Naples Airport Authority Wins Statewide Environmental Award

The Florida Airports Council recognized the Naples Municipal Airport (KAPF) Water Management System Improvements and Taxiway A Extension project with the 2015 J. Bryan Cooper Environmental Award, General Aviation Airport.

The winning project includes two components that provide conventional and state-of-the-art solutions for water-quality and noise issues. Airport ponds were reconfigured to improve pollutant filtering and discourage wildlife, which pose a threat to aircraft. Taxiway A was extended to encourage aircraft to use the full length of the runway, so that aircraft are flying higher when they leave airport property.

After shorelines were altered, the ponds showed an overall reduction in bird use, particularly wading birds, a safety enhancement for aircraft and the surrounding communities by decreasing the potential for bird strikes.

The pond redesign resulted in a significant increase in the removal of phosphorus and nitrogen. Water from the airfield historically has been cleaner than residential runoff, but the airport accepts and cleans runoff from an adjoining 400 acres of industrial development. Underwater gabions – walls created with baskets of rocks – have slowed water flow and increased the effectiveness of the filtration process. If ongoing monitoring confirms the improved filtration trend, the design is expected to become a model for Florida water-management pond design.

The Federal Aviation Administration and Florida Department of Transportation funded 95 percent of the $8 million project.

The annual J. Bryan Cooper Environmental Award recognizes environmental projects and programs that have a positive effect on the Florida aviation system. Winning projects demonstrate a balance between environmental benefits and financial viability, address environmental issues of local, regional or statewide concern and promote partnerships with entities outside the aviation industry.

Naples Municipal Airport, a certificated air-carrier airport, is home to flight schools, air charter operators, car rental agencies and corporate aviation and nonaviation businesses as well as fire/rescue services, mosquito control, the Collier County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit and other community services.

During the 2013-2014 fiscal year, the airport accommodated 95,120 takeoffs and landings.

All funds used for the airport’s operation, maintenance and improvements are generated from activities at the airport or from federal and state grants; the airport receives no property tax dollars. The Florida Department of Transportation values the airport’s economic impact to the community at $283.5 million annually.

Naples Municipal Airport operates as a general aviation airport but complies with the same Federal Aviation Administration standards and safety guidelines as airports with commercial airline service, maintaining the same level of security and adhering to all Transportation Security Administration and FAA directives. During a recent annual inspection, the FAA found the airport 100 percent in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations Part 139 requirements.