Moffett's Future

[Updated 9/97] The future outlook for Moffett Field has changed substantially since this was written. During the Community Advisory Committee hearings many new uses were proposed. NASA revised its' budgetary guidelines due to a reorganization that put the airfield directly under center operations; although this did not remove the budget problem it does allow NASA now to take a longer term view of the problem and solutions. NASA itself proposed six initiatives for Moffett Field, and is pursuing its' own further evaluation now.

Possible futures for Moffett, pre-CAC
- Commercial Airport
- Civil Reserve Air Fleet. Issues with NASA's draft environmental assessment
- Office / Commercial / Residential development
- General aviation - light private aircraft
- Air and Space Museum / Hotel. Wetlands, Public Park
- Land use compatibility issues

Here I summarize information provided in a 3/96 presentation by the City of Mountain View [18]. The two hour meeting was also broadcast on Mountain View and Sunnyvale public cable, and is available on videotape from the Sunnyvale Public Library. The complete presentation may also be available on the Mountain View web site.

Moffett Federal Airfield is currently owned by NASA

Used for federal flights
24,000 flights per year (65 per day)
- mostly propeller planes
- almost all during the day, though authorized for 24-hour a day operations
$3.5M annual operating deficit for NASA should be eliminated, though

If deficit is eliminated If deficit is not eliminated, either...

By means of...

Increased appropriations
Additional government agency at Moffett, with or without additional flights

No change in current operations.
NASA turns to Civil Reserve Air Fleet for additional revenue Moffett Federal Air Field closes

Commercial air carriers would use Moffett Field under government sponsorhip. Agencies involved would be NASA, the FAA, and the Department of Defense. This is the proposal made by Federal Express and United Parcel Service. Control of Moffett would pass to another entity, which might or might not use Moffett for an airport. Agencies involved would be GSA, Sunnyvale, Mountain View), San Jose, and Santa Clara County

If deficit is eliminated	If deficit is not eliminated, either...
By means of... Increased appropriations Additional government agency at Moffett, with or without additional flights No change in current operations.	NASA turns to Civil Reserve Air Fleet for additional revenue	Moffett Federal Air Field closes
Commercial air carriers would use Moffett Field under government sponsorhip. Agencies involved would be NASA, the FAA, and the Department of Defense. This is the proposal made by Federal Express and United Parcel Service.	Control of Moffett would pass to another entity, which might or might not use Moffett for an airport. Agencies involved would be GSA, Sunnyvale, Mountain View), San Jose, and Santa Clara County

Civil Reserve Air Fleet[repaired link]

Under this program, air cargo carriers can use Federal facilities in exchange for Department of Defense use of their aircraft in time of national emergency.

Used for current federal flights plus air cargo
24,000 federal flights per year (65 per day)
Plus 7,300 cargo jet flights (20 per day)
- 10 per day between 4am and 7am
- 10 per day between 7am and 8pm
Expanding to a maximum of 21,000 cargo jet flights by 2010
- One jet every 6 minutes between 4am and 7am
As a Federal facility, Moffett is not subject to local government jurisdiction, as for noise control ordinances, or flight curfew times such as apply to San Jose International airport.
NASA has stated its' intention to be a "good neighbor" to Sunnyvale and Mountain View and not act against the wishes of the community.
See GAO report on CRAF

If Moffett Federal Air Field is Closed

It would become "excess property" and other agencies could "buy" it from NASA. This is unlikely. Otherwise it would become "surplus property" and the General Services Administration (GSA) would dispose of it.

Government and non-profit agencies could make bids for the property and proposals for its' use.
A Local Redevelopment Agency (LRA) would screen proposals and submit a recommended plan to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Defense (DoD).
- Sunnyvale and Mountain View have entered into a Joint Powers Agreement to serve as the LRA for Moffett in this eventuality.
Categories of use to be considered include:
- research, education, highway construction and widening,
- homeless shelters, public health, park and recreation,
- wildlife conservation, jails and prisons,
- ports, and airports.
Most transfers would be at a discounted price for a public use
- GSA can also negotiate a sale a city or LRA, which must be at full fair market value, and then it is free to resell the property, e.g. to developers.
- Transfers for use as wildlife perserves or prisons are at no cost.
Expect that San Jose would submit a proposal to turn Moffett into a commercial airport. San Jose may not be able to grab Moffett as easily as some fear.
At the 3/23/96 public meeting in Mountain View, Matt Allen, former mayor of Mountain View, recommended that the city develop its' own plan for alternative use of Moffett in case the Federal Airfield is closed.

If Moffett Becomes a Commercial Airport

Used for air cargo jets, and possibly general aviation (mostly small propeller planes)
Capacity for up to 300,000 flights per year (820 per day) (One flight each 70 seconds of a 16 hour day.)
Even under local jurisdiction, Moffett would not be subject to local noise control and flight curfew ordinances.

Redevelopment

Who to contact

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