Matheson Says Questionable Airspace Proposal Off the Drawing Board For Now

Press Release

Matheson Says Questionable Airspace Proposal Off the Drawing Board For Now

Congressman Jim Matheson said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has notified him that it has dropped-for now-- a controversial plan to re-route incoming jet airplanes over the east side of the Salt Lake Valley. Matheson sent a letter to the agency expressing satisfaction with the initial announcement but requesting further clarification.

The so-called Northern Utah Airspace Initiative was proposed by FAA in 2003. The agency said it was necessary to address airspace overcrowding and looming airport delays. But the environmental planning process stalled when Matheson, the Director of the Salt Lake International Airport, local elected officials, environmental groups, and two major airlines questioned the idea.

The most significant concern was the prospect of low flying airplanes crossing the Wasatch canyons in Northern Utah county, the east Bench of Salt Lake County and southern Davis county.

"I have long questioned the FAA's claim that such a drastic change-one that would negatively affect hundreds of thousands of property owners and users of the Wasatch canyons-was necessary. I raised those concerns with FAA Administrator Blakey early in the process. I was pleased when aviation experts and two major airlines-Delta and Northwest-echoed my concerns," said Matheson.

Save Our Canyons President Gale Dick said the announcement is great news.
"This is an important victory, protecting the Wasatch Mountains. It shows what Salt Lake citizens, local governments, businesses and environmental organizations with the unswerving support of their congressman, Jim Matheson, can do. Three cheers!"

Matheson said that according to a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Transportation, "the FAA is pursuing several improvements for Salt Lake City airspace...that do not require changes to the flight patterns." Matheson said the administration said that following implementation of those improvements-through 2008-- the FAA would "reassess operational safety and efficiency needs."

"I will be monitoring developments and will continue to request updates from the FAA regarding planned 'enhancements' so that I can keep Salt Lake Valley residents informed," said Matheson.

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