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STIKINE AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND TAHLTAN NATION SECURE $918,652 FUNDING TO ENHANCE DEASE LAKE AIRPORT

The Stikine Airport Authority, in partnership with the Tahltan Nation Development Corporation and Tahltan Band, is proud to announce the receipt of $918,652 in funding from the BC Air Access Program (BCAAP). This substantial investment will be used to implement advanced perimeter fencing and to create a designated recreational pathway around the perimeter of the Dease Lake Airport.

A 6-foot chain-link fence with the option of adding 18 inches of barbed wire on top will be installed. This represents an upgrade from the deteriorating 3 to 4 foot wooden and barbed wire fencing currently present on the north side and the absence of fencing on the south side; animals currently have easy access to the runway from the south (resulting in incidents) or get entangled in the barbed wire on the north side. The pathway will serve recreational purposes, accommodating activities such as snowmobiling, ATV riding, walking, jogging, and biking, along a roughly 3.4 km route encircling the airport.

"As the airport operator, TNDC has worked tirelessly with Stikine Airport Authority and our partners to improve infrastructure and services at the Dease Lake airport. This is yet another example of our unwavering commitment to airport safety and regional development in Tahltan Territory," added Todd den Engelsen, CEO, TNDC.

"This initiative underscores our commitment to enhancing our infrastructure in a way that aligns with our cultural values and community needs; indeed, this grant not only enhances safety at our airport but also accommodates the community's needs, fostering ease of commuting for our people,” remarked Carmen McPhee, Chief, Tahltan Band.

The ongoing collaboration between the Stikine Airport Authority, Tahltan Nation Development Corporation, Tahltan Band, Tahltan Central Government, and Iskut Band underscores a commitment to enhancing community infrastructure, which has resulted in significantly improved medevac response times at the Dease Lake Airport.

This significant investment from the BCAAP marks a milestone in the ongoing efforts to enhance aviation infrastructure and safety in the region. The commitment to upgrading the airport perimeter demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing evolving safety needs while promoting community wellbeing and connectivity.

The Dease Lake Airport is a vital community resource in health and emergency operations as well as a central access point for the exploration/mining industry in British Columbia’s Golden Triangle. Extensive safety and capital upgrades, including runway repaving and lighting improvements, carried out in 2021, led to a significant reduction in medevac times, from 20.5 hours to 5.3 hours.

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