MnDOT releases State Aviation System Plan for public review, comment

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The public is invited to review and comment on Minnesota’s State Aviation System Plan through February 12. The SASP is a 20-year plan guiding the orderly development of the state’s system of 135 publically funded airports.

This plan describes and assesses the current aviation system performance and provides guidance for future aviation development in Minnesota. A performance-based planning approach is used to address identified goals and strategies for the system. An investment plan has also been prepared as part of the SASP to identify system needs and costs over the 20-year planning period.

The SASP is the result of extensive effort and collaboration over the past two years between the Minnesota Department of Transportation, stakeholders, partners and citizens. This will be the final opportunity for the public to provide input on the plan.

The SASP is the first mode specific plan MnDOT has presented to the public since adoption of Minnesota GO, the 50-year transportation vision, and a new Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan in September of 2012.

The State Aviation System Plan can be accessed electronically at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/aero/avoffice/planning/saspdraftchapters.html. It also is available for review in hard copy at the MnDOT Office of Aeronautics, 222 Plato Blvd East and the MnDOT Library, 395 John Ireland Blvd., both in St. Paul.

A public hearing will be held February 4 from 4 p.m to 5 p.m. in Room G15 at MnDOT’s main headquarters at 395 John Ireland Boulevard in St. Paul. The public also may participate via videoconference at the following MnDOT offices statewide:

· Baxter – 7694 Industrial Park Road

· Bemidji – 3920 Highway 2 W

· Detroit Lakes – 1000 Highway 10 W

· Duluth – 1123 Mesaba Ave.

· Mankato – 2151 Bassett Drive

· Rochester – 2900 48^th St. NW

· St. Paul – 395 John Ireland Blvd., Room G15

· Willmar – 2505 Transportation Road

Written comments will be accepted through February 12 and should be addressed to:

Aviation Planning - SASP

MnDOT Office of Aeronautics

222 Plato Boulevard

St. Paul, MN 55155

Email: aviationplanning.dot@state.mn.us

Those unable to attend in-person may participate in an online webinar via Adobe Connect. For details, visit http://www.dot.state.mn.us/aero/avoffice/planning/getinvolved.html.

For more information, contact Ryan Gaug at 651-234-7190 or aviationplanning.dot@state.mn.us, or visit http://www.dot.state.mn.us/aero/avoffice/planning/sasp2011.html.

To request an ASL or foreign language interpreter, or other reasonable accommodation for the February 4 hearing, call Janet Miller at 651-366-4720 or 1-800-657-3774 (Greater Minnesota); 711 or 1-800-627-3529 (Minnesota Relay), or send an email to janet.rae.miller@state.mn.us. Please make a request at least one week in advance.