LEESVILLE- A small area of wetlands stands in the way of planned expansion for the Leesville City Airport.
Airport Manager Paul Jackson will meet with the Army Corps of Engineers July 26 to make a determination as to the impact of the improvements on the wetland and when the improvements can begin.
"During the initial stages of expansion, we found out there are wetlands where we are going to be building and a few other spots around the airport, said J.R. Lynch, president of the Professional Aeronautics Academy that has its campus at the Leesville Airport. Lynch said the Corps of Engineers will show if the construction will affect the wetlands.
The area in question consists of about 5 small. To be considered a wetland the area of land must be soil that is saturated with moisture either permanently or seasonally.
"It’s a very small area and the 5 small spots are not critical in our opinion," added Jackson.
"The plan is in the works," he continued. "We are hopeful to begin construction next year. I meet with the state Monday the 26th to make a determination," said Jackson.
Other options are also being considered in case the area is determined to be a wetland.
"By federal permit you can purchase another wetland in another location and use this one. So, it’s a one for one deal," said Mr. Lynch.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, which, along with the Army Corps of Engineers, oversees and enforces the Clean Water Act, impacts on wetlands must be minimized and avoided as much as practicably possible. Unavoidable impacts require compensatory mitigation, or the creating, restoring or enhancing of a wetland elsewhere to replace or compensate for the wetland that is originally impacted.
The long term plan of the airport is to build new hangars, a new ramp, expand the runway, and overall provide for better safety.
"The improvements will enhance the safety areas and remove any obstructions from around the airport," said Jackson.
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LEESVILLE- A small area of wetlands stands in the way of planned expansion for the Leesville City Airport.
Airport Manager Paul Jackson will meet with the Army Corps of Engineers July 26 to make a determination as to the impact of the improvements on the wetland and when the improvements can begin.
"During the initial stages of expansion, we found out there are wetlands where we are going to be building and a few other spots around the airport, said J.R. Lynch, president of the Professional Aeronautics Academy that has its campus at the Leesville Airport. Lynch said the Corps of Engineers will show if the construction will affect the wetlands.
The area in question consists of about 5 small. To be considered a wetland the area of land must be soil that is saturated with moisture either permanently or seasonally.
"It’s a very small area and the 5 small spots are not critical in our opinion," added Jackson.
"The plan is in the works," he continued. "We are hopeful to begin construction next year. I meet with the state Monday the 26th to make a determination," said Jackson.
Other options are also being considered in case the area is determined to be a wetland.
"By federal permit you can purchase another wetland in another location and use this one. So, it’s a one for one deal," said Mr. Lynch.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, which, along with the Army Corps of Engineers, oversees and enforces the Clean Water Act, impacts on wetlands must be minimized and avoided as much as practicably possible. Unavoidable impacts require compensatory mitigation, or the creating, restoring or enhancing of a wetland elsewhere to replace or compensate for the wetland that is originally impacted.
The long term plan of the airport is to build new hangars, a new ramp, expand the runway, and overall provide for better safety.
"The improvements will enhance the safety areas and remove any obstructions from around the airport," said Jackson.
