Humboldt County Grand Jury
• 2024-2025
Wings Over Humboldt County Charting a New Course for the Department of Aviation Released July 30th, 2025
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 12 findings
F1
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that:
Creating a Department of Aviation has improved operations and management, thus providing greater opportunity for growth and revenue. Lochner summary: https://www.flyacv.com/DocumentCenter/View/422/Airport-System-Plan- Summary-with-Overview-and-Recommended-Developments
No recommendations for this finding
F2
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that:
Aviation management and staff are well qualified and experienced, ensuring that facilities and operations are maintained for public safety.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that:
Compliance with Federal Aviation Administration requirements is critical for the Department of Aviation to successfully apply for and receive grant funds to undertake major safety projects at all six airports.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that:
In 2024, the Department of Aviation was awarded Federal Aviation Administration grant funding of just under $1.9 million. This allowed the Department to make capital improvements at the airports in Rohnerville, Garberville and McKinleyville.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that:
Commercial air service is currently available to the east and south. Establishing air service to the north would result in increased revenue because passengers would be less likely to start their journey at another airport.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that:
The Department of Aviation has been collaborating with Project SOAR (Sourcing Opportunities for Airport Revenues). This promotes economic development at the airports. (R1)
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Board of Supervisors direct the Director of the Department of Aviation to continue their collaboration with Project SOAR (Sourcing Opportunities for Airport Revenues) to attract revenue-generating businesses to non-aeronautical land at the airports. (F6)
F7
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that:
The focus of the current Aviation Advisory Committee has primarily been on airport operations. The committee could be better utilized by focusing on broader economic development. (R2)
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The Board of Supervisors continue to evaluate the composition, role and responsibilities of the Aviation Advisory Committee. (F7)
F8
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that:
The Dinsmore landing strip is threatened by river encroachment. This necessitates constructing a dike to protect the runway or repurposing the site solely as a medivac heliport. (R3)
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The Board of Supervisors direct the Director of the Department of Aviation to review the specific 2017 Volaire report recommendations regarding the future of Murray Field, Dinsmore, and Kneeland airports. This direction to Aviation shall be made by no later than December 31, 2025. (F8, F9, F10)
F9
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that:
Landslides have shortened the effective length of the Kneeland landing strip. Restoration will require an environmental impact report and repairs likely costing millions of dollars. (R3)
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The Board of Supervisors direct the Director of the Department of Aviation to review the specific 2017 Volaire report recommendations regarding the future of Murray Field, Dinsmore, and Kneeland airports. This direction to Aviation shall be made by no later than December 31, 2025. (F8, F9, F10)
F10
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that:
Murray Field Airport is below sea level and sinking. In the long term, the airport will need to be either closed or reconstructed; reconstruction would require obtaining a California Coastal Commission permit. (R3)
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The Board of Supervisors direct the Director of the Department of Aviation to review the specific 2017 Volaire report recommendations regarding the future of Murray Field, Dinsmore, and Kneeland airports. This direction to Aviation shall be made by no later than December 31, 2025. (F8, F9, F10)
F11
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that:
Many of the 2017 Volaire report recommendations have been implemented, but several could still be implemented. Revisiting those recommendations would provide opportunities for expansion, commercial development, increased public safety, and increased revenues. (R4)
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The Board of Supervisors direct the Director of the Department of Aviation to review the 2017 Volaire report. The Director will report a plan for possible implementation of Volaire recommendations to the Board of Supervisors by no later than December 31, 2025. (F11)
F12
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that:
Airport hangars and other infrastructure at the smaller airports are in disrepair due to long- term deferred maintenance. Delaying repairs accelerates damage and can significantly increase the final cost of repair, as well as foster dissatisfaction among hangar tenants. (R5, R6)
Related Recommendations (2)
R5
The Board of Supervisors direct the Director of the Department of Aviation to develop a hangar repair plan, by December 31, 2025, to bring hangars up to commercial standards. (F12)
R6
The Board of Supervisors allocate all hangar rental revenue, as well as seek other funding sources as needed to implement the hangar repair plan developed by the Department of Aviation. To be done by June 30, 2026. (F12) RESPONSES Pursuant to California Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, each entity or individual named below must respond to the enumerated Findings and Recommendations within specific statutory guidelines. Responses to Findings shall be either: • The respondent agrees with the finding; or • The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding; in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefor. Responses to Recommendations shall be one of the following: • The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action; or • The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a time frame for implementation; or • The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a time frame for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency where applicable. This time frame shall not exceed six months from the date of the publication of the Grand Jury report; or • The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefor. REQUIRED RESPONSE – WITHIN 90 DAYS The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors (All findings, all recommendations) Invited Responses The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury also invites the following entities or individuals to respond. The Humboldt County Department of Aviation (All findings, all recommendations) Responses are to be sent to: The Honorable Judge Kelly L. Neel Humboldt County Superior Court 825 5th Street, Eureka, CA 95501 The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury PO Box 657, Eureka, CA 95502 A Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code section 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury.
Conclusions 1
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CL1 Page 10The Department of Aviation operates smoothly. It benefits from hiring Managers with strong backgrounds in airport management. Economic pressures and potential cuts to FAA funding in the current and future fiscal years may affect grant funding income. The Board of Supervisors and the first Director of Aviation implemented some of the most critical recommendations identified in the Volaire report, but several recommendations should still be considered for implementation. The Volaire report remains relevant and should be reviewed again by the Board of Supervisors and the new Director of Aviation. This activity should continue, allowing the Department to develop a stronger economic position. Filling the vacant Director position and amending the role of the Aviation Advisory Committee are two critical steps moving forward. The first step has been completed, and the second step is in process. The new Director will start in June, and the Board of Supervisors is currently evaluating the roles and composition of the Advisory Committee.
Observations 2
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OB1 Page 9Because of their location, large number of based aircraft, mix of traffic, and the relatively good condition of their physical plants, Arcata-Eureka Airport (ACV), Rohnerville Airport, and Garberville Airport are the three best positioned airports for the future of the County. Each of the three other airports have major issues that will cause the County to undertake expensive fixes, so they remain safe. This report is not designed to recommend airport closures. That is beyond the scope. But it is clear the County's leadership will face major decisions regarding Murray Field, Kneeland Airport, and Dinsmore Airport. County must be prepared to solicit stakeholder and constituent input to consider potential airport closures as facilities further deteriorate. While Kneeland Airport is the only Humboldt County airport "above the fog" it is rarely used by fixed wing aircraft. Instead, it is used for helicopter operations by CalFire and the US Coast Guard. Kneeland's runway has lost dozens of feet of length as the hillside slumps on one end. An endangered plant habitat is at that (slumping) end of the runway, so a large environmental study will be required before it can be repaired. The repair, itself, could be a seven-figure project. Similarly, the Van Duzen River is eating away at the south side of the Dinsmore Airport threatening to take part of the runway with it. This area would need to be shored-up, and the runway potentially re-built over the long-term. Beyond the issues with the River, Dinsmore Airport is surrounded by large trees that continue to grow and now block approaches to both ends of the runway. The Airport is primarily used by medivac helicopters so the trees are not currently a significant problem. Murray Field is built on wetlands and it is one of the few airports in the United States to sit below sea level. Users of the Airport, which is actually Humboldt County's busiest in terms of takeoffs and landings, report the runway is heaving, sinking, and cracking as are the taxiways. In time, the runway will require a complete re-build in order for it to remain safe. Part of the Airport lies within the purview of the California Coastal Commission which could make runway reconstruction difficult environmentally. Eventually, Humboldt County will have difficult choices to make about the future of Murray, Kneeland, and Dinsmore airports. The County will either need to invest significant money to re-build runways or re-purpose each airport. Kneeland and Dinsmore could be converted to helipads at limited cost. The situation at Murray Field will be the most difficult to address.
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OB2 Page 10Economic Development The Volaire report discussed ways the County can develop land and create incentives for new businesses to locate on-site. The Grand Jury learned that there is currently no solid business plan or strategy to utilize or develop the surrounding land for expanded business opportunities. However, a long-term planning tool does exist. In 2025, Humboldt County hired Lochner Armstong7 to update the Airport System Plan, which involves taking inventory of all six public- use airports operated by the county. The plan can be used to assess existing facilities and future airport development needs. The Airport System Plan identifies areas designated as non- aeronautical; these areas could potentially be developed to generate revenue. Several individuals interviewed by the Grand Jury expressed optimism that the new Director of Aviation will focus on economic development opportunities while continuing to make airport improvements.
No Responses Found 2
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
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