Newhouse Provision Safeguarding Moses Lake Radar Facility Approved in Bipartisan FAA Reauthorization
Legislation preserves Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facilities in Grant County; Establishes aviation school grant program
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Port of Moses Lake Commission President Kent Jones released the following statements today after the House approved H.R. 302, FAA Reauthorization Act, a bipartisan, five-year bill to reauthorize the programs of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Included in the FAA Reauthorization Act is Rep. Newhouse's military exemption language that prohibits FAA from realigning or consolidating any facilities where military operations comprised 40 percent or more of the total annual Terminal Radar Approach Control systems' activity in 2015.
"The current 804 realignment or consolidation process for FAA facilities would have a serious impact on Grant County International Airport and Moses Lake, and this bipartisan FAA reauthorization legislation rightly amends that process," said Rep. Newhouse. "I am pleased that my military operations exemption will help preserve military readiness as well as important economic benefits for Grant County."
Port of Moses Lake Commission President Kent Jones: "Congressman Newhouse has been a strong and consistent advocate for the Port of Moses Lake. His work to ensure the preservation of the radar facility at the Grant County International Airport is critical – that facility allows us to accommodate the diverse needs of our commercial and military users, and it allows us to continue to grow the economy in central Washington."
Background:
In 2012, Section 804 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act directed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to review FAA towers and Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) systems and determine whether those systems be consolidated or realigned with other larger facilities based on net cost savings and safety.
In 2015, Grant County International Airport's TRACON was listed among FAA facilities nationwide for review for consolidation. Consolidating Grant County's TRACON would have impaired the county's ability to provide unique and tailored services for Fairchild Airforce Base, Joint Base Lewis McChord, the U.S. Forest Service, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, the aerospace industry, and the local community.
December 7, 2015 – Letter from Rep. Newhouse and Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta on impacts of TRACON consolidation to Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
June 20, 2016 – Letter from Rep. Newhouse to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta on impacts of TRACON consolidation to Grant County International Airport.
July 26, 2016 – Letter from Rep. Newhouse and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta on impacts of TRACON consolidation to Fairchild Air Force Base.
H.R. 302 includes Rep. Newhouse's military exemption language that prohibits FAA from realigning or consolidating any facilities where military operations comprised 40 percent or more of the total annual Terminal Radar Approach Control systems' activity in 2015.
H.R. 302 establishes industry groups to develop recommendations and strategies for encouraging youth and recruiting women to enter the U.S. aviation workforce. It directs the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to establish the Aviation Maintenance Workforce Development Pilot Program to help close the skills gap and fill aviation maintenance jobs. The provision creates a grant program of up to $500,000 per year available to businesses, unions, schools, and government entities partnering to address the technician shortage.
The legislative text is available here. A summary of highlights of the legislation is available here.