Paine Field
Mediated Role Determination (MRD)
In 1978-79, Snohomish County Commissioners adopted a resolution describing the role for future air services at Paine Field. The resolution became known as the Mediated Role Determination (“MRD”) document. The MRD document calls for light aircraft to be Paine Field’s primary users. It encourages growth of aircraft-related industries, business and corporate aviation, air taxi and commuter service. It discourages growth beyond 1978 service levels of air cargo aviation, supplemental and charter air passenger service, large transport crew training operations, and military aviation.
On October 23, 2002, to jump-start a faltering economy, the County Council and former County Executive Bob Drewel, approved an Economic Stimulus Plan. Among many other things, the Plan required exploration of regional air service at Paine Field. The Regional Air Service Report requested by County Council is due to be provided to the Council soon.
Some in the Snohomish County community are concerned that the Regional Air Service Report might replace the MRD document as the expression of the County’s intentions with respect to development of Paine Field.
County Executive Aaron Reardon responded by convening a panel to conduct an open, transparent community-based dialogue. The panel’s mission is to review the 30-year-old MRD document and update the role of future air service development at Paine Field. Former Mukilteo Mayor Don Doran and Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson agreed to co-chair the MRD panel, which represents the disparate views of the community. Executive Reardon charged the panel to study current factual information as it relates to the MRD document and recommend policy decisions regarding the MRD.
Meeting Information: Agendas, Minutes, Handouts and Presentation Materials
Contact Information
Panel Members
News Release September 11, 2006: MRD Panel/Selection of Counsel
The final Report on Mediated Role Determination for Paine Field was completed on May 16, 2007 and is available now (1.6 MB - PDF).