Bonner County submits draft through‑the‑fence agreement to FAA; board hears overview of conditions and timeline uncertainty

County staff told the Bonner County Airport Advisory Board on April 3 that the county’s draft through‑the‑fence agreement — prepared to allow off‑airport property owners controlled access to Sandpoint Airport — has been submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration for review.

Dave (first name only in the transcript) said the draft agreement and related access licenses for the first operators, including Shawn Rock and Andrew Bates, have been acknowledged by the FAA and are under review. “They’ve acknowledged that they have it, and they’ve acknowledged that they’re working on it,” he said.

Staff reviewed key implications that the board and adjacent property owners should expect: existing west‑side easements (for example, Silverwings, Omni, Fishback) run with the land but will need a through‑the‑fence agreement layered over the easement that may include conditions and restrictions. As staff explained, the FAA’s post‑2012 guidance requires terms that can limit certain commercial activities from off‑airport properties; one example cited at the meeting is a prohibition on retail fuel sales on off‑airport property if that would compete with on‑airport fuel vendors.

Board members pressed whether through‑the‑fence approval could lead to loss of access; staff said they do not anticipate loss of access for existing easements but do expect conditions and restrictions to be attached. Staff also clarified that the agreement governs airplane access; ground‑vehicle movement on taxiways will remain restricted except in specific towing circumstances (for example, moving disabled aircraft).

The county’s draft agreement draws on FAA guidance and the 2012 Congressional reauthorization that required the FAA to permit through‑the‑fence access at non‑commercial airports with conditions. Staff noted the FAA’s review schedule is variable; no firm timeline was given for final approval or required changes.

Staff said they will return to the board when FAA comments are received and any necessary revisions have been prepared.