Major Changes Coming to Santa Maria Public Airport
         The groundbreaking of the 12-million-dollar first phase of the Planes of Fame Air Museum at the Santa Maria Airport is the start of many changes coming to the local airport.   
              The 9-million-dollar rehabilitation of the runway, a 365-acre habitat set aside for the endangered California tiger salamander, a customs office, the renovation of the Radisson Hotel, solar panels to reduce power expenses and even electric chargers for future electric aircraft are all in progress or in planning stages.               Elected Airport Director Michael Clayton is happy to be a part of the growth. “We are looking forward to the future. Things are quickly looking up for the airport.” 
 Fire Department
The most immediate change affects Orcutt residents. Currently the City of Santa Maria Fire Department operates Station 6 located at the airport, and it only serves the airport. Soon, the City will add another engine and more support staff to Station 6 and will serve southern Santa Maria and northern Orcutt residents. 
       Administrative Battalion Chief Evan Scott of the Santa Maria Fire Department explains that, in addition to the increased coverage, “the County and the City fire departments are implementing a ‘boundary drop’ policy that says the closest unit to a call will be dispatched. There will be no geographical boundaries between City and County fire departments. Orcutt residents, depending on where they live, will receive services from either a green engine from Santa Maria or a white truck from Orcutt depending on which can respond the quickest.”
Salamander Habitat
       Last August, the Santa Maria Airport agreed to a settlement with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and federal regulators to resolve allegations that it encroached on several hundred acres of the habitat of the endangered California tiger salamander.  The settlement requires that the District set aside 365 acres to create a laboratory and habitat restoration/management plan.  In addition, the airport agreed to pay $5,000,000 over three years to help fund California tiger salamander protection efforts in the state. 
         President of the five-person Airport District Board, Nash Moreno, says initially the regulators wanted more acreage and over eleven million dollars to settle the lawsuit.  “At the beginning of the discussions, the atmosphere was rocky, but eventually we got to where both sides were satisfied.” 
More than one hundred breeding ponds, large plastic barrels and monitoring equipment have been installed.  Moreno says classes from Pioneer Valley High and other schools and biology clubs have visited the habitat where students participate in seminars with UCLA biologists.  “It’s already become a great learning resource,” says Moreno.   
           Director Michael Clayton says District officials were in a difficult position.  “In order to free up millions of dollars in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds, we had to negotiate a solution to the salamander issue.  Without those federal monies the airport is helpless.”  
Runway
           As a result of the agreement, the federal government is funding 95% of an eleven-million-dollar renovation of the runway.  Airport Manager Martin Pehl says the last renovation of the local runway was in 1992.  “The useful life of runway asphalt is twenty years,” he says.   “Our runway has not been renovated in 32 years. The project is our highest priority.”
Customs Office 
          By the end of the year, a customs office will be operational. Director Moreno says the office will be the only customs office between airports in Van Nuys to the south and San Jose to the north. The office will not handle commercial flights; only private, business aircraft.  “The building is being prepared and will be turned over to federal officials by June. 
Solar Panels and Electric Chargers 
          General Manager Pehl says a 520-kilowatt solar panel system will be installed in one of the parking lots in front of the terminal and should be operational by the end of the year.  The system is to help power the terminal building and reduce the airport’s electricity bill.  
The Planes of Fame Air Museum
          The Planes of Fame Air Museum is relocating from Chino California to an area just east of the current Raddison hotel (see story below) and will include a 57,000 square foot building including a gift shop, lecture room, and exhibit room which will house part of the museum’s extensive collection of 160 World War II and earlier aircraft. 
           Eventually, there will be four hangars with display areas, a research library, workshop and storage.  
           Tony Guy, elected last November and the newest member of the Board of Directors, says he is ecstatic about the future of the Santa Maria Airport. “I am so happy to be a part of the team working so hard to bring these enhancements forward.”    Steve Southwick reporting