation: 8

Monitoring: 10

Other, please describe: 5

• City building permits are dependent on Airport Concurrence within the Airport Overlay district of the [City] Zoning ordinances.
• City Planner lets me know of any obstructions that applied for permit in the vicinity of the airport.
• Interlocal agreements
• Coordination with the Planning & Development Department to address potential issues in the development application phase.
• Regulatory measures do appear to exist, but as near as I can tell they have become forgotten and I donʼt think many people who should be aware of them actually are aware of them.

Q12- In past 5 years, has your airport encountered any legal cases (e.g., court decisions, agreements, issuance of abatement order) related to off-airport obstructions?

Yes: 6

No: 48

Q12-1 - What type of resolution resulted? Check all that apply. - Selected Choice

MOU (or similar) between airport and owner: 3

Court decision: 2

Revision of off-airport plans: 0

Maintenance agreement: 1

Airport/runway alterations: 1

Other, please describe: 1

• Still in process

Q13 - Are there formal open lines of communication between the airport and surrounding municipalities?

Yes: 49

No: 5

Q13-1 - How influential is the formal lines of communication for notifying your airport about obstructions (planned construction, vegetation growth, etc.)

Important: 37

Somewhat important: 11

Somewhat not important: 0

Not important: 1

Q14 - Does the airport get informed from surrounding municipalities/political jurisdictions about planned construction or land use changes?

Yes: 42

No: 11

Q14-1 - Please describe how the airport gets informed about construction or land use changes.

• The airport get informed through the Cityʼs planning department or building safety department.
• Email from City Zone
• Typically, through email from the County or the City.
• As part of the local Area Plan Commissions meeting process.
• Email, Written, and verbal communication from the municipality
• Emails/[Airport] Notification via email and letter
• zoning review
• We are notified by the planning and zoning office.
• Per County Ordinances, Chapter 84 addresses notification and the 7460 process.
• Through submission for review to the County Airport Land Use Commission
• Land Use Referrals from surrounding jurisdictions that we include in our Geospatial database and put through our own airspace analysis or work with the proponent to comply with FAAʼs 7460 process.
• Email, inter-agency coordination, public notices
• Count or City sends out emails regarding land use in compatibility zones
• City attorney
• City building permit process as described. The Airport does not get notified of zoning changes however.
• City/County planning and building depts. consult airport Operations for each new construction of zoning change within pre-defined area around the airport and in the extended runway centerlines.
• The airport is a reviewing agency for all associated authorities having jurisdiction.
• Through the approval process when the property is within the vicinity of the airport.
• Local and state notifications.

Q15 - Has your airport identified obstructions off airport that could not be mitigated?

Yes: 12

No: 40

Q15-1 - Why cannot they be mitigated? Check all that apply. - Selected Choice

Lack of local regulatory authority: 5

Lack of state regulatory authority: 2

Political considerations: 7

Funding constraints: 4

Other, please describe: 5

• Still in mitigation
• Terrain
• Terrain obstacles cannot be reasonably mitigated (e.g. remove the top of a mountain).
• Lack of federal regulation at the time of construction of the 1,149 ft Stratosphere tower
• The airport has many terrain obstructions that cannot be mitigated.

Q16 - Does the airport regularly engage with landowners in the vicinity of the airport regarding potential obstructions or other airport-related issues?

Yes, regularly: 8

Occasionally: 41

No, never: 3

Not sure: 2

Q16-1- Why doesnʼt the airport engage with landowners? Please select all that apply - Selected Choice

No perceived need: 1

Handled through other agencies. Explain which agencies: 1

Lack of personnel: 0

Lack of understanding of regulations: 0

Lack of local/state support: 0

Lack of federal support: 0

Other, please explain: 2

• [City] coordination with land owners
• The airport is surrounded by [Airport] property that is unavailable for development

Q16-2- What techniques do you use to reach out? Please select all that apply - Selected Choice

Direct contact (phone, email, visit): 46

Generic group email: 4

Town hall type forum: 6

Workshops/Meetings with local planning and zoning officials: 23

Working group: 6

Other, please describe: 2

• Press Releases, Social Media
• Public airport committee (Airport Sustainability Advisory Committee) which meets Quarterly

Q16-3 - Which of the following resources has the airport developed to support interaction with surrounding land owners? Please select all that apply - Selected Choice

Database of locations: 17

Design guides: 12

Maintenance guides: 5

Policies for construction or alterations: 21

Public outreach materials: 18

Website information: 21

Other, please describe: 4

• City ordinance
• Share updated Master Plans with the community
• direct communication as needed.
• Obstruction Mitigation Study, Part 77 map

Q16-4 - How often do you communicate with the landowners? - Selected Choice

Monthly or more frequently: 2

Quarterly: 9

Yearly: 8

Other, please describe: 19

• Not very often by direct methods.
• as needed
• Very infrequent.

• As needed.
• As needed.
• On an as needed basis
• when an issue arises, or questions are raised
• As needed, the ordinances are always in place.
• When needed for new developments or changes to existing structures are noted.
• As needed
• As needed
• As needed
• Only when questions, issues, or concerns arise.
• when needed
• As needed when vegetation growth/tree height warrants it.
• As needed only
• As needed
• When we need to.
• As needed.

Q16-4-2 - What internal airport departments are involved or engaged with community outreach? - Selected Choice

None: 7

List all airport departments: 20

• Administration, Customer Experience, Operations
• Administration and/or Operations.
• Operations, Marketing/Communications and Airport Director
• Operations, Planning, Engineering and Administration
• Properties
• Projects & Maintenance, Public Information Office, Properties.
• Executive Team, Public Information Officers, Planning & Development, Business & Properties, Operations, General Aviation, Airport Emergency & Safety
• Administration, Airport Safety, Airport Operations
• Airport Administration
• Administration/Ops/Maintenance
• Public Relations and Marketing, Planning and Engineering
• planning, general aviation airport mgmt
• administration
• Public relations, Planning, Engineering, Operations and Maintenance
• Planning, Operations
• Government Affairs; Communications; Planning; Environmental/Sustainability; Design, Engineering, Construction; Real Estate; Operations
• Executive
• Administration
• Operations, Engineering, Real Estate Development, Deputy Director.
• Operations, Properties, Facilities

Q17 - If1 construction activity were to take place near your airport, how would the airport find out about potential temporary or permanent obstructions? Check all that apply. - Selected Choice

OE/AAA website search: 27

Automated OE/AAA notification: 37

FAA Runway Airspace Management (RAM) tool: 4

Local agencies contact airport: 47

Land owner: 19

Contractor: 35

Other, please explain: 9

• We are made aware of construction activities through our development review and building permit processes.
• Airport email/letter
• Automated Land Use Referrals to our Landside Planning Team
• Many of the local developers are aware of the impacts/requirements of the Airport and make direct contact
• During Airfield Inspections or Tower notification.
• Would contact the construction site superintendent if none of the above apply.
• Media, news reporting, and personal observation
• Development and building permit review process, but only if the development is within City limits
• Visual inspections, developed contacts.

Q18 - In the past 5 years, have off-airport obstructions or potential obstructions caused delays for airport projects?

Selected Choice

Yes, please describe: 3

• Runway reconstruction project that required use of secondary runway for all commercial operations had issues caused by temporary crane use off airport.
• Runway extension project.
• Likely, difficult to recall specific examples at the moment. Could check with P&E

No: 50

Q19 - In the past 5 years, have off-airport obstructions or potential obstructions caused additional costs to airport?

Selected Choice

Yes, please describe: 14

• Selective tree removal expenses
• Weʼve had to trim trees in the approach path at our expense.
• Tree removal
• Mitigation and evaluation costs
• Obstructions to our shorter runway (primary wind runway) prevent improved approaches. During snow removal operations, we routinely are required to maintain dual runway operations to allow ILS or other approaches that are not available on the prevailing wind runway. This adds to the equipment and staffing costs of snow removal.
• Runway reconstruction project that required use of secondary runway for all commercial operations had issues caused by temporary crane use off airport
• Trees on the golf course adjacent to Runway 22 at [Airport] had to be cut down, the airport carried the expense of $15,000.
• There are too many project examples to list, however each new project or development must be carefully evaluated to identify any potential impacts on the airportʼs approaches, Standard Instrument Departure Procedures (SIDs), and One Engine Inoperative (OEI) procedures. This evaluation process requires the involvement of internal employees as well as numerous outside consultants to determine and implement necessary mitigation procedures. Additionally, when

• vegetation grows and penetrates Part 77 airspace, we are required to take corrective action, incurring further costs to ensure compliance and maintain safe operations.
• Tree trimming, over $100,000.
• [Airport] ultimately needed to file suit against [City] for a proposed development near [Airport] that may have resulted in obstructions.
• Had to move runway .5 km south
• Loss of air carrier activity.
• Likely, mostly around delays
• Obstruction removal for trees and vegetation.

No: 38

Q20 - In the past 5 years, has the airport legal staff (or equivalent) been involved in off-airport obstruction issues?

Yes: 14

No: 40

Q21 - In the past 5 years, have off-airport obstructions caused alterations to the airport (approaches, physical changes, operations, etc.)? - Selected Choice

Yes, please describe alterations: 7

• Daily crane operations for construction at the approach end of Runway 25L caused Runway 7R-25L to be closed while the crane was raised. Duration was 16 weeks, Monday to Friday.
• Increased minimums for approaches due to “obstructions”
• Newly identified (but existing for many decades) obstructions have resulted in approach minimum increases.
• Runway reconstruction project that required use of secondary runway for all commercial operations had issues when aircraft were shifted to secondary runway with more obstacles.
• raised minimums on one approach by 9 feet.
• Certain oil rig activity in the vicinity temporarily impacts approaches to our airport.
• Temporary Notams

No: 43