Proposed high tower in path to local airport

Plans for the construction of a 261-foot high tower that would rise within the flight path to the Grand Coulee Dam Airport are under study, by the Federal Aviation Administration, which is seeking public comment.

The FAA became interested in the proposed antenna tower when airport Manager Bob Babler responded negatively to a questionnaire about the proposed height and location of the tower.

The tower would be some 3.08 nautical miles from the airport runway, a paved landing area nearly 4,200 feet long and 75 feet wide.

The tower would exceed limits set by the FAA by 18 feet, and would be located in the midst of several transmission lines of large support structures of unknown height, according to an FAA report on the subject.

The FAA is asking people interested to respond to a study about the project, and those responding have until Feb. 15 to submit information.

The FAA said comments must be relative to the effect the tower would have on aviation.

The site of the proposed antenna would be approximately one degree right of the runway center line.

Babler said the tower would interfere with the approach to the runway and interfere with the PAPI (precision approach path indicator) lights that lead pilots to the runway after dark.

The FAA did not say what the tower, just northwest of Grand Coulee on top of the coulee, would be used for.

AT&T has a cell tower near that area but far below the top of the hill.

To comment, refer to Aeronautical Study No. 2014-ANM-1654-OE when you write to:

Federal Aviation Administration

Southwest Regional Office

Obstruction Evaluation Group

2601 Meacham Boulevard

Fort Worth, TX 76193

Or follow the this link.