File #: 21-1542    Version:
Type: Agenda Item Status: Approved
File created: 9/20/2021 In control: Board of Supervisors
On agenda: 8/30/2022 Final action: 8/30/2022
Title: Planning and Building Department, Airports Division, recommending the Board: 1) Authorize the Chair to sign the retroactive Emergency Facilities & Land Use Agreement with the United States Forest Service (USFS Agreement Number 1291S821K4145) accepting funds in the amount of $10,417 for use of the Placerville Airport from August 14 to September 16, 2021 and $543.20 for reimbursement for two taxiway edge lights that were broken during the Caldor Fire; and 2) Delegate signature authority to the Planning and Building Department Assistant Director to sign any additional United States Forest Service documents associated with this Emergency Facilities & Land Use Agreement for use of the Placerville Airport during the Caldor Fire. (Cont. 8/23/2022, Item 14) FUNDING: Incoming revenue, United States Forest Service (Federal Funds).
Attachments: 1. A - Blue Route_Approved, 2. B - USFS Agreement, 3. C - Caldor Fire Nightly Heli Counts, 4. D - Airport Fee Schedule, 5. E - Response to Questions on USFS/Airport Reimbursement for Caldor Fire, 6. Public Comment BOS Rcvd 8-30-2022, 7. Public Comment BOS Rcvd 8-23-2022, 8. Executed USFS Agreement
Title
Planning and Building Department, Airports Division, recommending the Board:
1) Authorize the Chair to sign the retroactive Emergency Facilities & Land Use Agreement with the United States Forest Service (USFS Agreement Number 1291S821K4145) accepting funds in the amount of $10,417 for use of the Placerville Airport from August 14 to September 16, 2021 and $543.20 for reimbursement for two taxiway edge lights that were broken during the Caldor Fire; and
2) Delegate signature authority to the Planning and Building Department Assistant Director to sign any additional United States Forest Service documents associated with this Emergency Facilities & Land Use Agreement for use of the Placerville Airport during the Caldor Fire. (Cont. 8/23/2022, Item 14)

FUNDING: Incoming revenue, United States Forest Service (Federal Funds).
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Airport staff were contacted by the United States Forest Service (USFS) on August 14, 2021 regarding the use of the Placerville Airport for air operations and support for fighting the Caldor Fire. CalFire and USFS unified command personnel began moving in equipment and using the airport on August 15, 2021. The airport was closed for regular general aviation flight operations from August 17, 2021 to September 14, 2021, a total of 29 days; however, fire-fighting air operations and support encompassed a total of 34 days.

On August 15, 2021, CalFire staff visited the Airport, and, with airport staff, completed a Federal Land Use Agreement Intake Form preparatory to finalizing an agreement between the USFS and the County. In addition, security staff were posted around the clock at the entrance gate to the airport to restrict access of the general public (airport tenants and users were allowed access via a walk-in gate; they were not permitted to drive onto the airport) while CalFire and USFS were utilizing the airport.

The County’s Airport Fee Schedule is not set up for the large-scale use that occurred with ...

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