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[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 224 (Thursday, November 20, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69186-69187]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-27559]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

Notice of Release From Federal Grant Assurance Obligations for 
Reno-Tahoe International Airport, Reno, Nevada

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of request to release airport land.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to rule and 
invites public comment on the application for a release of 23,974 
square feet (approximately .55 acres) of airport property at Reno-Tahoe 
International Airport, Reno, Nevada from all conditions contained in 
the Grant Assurances since the parcel of land is not needed for airport 
purposes. The property consists of narrow strip of land approximately 
25 feet wide by 850 feet long. The property is located approximately 
2,500 feet east of the departure end of Reno-Tahoe Airport Runway 7/25. 
The property is separated from the airport operations area to the west 
by a public road and several non-aeronautical leaseholds and parking 
lots. The east side of the property is adjacent to East McCarran 
Boulevard. The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) and the Nevada 
Department of Transportation propose to use the land to widen East 
McCarran Boulevard, a major arterial road that serves the Reno/Sparks 
Communities. The widening of the road represents a compatible land use 
that will not interfere with the airport or its operation. The interest 
of civil aviation continues to be served by the release. The property 
will be sold at an appraised fair market value to the State of Nevada, 
Department of Transportation and the proceeds deposited in the airport 
account.

DATES: Comments must be received on the proposed land release request 
from federal obligations on or before December 22, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments on the request may be mailed 
or delivered to the FAA at the following address: Mike N. Williams, 
Manager, Federal Aviation Administration, Phoenix Airports District 
Office, Federal Register Comment, 3800 N. Central Avenue, Suite 1025, 
10th Floor, Phoenix, Arizona 85012. In addition, one copy of the 
comment submitted to the FAA must be mailed or delivered Ms. Laurie 
Weeks, Senior Manager of Properties, Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority, 2001 
E. Plumb Lane, Reno, Nevada, 89502.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Wendell H. Ford 
Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21), 
Public Law 106-181 (Apr. 5, 2000; 114 Stat. 61), this notice must be 
published in the Federal Register 30 days before the Secretary may 
waive any condition imposed on a federally obligated airport by surplus 
property conveyance deeds or grant agreements.
    The following is a brief overview of the request:
    The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) of Washoe County, the owner 
of the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, requested a release from grant 
assurance obligations for approximately 23,974 square feet of airport 
land for sale. The property was acquired as separate parcels with 
federal funding under the Airport Development Aid Program (ADAP), Grant 
No. 6-32-0017-12, and the Airport Improvement Program, Grant No. 3-32-
0017-01 and Grant No. 3-32-0017-04 for noise compatibility and approach 
protection.
    Due to its location and current condition, the property has not 
been used for aeronautical purposes. The land is currently improved 
with landscaping only. The landscaping improvements include shrubs, 
trees, rock ground cover and drip-irrigation. The land is not served by 
domestic utilities. The land is currently zoned for industrial and 
commercial uses. The subject land is part of a larger parcel which was 
leased by the RTAA and developed with industrial/warehouse facilities 
in 2004. The Nevada Department of Transportation requires the strip of 
land to accommodate the widening of East McCarran Boulevard, a major 
arterial roadway in Reno and Sparks, as part of the East McCarran 
Boulevard Widening Project. Because of the narrow width of the property 
and adjacency to the existing roadway, the land is not suitable for 
future airport development. The release and sale of the land will not 
negatively impact airport operations.
    The FAA has determined the proposed release of the property Grant 
Assurances is categorically excluded from detailed evaluation in 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. However, the 
proposed property is located within the 100-year floodplain of the 
Truckee River. Therefore, the FAA evaluated the proposed release from 
Grant Assurances in accordance with Executive Order 11988 Floodplain 
Management, and Department of Transportation Order 5650.2 Floodplain 
Management and Protection. There is no practicable alternative to 
constructing the East McCarran Boulevard Widening Project--Phase II in 
the proposed location, which is in the 100-year floodplain, because the 
100-year floodplain extends throughout the project vicinity, and East 
McCarran Boulevard is a major existing road.
    The construction of the East McCarran Boulevard Widening Project--
Phase II project after release from Grant Assurances and subsequent 
conveyance to the Nevada Department of Transportation would not 
adversely affect beneficial floodplain values such as natural 
moderation of floodwaters, water quality maintenance, groundwater 
recharge, fish or wildlife habitat, or any other floodplain value. The 
existing property consists of artificial landscaping and parking lots 
which do not possess any beneficial floodplain values and the project 
is designed so as not to change the water storage capacity of the 
existing floodplain. As discussed in a Truckee River Flood Management 
Authority letter of July 11, 2014 to the City of Reno, while the 
property is within the 100-year floodplain, as part of the East 
McCarran Boulevard Widening Project--Phase II, the Nevada Department of 
Transportation intends to provide additional flood water storage 
capacity at a volumetric ratio of 2:1 to compensate for required 
project fill associated with the widening project. As part of the FAA's 
approval of the release of the property from Grant Assurances, the FAA 
will require that the RTAA condition its sale of the property to the 
Nevada Department of Transportation with the condition that the 
Department will implement the project as described in the Truckee River 
Flood Management Authority letter of July 11, 2014 to the City of Reno, 
to provide additional flood water storage capacity at a volumetric

[[Page 69187]]

ratio of 2:1 to compensate for required project fill associated with 
the East McCarran Boulevard Phase II widening project.
    The sale price will be based on an appraised market value and the 
sale proceeds will be deposited in the airport account to be solely 
expended for the capital and operating costs of the Reno-Tahoe 
International Airport. The Reno-Tahoe International Airport, Nevada 
will be justly compensated, thereby serving the interests of civil 
aviation.

    Issued in Phoenix, Arizona, on November 14, 2014.
Mike N. Williams,
Manager, Phoenix Airports District Office, Western-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 2014-27559 Filed 11-19-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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