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[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 9, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52447-52450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20759]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Docket No.: FAA-2009-22842]

Notice of Opportunity To Participate, Criteria Requirements and 
Application Procedure for Participation in the Military Airport Program 
(MAP)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of criteria and application procedures for designation 
or redesignation, for the fiscal year 2009 MAP.

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SUMMARY: In anticipation of congress enacting an extension of the 
Airport Improvement Program (AIP) the FAA is publishing this annual 
notice. This notice announces the criteria, application procedures, and 
schedule to be applied by the Secretary of Transportation in 
designating or redesignating, and funding capital development annually 
for up to 15 current (joint-use) or former military airports seeking 
designation or redesignation to participate in the MAP. While FAA 
currently has continuing authority to designate or redesignate 
airports, FAA does not have authority to issue grants for fiscal year 
2009 MAP, and will not have authority until Congress enacts legislation 
enabling FAA to issue grants.
    The MAP allows the Secretary to designate current (joint-use) or 
former military airports to receive grants from the Airport Improvement 
Program (AIP). The Secretary is authorized to designate an airport 
(other than an airport designated before August 24, 1994) only if:
    (1) The airport is a former military installation closed or 
realigned under the Title 10 U.S.C. Sec. 2687 (announcement of closures 
of large Department of Defense installations after September 30, 1977), 
or under Section 201 or 2905 of the Defense Authorization Amendments 
and Base Closure and Realignment Acts; or (2) the airport is a military 
installation with both military and civil aircraft operations.
    The Secretary shall consider for designation only those current or 
former military airports, at least partly converted to civilian 
airports as part of the national air transportation system, that will 
reduce delays at airports with more than 20,000 hours of annual delays 
in commercial passenger aircraft takeoffs and landings, or will enhance 
airport and air traffic control system capacity in metropolitan areas, 
or reduce current and projected flight delays (49 U.S.C. 47118(c)).

DATES: Applications must be received on or before November 10, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Submit an original and two copies of Standard Form (SF) 424, 
``Application for Federal Assistance,'' prescribed by the Office of 
Management and Budget Circular A-102, available at http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/airports/regional_guidance/northwest_mountain/airports_resources/forms/media/applications/application_sf_424.doc 
along with any supporting and justifying documentation. Applicant 
should specifically request to be considered for designation or 
redesignation to participate in the fiscal year 2009 MAP. Submission 
should be sent to the Regional FAA Airports Division or Airports 
District Office that serves the airport. Applicants may find the proper 
office on the FAA Web site http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/airports/regional_guidance/ or may contact the office below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Kendall Ball 
([email protected]), Airports Financial Assistance Division (APP-
500), Office of Airport Planning and Programming, Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591, (202) 267-7436.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

General Description of the Program

    The MAP provides capital development assistance to civil airport 
sponsors of designated current (joint-use) military airfields or former 
military airports that are included in the FAA's National Plan of 
Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). Airports designated to the MAP may 
obtain funds from a set-aside (currently four percent) of AIP 
discretionary funds for airport development, including certain projects 
not otherwise eligible for AIP assistance. These airports are also 
eligible to receive grants from other categories of AIP funding.

Number of Airports

    A maximum of 15 airports per fiscal year (FY) may participate in 
the MAP. There are 5 slots available for designation or redesignation 
in FY 2009. There is no general aviation slot available this year.

Term of Designation

    The maximum term is five fiscal years following designation. The 
FAA can designate airports for a period of less than five years. The 
FAA will evaluate the conversion needs of the airport in its capital 
development plan to determine the appropriate length of designation.

Redesignation

    Previously designated airports may apply for redesignation of an 
additional term not to exceed five years. Those airports must meet 
current eligibility requirements in 49 U.S.C. 47118(a) at the beginning 
of each grant period and have MAP eligible projects. The FAA will 
evaluate applications for redesignation primarily in terms of warranted 
projects fundable only under the MAP as these candidates tend to have 
fewer conversion needs than new candidates. The FAA wants MAP airports 
to graduate to regular AIP participation.

Eligible Projects

    In addition to eligible AIP projects, MAP can fund fuel farms, 
utility systems, surface automobile parking lots, hangars, and air 
cargo terminals up to 50,000 square feet. Designated or redesignated 
military airports can receive not more than $7,000,000 for each fiscal 
year after 2005 for projects to construct, improve, or repair terminal 
building facilities. Designated or redesignated military airports can 
receive not more than $7,000,000 for each fiscal year after 2005 for 
MAP eligible projects that include hangars, cargo facilities, fuel 
farms, automobile surface parking, and utility work.

Designation Considerations

     In making designations of new candidate airports, the Secretary of 
Transportation may only designate an airport (other than an airport so 
designated before August 24, 1994) if it meets the following general 
requirements:
    (1) The airport is a former military installation closed or 
realigned under:
    (A) Section 2687 of Title 10;
    (B) Section 201 of the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base

[[Page 52448]]

Closure and Realignment Act (BRAC) (10 U.S.C. 2687 note); or
    (C) Section 2905 of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 
1990 (10 U.S.C. 2687 note); or
    (2) The airport is a military installation with both military and 
civil aircraft operations; and
    (3) The airport is classified as a commercial service or reliever 
airport in the NPIAS. (See 49 U.S.C. 47105(b)(2).) One of the 
designated airports, if included in the NPIAS, may be a general 
aviation (GA) airport (public airport other than an air carrier 
airport, 49 U.S.C. 47102(1), (20)) that was a former military 
installation closed or realigned under BRAC, as amended, or 10 U.S.C. 
2687. (See 49 U.S.C. 47118(g).) A general aviation airport must qualify 
under (1) above.
    In designating new candidate airports, the Secretary shall consider 
if a grant will:
    (1) Reduce delays at an airport with more than 20,000 hours of 
annual delays in commercial passenger aircraft takeoffs and landings; 
or
    (2) Enhance airport and air traffic control system capacity in a 
metropolitan area or reduce current and projected flight delays.
    The application for new designations will be evaluated in terms of 
how the proposed projects would contribute to reducing delays and/or 
how the airport would enhance air traffic or airport system capacity 
and provide adequate user services.

Project Evaluation

    Recently realigned or closed military airports, as well as active 
military airfields with new joint-use agreements, have the greatest 
need of funding to convert to, or to incorporate, civil airport 
operations. Newly converted airports and new joint-use locations 
frequently have minimal capital development resources and will 
therefore receive priority consideration for designation and MAP 
funding. The FAA will evaluate the need for eligible projects based 
upon information in the candidate airports five-year Airport Capital 
Improvement Plan (ACIP). These projects need to be related to 
development of that airport and/or the air traffic control system 
capacity.
    1. The FAA will evaluate candidate airports and/or the airports 
such candidate airports will relieve based on the following specific 
factors:
     Compatibility of airport roles and the ability of the 
airport to provide an adequate airport facility;
     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 capacities of the candidate airport;
     Potential of other metropolitan area airports to relieve 
the congested airport;
     Ability to satisfy, relieve, or meet air cargo demand 
within the metropolitan area;
     Forecasted aircraft and passenger levels, type of 
commercial service anticipated, i.e., scheduled or charter commercial 
service;
     Type and capacity of aircraft projected to serve the 
airport and level of operations 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 candidate airport.
    2. The FAA will evaluate the development needs that, if funded, 
will make the airport a viable civil airport that will enhance system 
capacity or reduce delays.

Application Procedures and Required Documentation

    Airport sponsors applying for designation or redesignation must 
complete and submit an SF 424, Application for Federal Assistance, and 
provide supporting documentation to the appropriate FAA Airports 
regional or district office serving that airport.
    Standard Form 424: Sponsors may obtain this fillable form at http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/airports/regional_guidance/northwest_mountain/airports_resources/forms/media/applications/application_sf_424.doc .
    Applicants should fill this form out completely, including the 
following:
     Mark Item 1, Type of Submission as a ``pre-application'' 
and indicate it is for ``construction.''
     Mark item 8, Type of Application as ``new,'' and in 
``other,'' fill in ``Military Airport Program.''
     Fill in Item 11, Descriptive Title of Applicants Project. 
``Designation (or redesignation) to the Military Airport Program.''
    In Item 15a, Estimated Funding, indicate the total amount of 
funding requested from the MAP during the entire term for which you are 
applying.

Supporting Documentation

    (A) Identification as a Current or Former Military Airport. The 
application must identify the airport as either a current or former 
military airport and indicate whether it was:
    (1) Closed or realigned under Section 201 of the Defense 
Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act, and/or 
Section 2905 of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 
(Installations Approved for Closure by the Defense Base Realignment and 
Closure Commissions), or
    (2) Closed or realigned pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2687 as excess 
property (bases announced for closure by Department of Defense (DOD) 
pursuant to this title after September 30, 1977 (this is the date of 
announcement for closure and not the date the property was deeded to 
the airport sponsor)), or
    (3) A military installation with both military and civil aircraft 
operations. A general aviation airport applying for the MAP may be 
joint-use but must also qualify under (1) or (2) above.
    (B) Qualifications for MAP:
    Submit documents for (1) through (7) below:
    (1) Documentation that the airport meets the definition of a 
``public airport'' as defined in 49 U.S.C. Sec. 47102(20).
    (2) Documentation indicating the required environmental review for 
civil reuse or joint-use of the military airfield has been completed. 
This environmental review need not include review of the individual 
projects to be funded by the MAP. Rather, the documentation should 
reflect that the environmental review necessary to convey the property, 
enter into a long-term lease, or finalize a joint-use agreement has 
been completed. The military department conveying or leasing the 
property, or entering into a joint-use agreement, has the lead 
responsibility for this environmental review. To meet AIP requirements 
the environmental review and approvals must indicate that the operator 
or owner of the airport has good title, satisfactory to the Secretary, 
or assures that good title will be acquired.
    (3) For a former military airport, documentation that the eligible 
airport sponsor holds or will hold satisfactory title, a long-term 
lease in furtherance of conveyance of property for airport purposes, or 
a long-term interim lease for 25 years or longer to the property on 
which the civil airport is being located. Documentation that an 
application for surplus or BRAC airport property has been accepted by 
the Federal

[[Page 52449]]

Government is sufficient to indicate the eligible airport sponsor holds 
or will hold satisfactory title or a long-term lease.
    (4) For a current military airport, documentation that the airport 
sponsor has an existing joint-use agreement with the military 
department having jurisdiction over the airport. For all first time 
applicants a copy of the existing joint-use agreement must be submitted 
with the application. This is necessary so the FAA can legally issue 
grants to the sponsor. Here and in (3) directly above, the airport must 
possess the necessary property rights in order to accept a grant for 
its proposed projects during FY 2009.
    (5) Documentation that the airport is classified as a ``commercial 
service airport'' or a ``reliever airport'' as defined in 49 U.S.C. 
47102(7) and 47102(22), unless the airport is applying for the general 
aviation slot.
    (6) Documentation that the airport owner is an eligible airport 
``sponsor'' as defined in 49 U.S.C. 47102(24).
    (7) Documentation that the airport has an FAA approved airport 
layout plan (ALP) and a five-year airport capital improvement plan 
(ACIP) indicating all eligible grant projects proposed to be funded 
either from the MAP or other portions of the AIP.
    (C) Evaluation Factors:
    Submit information on the items below to assist in our evaluation:
    (1) Information identifying the existing and potential levels of 
visual or instrument operations and aeronautical activity at the 
current or former military airport and, if applicable, 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.
    (2) A description of the airport's projected civil role and 
development needs for transitioning from use as a military airfield to 
a civil airport. Include how development projects would serve to reduce 
delays at an airport with more than 20,000 hours of annual delays in 
commercial passenger aircraft takeoffs and landings; or enhance 
capacity in a metropolitan area or reduce current and projected flight 
delays.
    (3) 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 the 
airport. Include a discussion of whether 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.
    (4) A description of the airport's five-year ACIP, including a 
discussion of major projects, their priorities, projected schedule for 
project accomplishment, and estimated costs. The ACIP must specifically 
identify the safety, capacity, and conversion related projects, 
associated costs, and projected five-year schedule of project 
construction, including those requested for consideration for MAP 
funding.
    (5) A description of those projects that are consistent with the 
role of the airport and effectively contribute to the joint-use or 
conversion of the airfield to a civil airport. The projects can be 
related to various improvement categories depending on what is needed 
to convert from military to civil airport use, to meet required civil 
airport standards, and/or to provide capacity to the airport and/or 
airport system. The projects selected (e.g., safety-related, 
conversion-related, and/or capacity-related), must be identified and 
fully explained based on the airport's planned use. Those projects that 
may be eligible under MAP, if needed for conversion or capacity-related 
purposes, must be clearly indicated, and include the following 
information:

Airside

     Modification of airport or military airfield for safety 
purposes, including airport pavement modifications (e.g., widening), 
marking, lighting, strengthening, drainage or modifying other 
structures or features in the airport environs to meet civil standards 
for airport imaginary surfaces as described in 14 CFR part 77.
     Construction of 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, storm 
drainage) to meet civil standards. Also, modifications that allow 
utilities on the civil airport to operate independently, where other 
portions of the base are conveyed to entities other than the airport 
sponsor or retained by the Government.
     Purchase, rehabilitation, or modification of airport and 
airport support facilities and equipment, including snow removal, 
aircraft rescue, fire fighting buildings and equipment, airport 
security, lighting vaults, and reconfiguration or relocation of 
eligible buildings for more efficient civil airport operations.
     Modification of airport or military airfield fuel systems 
and fuel farms to accommodate civil aviation use.
     Acquisition of additional land for runway protection 
zones, other approach protection, or airport development.
     Cargo facility requirements.
     Modifications, which will permit the airfield to 
accommodate general aviation users.

Landside

     Construction of surface parking areas and access roads to 
accommodate automobiles in the airport terminal and air cargo areas 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 lots, hangars, air 
cargo terminal buildings, and access roads to cargo facilities to 
accommodate civil use.
    (6) An evaluation of the ability of surface transportation 
facilities (road, rail, high-speed rail, maritime) to provide 
intermodal connections.
    (7) A description of the type and level of aviation and community 
interest in the civil use of a current or former military airport.
    (8) 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. 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 also be 
included. You may also provide photos, which would further describe the 
airport, projects, and otherwise clarify certain aspects of this 
application. These maps and ALPs should be cross-referenced with the 
project costs and project descriptions.

Redesignation of Airports Previously Designated and Applying for up to 
an Additional Five Years in the Program

    Airports applying for redesignation to the Military Airport Program 
must submit the same information required by new candidate airports 
applying for a new designation. On the SF 424, Application for Federal 
Assistance, prescribed by the Office of Management and Budget Circular 
A-102, airports

[[Page 52450]]

must indicate their application is for redesignation to the MAP. In 
addition to the above information, they must explain:
    (1) Why a redesignation and additional MAP eligible project funding 
is needed to accomplish the conversion to meet the civil role of the 
airport and the preferred time period for redesignation not to exceed 
five years;
    (2) Why funding of eligible work under other categories of AIP or 
other sources of funding would not accomplish the development needs of 
the airport; and
    (3) Why, based on the previously funded MAP projects, the projects 
and/or funding level were insufficient to accomplish the airport 
conversion needs and development goals.
    This notice is issued pursuant to Title 49 U.S.C. 47118.

    Issued at Washington, DC, on September 3, 2008.
Wayne Heibeck,
Deputy Director, Office of Airport Planning and Programming.
[FR Doc. E8-20759 Filed 9-8-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M
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