Minden-Tahoe Airport is approaching a crisis over the voter-mandated weight restrictions, said John Marsalis, a pilot and member of the Minden-Tahoe Advisory Committee.
"Since 1984, we've had a law on the books that says planes can't land here if they are a certain weight," he said. "The federal government says that is discriminatory and if we keep that weight restriction, we won't be able to obtain federal funding."
A U.S. Navy carrier pilot during the Vietnam War, Marsalis has flown for three commercial airlines during his career. He spoke to members of the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce earlier this week.
"If we don't change our ways we'll have to pay the money back, or keep the airport open for another 20 years to federal standards at our expense," Marsalis said. "Most of the money for maintenance and improvements is supplied by Uncle Sam. We must honor the minimum standards the government requires."
The county has obtained an estimated $17.5 million in grants for airport maintenance and improvements since 1984, according to airport officials.
Minden-Tahoe Airport is a valuable asset that provides numerous perks including air tankers critical in wildfire crises, as well as access when Carson Valley is cut off during floods and other disasters, like earthquakes, Marsalis said.
"The flood of 1997 cut us off and since then, it's come close to happening again," he said. "The airport was high and dry each time. It's very capable of being used to ferry in food and medical supplies when necessary."
The airport also provides open space, Marsalis said.
"The neat thing about this open space is that it pays for itself," he said. "The money doesn't come out of our pockets. Baseball diamonds cost tax dollars. Anytime we can get open space to pay for itself, it's to our benefit."
The airport is also a world-class soaring destination, just one of the perks that generates an estimated $46 million and 500 jobs for the community, Marsalis said.
"The airport needs to attract enough users to keep it going," he said. "If we let it deteriorate, we'll create a downward-spiraling vortex."
-- Contact reporter Susie Vasquez at svasquez@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 211.