From Aero-news.net



Mon, Nov 05, 2012
Log Fence Prompts Feud Between Airport, Fly Fishing Ranch
Fence Is Constructed Across Runway Overrun Safety Area

There is a feud underway between the owner of the Lealand Fly Fishing Ranch and pilots who use California's Sanoma Valley Airport (0Q3). Ranch owner Josh Frazier has erected a solid-log fence across the airport's runway safety overrun area.

Sonoma pilot David Mace has placed a petition on the website "Change.org" in an effort to build support for the removal of the fence.

"Josh Frazier, Leland Fly Fishing Ranch, with reckless disregard for public safety egregiously erected a solid log fence/obstacle across 65 year old Sonoma Valley Airport's Runway 17/ 35 safety overrun," the petition states. "The California Department of Transportation, Div. of Aeronautics, wrote a letter in July 2012 pointing out the dangers, but Leland would rather argue, through lawyers, if in-fact, the fence poses a danger. They want the public to be put at risk while they challenge DOT if a solid log fence will maim or kill a person should an aircraft roll out just a little too far. Please tell these Aggressors - PUBLIC SAFETY FIRST. TAKE DOWN the fence-to-nowhere now!"

Sonoma county reportedly fined the fishing ranch owner this summer for operating the facility without the required permits.

The airport is privately owned and accepts no federal money, but is open for public use. It is frequently used by the county Sheriff helicopter, the California Highway patrol aircraft and REACH life flight.

The petition has more than 600 signatures.
FMI: www.lelandpondfacts.com, Petition

Is this the same airport mentioned in this thread?

http://www.backcountrypilot.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11010&p=145122&hilit=fence#p145122

Might be much ado about nothing. Airnav says the strip is at 10' MSL and is 2700' long and paved. It's a little hard for me to imagine any normal usage, i.e., with almost any SE, that would result in an over-run need, and if the fence is off the airport property and on the "fishing ranch's" property, how could that be stopped? Neighbor squawks are not unusual, but legally, I'm having trouble seeing a remedy for the airport. There's no law against being a jerk.

Cary

17/35 is 1500 ft long. 17/35 is also only to be used with prior permission.

7/25 is 2700 ft long.

Who owns the over run area south of the runway? On Google Maps, you can clearly see the fence that runs across the over run area.

Also, the ponds are to the side of the runway over run area, too. So, not sure the issue there.

If the airport owns the runway over run area, what's stopping the airport owner from installing at least a chain link fence around the over run area to keep the pond patrons out?

Cary wrote: There's no law against being a jerk.

Cary

True, but there are pretty sensible laws about what you can build in the overrun of an existing airport runway, as well as a permitting process that helps to avoid incompatible land use near things like residences, airports, schools, etc.

This jerk has little respect for either. All of these restrictions existed before he bought his property or built his business.

Its a really cool airport with an amazing collection of odd and antique airplanes.
Check it out. Sonomavalleyairport.com