[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 140 (Tuesday, July 22, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39296-39299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-19234]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Notice of Opportunity to Participate, Criteria Requirements and
Change of Application Procedure for Participation in the Fiscal Year
1997 Military Airport Program (MAP)
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of criteria for application and designation,
redesignation, or continued participation, in the Fiscal Year 1997
Military Airport Program (MAP).
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the criteria, application procedures and
schedule to be applied by the Secretary of Transportation in
designating, redesignating, and funding capital development for up to
12 airports in the 1997 MAP.
The 1997 MAP allows the Secretary to consider current or former
military airports: (1) that were realigned or closed under Base
Realignment and Closure (BRAC) procedures or 10 USC 2687 (property
normally reported to the General Services Administration for disposal);
or (2) at which grants would reduce delays at airports that have 20,000
hours of annual delay in passenger aircraft takeoffs and landings; or
(3) which will enhance airport and air traffic control system capacity
in a metropolitan area.
DATES: Airport sponsors should address written applications for
designation, redesignation, or continued participation, in the fiscal
year 1997 MAP to the FAA regional Airports Division or Airports
District Office that serves the airport. Applications must be received
by that office of the FAA within 20 days after the date this notice is
published in the Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: Send an original and two copies of Standard Form 424,
``Application for Federal Assistance,'' and supporting and justifying
documentation, specifically requesting to be considered for designation
to participate, or continue, in the fiscal year 1997 Military Airport
Program, to the Regional FAA Airports Division or Airports District
Office that serves the airport.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James V. Mottley or Leonard C.
Sandelli, Military Airport Program (APP-4), Office of Airport Planning
and Programming, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 800
Independence Avenue, SW.,
[[Page 39297]]
Washington, DC. 20591, (202) 267-8780, or (202) 267-8785, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
General Description of the Program: The Military Airport Program is
a 4% funding set aside of the discretionary portion of the Airport
Improvement Program for projects at current or former military airports
to assist in converting them to civil use and to have them contribute
to capacity of the national air transportation system and/or reduce
congestion at congested airports.
Number of Airports: A maximum of 12 airports can participate in the
1997 MAP. There are eight airports currently designated and the
Secretary can designate up to four more.
Amount of MAP funds: The Secretary of Transportation shall allocate
at least 4.0% of the Discretionary Airport Improvement Program grant
funds available to airports designated under the 1997 MAP. For 1997
this amount is $18,512,311.
Term of designation: Five years is the maximum period of
eligibility for any airport to participate in the MAP unless an airport
sponsor applies for and is selected for redesignation.
Reapplication: Section 124 of the 1996 Federal Aviation
Reauthorization Act of 1996 permits previously designated airports to
apply for an additional five year period if the airport has
satisfactory MAP eligible projects and continues to satisfy the
designation criteria for the MAP.
Eligible Projects: In addition to other eligible AIP projects,
terminals, fuel farms, utility systems and parking lots and hangars are
eligible to be funded from the MAP.
New Designation Considerations: In making designations of new
candidate airports, the Secretary of Transportation will consider the
following general requirements:
1. The airport is a Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC)
or 10 USC 2687 closure or realignment, classified as a commercial
service or reliever airport in the National Plan of Integrated Airport
Systems (NPIAS); or
2. The airport and grants issued for projects at the airport would
reduce delays at an airport with more than 20,000 hours of annual
delays in commercial passenger aircraft takeoffs and landings. Airports
with 20,000 or more hours of delay and their associated metropolitan
areas are identified in the FAA's Aviation Capacity Enhancement Plan.
DOT/FAA, Office of System Capacity, 1996 Aviation Capacity Enhancement
Plan, Report No. DOT/FAA/ASC-96 1.; or
3. The airport would enhance airport and air traffic control system
capacity in a metropolitan area or reduce current or projected flight
delays.
The application will be evaluated on how the proposed airport and
associated projects would make these contributions to conversion and
congestion relief and/or how the airport would enhance air traffic or
airport system capacity.
Project Evaluation: The FAA will evaluate the need for the projects
in the candidate airport's five year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP),
whether these projects are related to conversion or capacity of that
airport or the airport and/or air traffic system. It is the intent of
the Secretary of Transportation to fund those airports that have the
greatest conversion needs and/or where the benefits to the capacity of
the air traffic control or airport system can be maximized, or the
contribution to reducing congestion can be maximized. Generally, the
recently approved BRAC or Title 10 Section 2678 closing or realigned
bases or active bases with new joint use agreements will be the
locations with the greatest conversion needs.
1. The FAA will evaluate the candidate airports and/or the airports
such candidates would relieve, based on the following factors:
Compatibility of airport roles;
The capability of the candidate airport and its airside
and landside complex to serve aircraft that otherwise must use the
relieved airport;
Landside surface access;
Airport operational capability, including peak hour and
annual throughput capacities of the candidate airport;
Potential of other metropolitan area airports to relieve
the congested airport;
Ability to satisfy or meet air cargo demand within the
metropolitan area;
Forecasted aircraft and passenger levels, type of air
carrier service anticipated, i.e., scheduled and/or charter air carrier
service;
Type of aircraft projected to serve the airport and level
of operation at the relieved airport and the candidate airport;
The potential for the candidate airport to be served by
aircraft or users, including the airlines, serving the congested
airport;
Ability to replace an existing commercial service or
reliever airport serving the area; and
Any other documentation to support the FAA designation of
the new airport.
2. The FAA will evaluate the conversion and capacity related needs
which, if funded would make the airport a more viable civil airport.
This procedure conforms with FAA procedures for administering the
Airport Improvement Program (AIP), the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 47118,
as amended by Section 116 of Public Law 103-305 (August 23, 1994), the
Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act of 1996, and certain
recommendations made by the General Accounting Office (GAO) in its
Report B-256001 (1994), entitled ``The Military Airport Program Has Not
Achieved Intended Impact.''
Application Procedures
Airport sponsors applying for consideration for inclusion (``New
Airports'' or ``Redesignation'') or continuation in the MAP (``Current
Airports Applying for Continuation'') must complete a Standard Form
424, ``Application for Federal Assistance,'' and submit documentation
to the appropriate FAA office as outlined below. Each sponsor must
specifically state in the Standard Form 424, or in its transmittal,
that the airport is: (1) applying in response to this notice for
consideration as a candidate for the MAP; (2) if designated in 1993 or
thereafter, that the airport is applying as a continuing participant in
the MAP; or (3) applying for resignation. The additional information
and data required to support the MAP criteria must be attached to the
Application.
Application Procedures and Required Documentation
New Candidate Airports
A. Qualifications for additional candidates: (1) Submit an
Application for Federal Assistance, Standard Form 424, along with the
documentation and justification indicated below to request designation
by the Secretary of Transportation to participate in the Military
Airport Program. This should identify the airport as either a current
or former military airport and identify whether it was closed or
realigned under Public Law 100-526, Public Law 101-510 (Installations
approved for closure by the Defense Base Realignment and Closure
Commissions), 10 U.S.C. 2687 (bases closed by DOD and reported to the
General Services Administration) or a joint use of an active military
airfield.
(2) Documentation that the airport meets the definition of a
``public airport'' as defined in 49 U.S.C. Section 47102 (16).
(3) Documentation that the required environmental review process
for civil or joint-use of the military airfield has been completed.
(This is not the
[[Page 39298]]
environmental review for the projects under this program, but the
environmental review necessary for title transfer, a long term lease,
or a joint use agreement). The environmental reviews and approvals must
indicate that the airport would be able to receive grants during the
five years in the program.
(4) In the case of a former military airport, documentation that
the local or State airport sponsor holds or will hold satisfactory
title, or a long term lease for 20 years or more, to the property on
which the civil airport is being located. In the case of a current
military airport, documentation that the airport sponsor has an
existing joint-use agreement with the military department having
jurisdiction over the airport. This is necessary so the FAA can legally
issue grants to the sponsor.
(5) Documentation that the service level the airport is expected to
provide is a ``commercial-service airport'' or a ``reliever airport''
as defined in 49 U.S.C. 47102 (7) and 47102 (18), respectively, and is
included in the current National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.
(6) Documentation that the airport has an eligible airport
``sponsor'' as defined in 49 U.S.C. 47102 (19).
(7) Documentation that the airport has an approved airport layout
plan (ALP) and a five year capital improvement plan indicating all
eligible grant projects either to be funded from the MAP or other
portions of the Airport Improvement Program. The five year plan must
also specifically identify the capacity and conversion related
projects, associated costs and projected five year schedule of project
construction, including those requested for consideration for 1997 MAP
funding.
(8) Information identifying the existing and potential levels of
visual or instrument operations and aeronautical activity at the
current or former military airport and the relieved airport. Also, if
applicable, information on how the airport contributes to air traffic
system or airport system capacity. If served by commercial air
carriers, the revenue passenger and cargo levels should be provided.
(9) A description of the projected civil role and development needs
for transitioning from use as a military airfield to a civil airport,
as appropriate, and how development projects would serve to convert the
airport to civil use and/or reduce delays at an airport with more than
20,000 hours of annual delay in commercial passenger aircraft takeoffs
and landings and/or how the projects would contribute to the airport
and air traffic control system capacity in a metropolitan area or
reduce current or projected flight delays.
(10) A description of the existing airspace capacity. Describe how
anticipated new operations would affect the surrounding airspace and
air traffic flow patterns in the metropolitan area in or near which a
current or former military airport is located. Include a discussion of
the level to which operations at this airport create airspace conflicts
that may cause congestion or whether air traffic works into the flow of
other air traffic in the area.
(11) A description of the five year capital improvement plan (CIP),
including a discussion of major projects, their priorities, projected
schedule for project accomplishment, and estimated costs. Capacity
related, and/or conversion related projects should be specifically
identified, especially those that the airport sponsor proposes to fund
under the MAP. A copy of the CIP should also be submitted.
(12) A description of projects that are consistent with the role of
the airport and effectively contribute to converting the airfield to a
civil airport. Projects can be related to various improvement
categories depending on the need to convert from military to civil
airport use, to meet required civil airport standards, and/or required
to provide capacity to the airport and/or airport system. The projects
selected , i.e., conversion-related, and capacity-related, must be
identified and fully explained based on the airport's planned use. The
sponsor needs to submit the airport layout plan (ALP) and other maps or
charts that clearly identify and help clarify the eligible projects and
designate them as conversion-related, or capacity-related. It should be
cross referenced with the project costs and project descriptions.
Projects that could be eligible under MAP if needed for conversion-
related or capacity-related purposes include:
Airside:
Modification of airport or military airfield or airport
pavements (including widths), marking, lighting, pavement
strengthening, and imaginary surface standards to meet civil standards.
Facilities or support facilities such as passenger
terminal gates, aprons for passenger terminals, taxiways to new
terminal facilities, aircraft parking, and cargo facilities to
accommodate civil use.
Modification of airport or military utilities (electrical
distribution systems, communications lines, water, sewer, drainage) to
meet civil standards. Also, modifications that allow civil airport
utilities to operate independently if other portions of the base are
severed from the airport. (This is important where portions of the base
are being transferred to an entity different from the airport sponsor.)
Purchase, rehabilitation, or modification of airport and
support facilities, including aircraft rescue and fire fighting
buildings and equipment, airport security requirements, lighting
vaults, and reconfiguration or relocation of buildings for more
efficient civil airport operations, snow removal equipment.
Modification of airport or military airfield fuel systems
and fuel farms to accommodate civil aviation activities.
Acquisition of additional land for runway protection
zones, other approach protection, or airport development.
Landside
Construction of surface parking areas and access roads to
accommodate automobiles in the airport terminal area and provide an
adequate level of access to the airport.
Construction or relocation of access roads to provide
efficient and convenient movement of vehicular traffic to, on and from
the airport, including access to passenger, air cargo, fixed base
operations, and aircraft maintenance areas.
Modification or construction of facilities such as
passenger terminals, surface automobile parking, hangars, and access to
cargo facilities to accommodate civil use.
(13) An evaluation of the ability of surface transportation
facilities (road, rail, high speed rail, maritime) to provide
intermodal connections.
(14) A description of the type and level of aviation and community
interest in the civil use of a current or former military airport.
(15) One copy of the FAA approved ALP for each copy of the
application. The ALP or supporting information should clearly show
capacity and conversion related projects. Also, other information such
as project costs, schedule, project justification, other maps and
drawings showing the project locations, and any other supporting
documentation that would make the application easier to understand
should be included.
Current Airports Applying for Continuation
B. Airports with less than 5 years in the MAP need to submit the
following in order to respond to this notice and remain in the program.
(1) An Application for Federal Assistance, Standard Form 424, along
with the documentation and
[[Page 39299]]
justification indicated below to request participation in the Military
Airport Program. Identify the airport as one with less than five years
in the MAP applying for continuation.
(2) Identify the existing and potential levels of visual or
instrument operations and aeronautical activity at the current or
former military airport and the relieved airport.
(3) Provide a detailed discussion of the projected civil role and
continuing development needs for converting a military airfield to a
civil airport, and/or how development projects would reduce delays at
an airport with more than 20,000 hours of annual delay in commercial
passenger aircraft takeoffs and landings, if applicable.
(4) Describe the five year CIP, including a discussion of major
projects, their priorities, projected schedule for project
accomplishment, and estimated costs, annotated and identified as
capacity related, and/or conversion related purposes.
(5) Submit one copy of the FAA approved ALP for each copy of the
application. The ALP should clearly show the CIP projects. Also include
any other information or drawings that would show and/or clarify the
five year plan identifying capacity, and conversion related projects,
associated costs, schedule, and project justification.
Airports that have already submitted this information for the 1996
Military Airport Program and have been continued only need to submit
updated information and changes in order to continue receiving grants
under this program.
Redesignation of Airports Previously Designated and Applying for
Another Five Year Term in the Program
C. Airports applying for another five years in the Military Airport
Program need to submit the information required by new candidate
airports applying for a new designation.
This notice is issued pursuant to section 49 U.S.C. 47118.
Issued at Washington, DC, on July 12, 1997.
Paul L. Galis,
Director, Office of Airport Planning and Programming.
[FR Doc. 97-19234 Filed 7-21-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
