[§261-13.6]  Helicopter master plan;
advisory committee.  (a)  The legislature recognizes that air traffic
congestion on the ground constitutes a serious safety problem and reduces the
efficient and effective use of the limited space in airport facilities.  The
legislature also recognizes the increased use of airport facilities by
helicopters for commercial purposes.



The legislature is determined to ensure that
all possible actions are taken to promote safety, alleviate safety hazards, and
reduce congestion at airports under the State's control.  The department of
transportation shall do everything within its authority to enhance the safe use
of the State's airports and shall cooperate with appropriate federal agencies
and other affected parties to assist the agencies in meeting their
responsibilities to alleviate safety hazards.  In carrying out this
responsibility, the department shall develop and implement a master plan,
hereinafter referred to as the "helicopter master plan", for
helicopter operations for each airport under the State's control.



(b)  The director shall adopt a helicopter
master plan for each state airport that shall include but not be limited to:



(1)  The extent, type, nature, location, and timing of
helicopter operations and helicopter facilities development at each state
airport;



(2)  The layout plans of existing and proposed
helicopter facilities at each state airport;



(3)  The determination of the maximum number of
helicopters that can be accommodated at each state airport;



(4)  The determination of the extent of emergency
services, maintenance, and operations at each state airport; and



(5)  An assessment of impact on surrounding areas.



(c)  The director shall not make or permit any
addition or alteration to any helicopter facilities at any state airport other
than those additions or alterations in conformity with the helicopter master
plan for that state airport.



(d)  The helicopter master plan shall be
submitted to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening
of the regular session of 1989, and thereafter shall be formally reviewed every
five years.



(e)  There is established an advisory committee
within each county which shall sit in an advisory capacity to the director on
matters relating to the helicopter master plan for each state airport.  Each
advisory committee shall consist of not more than thirteen members to be
appointed by the director and whose membership shall include representatives
from the helicopter industry and the communities adjacent to the airport.  Each
advisory committee shall be placed for administrative purposes only, within the
department of transportation.  Each member of an advisory committee shall serve
without compensation.



(f)  For the purposes of this section,
"helicopter operation" means the operation of a helicopter company
from an airport under the State's control. [L 1988, c 397, §1]