As requested by Governor Chris Gregoire, the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Aviation is now recruiting for potential members of the Aviation Planning Council. The Aviation Planning Council, as directed by state legislation (ESSB 5121), will be appointed by Governor Gregoire after July 2007 as part of Phase III of the Long-Term Air Transportation Study (LATS). The council’s purpose is to use LATS Phases I and II findings to determine:
- How best to meet commercial and general aviation capacity needs;
- Which regions of the state are in need of improvement regarding the matching of existing, or projected, airport facilities and the long-range capacity needs at airports within the region expected to reach capacity before 2030; and
- Recommendations regarding the placement of future commercial or general aviation facilities to meet the need for improved aviation planning in the region.
During this early recruitment process, WSDOT Aviation will send cover letters (pdf 70 kb), applications (pdf 315 kb) and recruitment packets (pdf 485 kb) to the various groups and agencies identified in the legislation to serve on the council:
- Transportation Commission (to act as council chair)
- WSDOT Aviation Director
- Director of Community, Trade and Economic Development
- FAA technical expert
- Commercial airport operator
- Member of Growth Management Act Hearings Board
- Washington Airport Management Association
- Airline representative
- Two members of the general public
Each applicant should review the background information, qualifications and expectations outlined in the recruitment packet, and complete the application form. Completed applications should be sent with a cover letter explaining your qualifications and interest in serving on the council, to WSDOT Aviation, PO Box 3367, Arlington WA, 98223 by June 25, 2007.
After reviewing applications, WSDOT and members from the LATS Technical Advisory and Aviation Advisory Committees will then recommend two to four candidates from each group for the Governor’s consideration. Though these recommendations may aid in the Governor’s final choices, it is not guaranteed that all recommended candidates will end up serving on the council. All candidates will go through the Governor’s established Boards and Commissions process to be considered for the planning council.
Those from the general public interested in serving on the planning council should request an application and recruitment packet by contacting Nisha Marvel, WSDOT Aviation Communications, at 360-651-6310. Applications and recruitment packets can also be downloaded from the LATS Web site, under the Aviation Planning Council heading, at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/aviation/LATS.htm.