By Rob Stapleton
Alaska Journal of Commerce

The state Department of Transportation has laid out specific rules and spaces for aircraft and recreational boaters on Willow Lake.

The state designated Willow Lake as a float plane lake in 1962. In May, state officials issued a letter to homeowners and users of the lake that an area of the water and shoreline is now restricted to aircraft use and run up only, and has designated areas for landings and takeoffs.

DOT made the changes after conflicts -- mainly over aircraft noise -- between homeowners on the lake and commercial operator Willow Air Service.

The plan designates an area on the Northeast for aircraft, excluding recreational use, and can only be accessed by aircraft until a neighborhood watch program is implemented, according to DOT officials.

Willow Air, valued at $1.5 million, flies between 6:30 a.m. and just after 9 p.m. in the summer. The noise from the airplanes has annoyed local residents.

Stephen White and his wife, Gwen, have for the past 12 years owned Willow Air. They also own the Pioneer Lodge, one of the oldest lodges in the Susitna Valley.

DOT aviation leasing officers informed residents at meetings in 2005 that continued conflicts over noise could force DOT to re-designate the lake as a float plane base.

This would allow the Federal Aviation Administration to designate safety zones and would all but close the lake to recreational activities.

At a 2005 hearing, dozens of Willow Lake residents complained about the increased noise, flights, and that aircraft were flying at 4:30 a.m. Many suggested moving the business to a different lake.

This spring, DOT published a request for proposals for 20-year master plan for the Willow Airport, located across the Parks Highway from Willow Lake.