REP. MIKE THOMPSON ANNOUNCES $1 MILLION GRANT FOR CHARLES M. SCHULZ-SONOMA COUNTY AIRPORT
WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today announced a $1 million Department of Transportation (DOT) grant for Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport. The funds will be used for environmental mitigations required to complete the airport's runway realignment and extension project. Once completed, this runway project will help the airport accommodate regional jets flying longer distances to and from an increased number of air travel destinations.
"The runway project at Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport will be a cornerstone of economic development in our region for years to come," said Thompson. "It's important that we protect our local environment as this project continues – and these funds will help us do just that."
"We are incredibly grateful for Congressman Thompson's continued support," said Supervisor Mike Mcguire. "This grant funding is critical to the success of the Airport Safety and Improvement project and it will immediately be put to work improving the Airport's runways and facilities."
Specifically, these funds will address environmental requirements to protect and mitigate the impact to local endangered plant and animal species. Thompson worked with the Federal Aviation Administration, other federal resource agencies, and local officials to address these environmental mitigation concerns. The addressing of these environmental concerns was required for the airport to receive funding for the runway realignment and extension project.
The runway project will allow the airport to support and attract major airlines that would be able to fly to larger airports further inland. Currently the airport offers flights to Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
The project will also improve safety by separating two runways that currently end at the same location. Creating two separate endpoints for the runways will help eliminate pilot confusion.
Last year, Thompson announced nearly $40 million of DOT funds for the runway project at Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
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