by MINDY KAYL

Special to the Sounder

The Port of Orcas Commissioners discussed its response to the FAA regarding the present use of the “Larsen Property” during the regular meeting last week. The FAA provided grant money in 1996 to help the Port of Orcas purchase the neighboring property for future airport expansion. They are now questioning the port’s use of that land as an off-leash dog area.

In defense, the commissioners have written a letter to the FAA explaining their untraditional use of airport property. The airport has not met a threshold of 10,000 enplanements, which would warrant further development of the airport facilities. The letter explains, “The Commissioners for the Port of Orcas feel that a temporary use … as an off-leash dog area serves the community at large in a positive fashion, and does not endanger its use for airport development in the future.” The off-leash dog area is a temporary use of the property. The fencing and parking that have been installed do not impair future development; the port maintains the ability to expand when airplane traffic increases.

“I am happy to have the port’s support on the dog park,” Jeff Hanson of Pawkis said.

In other news, the port is looking at upgrading the eastern storm-water outfall. The flap on the 18 a hald inch pipe is incrusted with barnacles and has stopped working correctly. Bea von Tobel, port manager, recommended a flap made out of a special plastic that would deter the growth of marine life on the valve itself.

The port is applying for a Washington Department of Transportation grant, available for airports to improve their security. This includes security fencing, and surveillance cameras. The port currently has wildlife fencing, but not security fencing.