Skip to main content

Newhouse Statement on FAA Reauthorization Win for Grant County

April 27, 2018

House-passed bill includes protection for Grant County International Airport radar facility

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after the House voted to approve H.R. 4 - FAA Reauthorization Act:

"I am pleased that the FAA reauthorization legislation approved by the House today includes language I worked to include that safeguards the Grant County International Airport's radar facility from further 804 consolidation processes under a military operations exemption," said Rep. Newhouse. "Consolidating Grant County's facility would impair national safety because military facilities would lose a vital training and reserve base location. I am grateful for the bipartisan support from my Washington congressional colleagues to include this language that preserves the radar facility, ensures military readiness for our warfighters across the Pacific Northwest, and fosters economic benefits in Grant County."

Background:

Section 804 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 directed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to review FAA towers and Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) systems and determine whether those systems be consolidated or realigned with other larger facilities based on net cost savings and safety.

In 2015, Grant County International Airport's TRACON was listed among FAA facilities nationwide for review for consolidation. Consolidating Grant County's TRACON would have impaired the county's ability to provide unique and tailored services for Fairchild Airforce Base, Joint Base Lewis McChord, the U.S. Forest Service, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, the aerospace industry, and the local community.

Rep. Newhouse added language included in H.R. 4 that would protect the Grant County facility from further 804 consolidations processes under a military operations exemption.