About Tuolumne County
Organized in 1850 as one of California's original 27 counties, Tuolumne is home to more than 55,000 residents and just one incorporated city (Sonora). The northern part of Yosemite National Park is located within the county, and the area features incredible vistas and natural scenery, including Columbia State Historic Park, Tuolumne Meadows, and Stanislaus National Forest.
About the Airports
Tuolumne County operates two public-use airports: Columbia Airport (O22) and Pine Mountain Lake Airport (E45).
- Columbia Airport features two runways: runway 17/35 is lighted and measures 4,670 feet long by 75 feet wide; and runway 11/29 is a 2,600-feet-long-by-100-feet-wide turf runway—one of only two publicly operated turf runways in the state of California. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) also bases aircraft at the airport.
- Built in 1969 as a private airport, Pine Mountain Lake Airport was deeded to the county in 1973 and now serves as a public-use airport with a single runway, 9/27, that is 3,625 feet long by 50 feet wide.
About the Study
The Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan for the airports will act as a general guide to determine the most compatible land uses and mitigate potential adverse impacts around O22 and E45. The plans will play important roles in shaping the future of the community. They will serve as guides for County and airport policy decisions relating to development around the airports, including challenges, vision, goals, actions, policies, and strategies.
