[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 23, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7529-7532]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-2039]


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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 Military 
Airport Program (MAP)

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

ACTION: Notice of criteria and application procedure for designation or 
re-designation, for the fiscal year 2001 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 or re-designating, and funding capital development annually 
for 15 current (joint-use) or former military airports seeking 
designation or re-designation to participate in the MAP. This Notice 
reflects and incorporates changes made to MAP in the Wendell H. Ford 
Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century.
    The MAP allows the Secretary to designate current (joint-use) or 
former military airports for which grants may be made under the Airport 
Improvement Program (AIP). The Secretary is authorized to designate an 
airport (other than an airport so designated before August 24, 1994) 
if: (1) The airport is a former military installation closed or 
realigned under the Title 10 U.S.C. 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: Airport sponsors should address written applications for new 
designation and re-designation in the MAP to the FAA Regional Airports 
Division or Airports District Office that serves the airport. That 
office of the FAA must receive applications on or before February 22, 
2001.

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.whitehouse.gov/OMB/grants/index.html, along with any supporting and 
justifying documentation. Applicant should specifically request to be 
considered for designation or re-designation to participate in the 
fiscal year 2001 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/arp/arphome.htm or may contact the office below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James V. Mottley 
([email protected]) or Leonard C. Sandelli ([email protected]), 
Military Airport Program Branch (APP-420), Office of Airport Planning 
and Programming, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 800 
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC, 20591, (202) 267-8780, or 
(202) 267-8785, respectively.

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 under the 
program may obtain funds from a set-aside (currently four-percent) of 
AIP discretionary funds to undertake eligible airport development, 
including certain types of projects not otherwise eligible for AIP 
assistance. Such airports may also be eligible to receive funds from 
other categories of AIP funding.

Number of Airports

    A maximum of 15 airports per fiscal year may participate in the MAP 
at any time.

Term of Designation

    The maximum period of eligibility for any airport to participate in 
the MAP is five fiscal years following designation. An airport sponsor 
having previously been in the program may apply for re-designation and, 
if found to satisfy the designation criteria upon reapplication, may 
have the opportunity to participate for subsequent periods, each not to 
exceed five fiscal years. The FAA can designate airports for a period 
less than five years. The FAA will evaluate the conversion needs of the 
airport in its five-year capital development plan to determine the 
appropriate length of designation.

Re-Designation

    49 U.S.C. 47118(d) permits previously designated airports to apply 
for re-designation. Applicants reapplying need to meet current 
eligibility criteria set forth at 49 U.S.C. 47118(a). Re-designation 
will be considered largely in terms of warranted projects fundable 
under AIP solely through the MAP. The airport must have MAP eligible 
projects and the airport must continue to satisfy the designation 
criteria for the MAP. The FAA will carefully evaluate applications for 
re-designation, as new candidates tend to have the greatest conversion 
needs.

Eligible Projects

    In addition to other eligible AIP projects, passenger terminal 
facilities, fuel farms, utility systems, surface automobile parking 
lots, hangars, and air cargo terminals up to 50,000 square feet of 
floor space are all eligible to be funded from the MAP. Designated or 
re-designated military airports can receive not more than $7,000,000 
for terminal building facility special authorized projects. Designated 
or re-designated military airports can receive not more than $7,000,000 
for special authorized 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:
    (I)(1) The airport is a former military installation closed or 
realigned under--
    (A) Section 2687 to title 10;

[[Page 7530]]

    (B) Section 201 of the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base 
Closure and Realignment Act (BRAC) (10 U.S.C. 2687 note); or
    (C) Section 2905 of the Defense Authorization Amendments and 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.
    (II) The airport is classified as a commercial service or reliever 
airport in the NPIAS. 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, 14 CFR 152.3) that was a former military 
installation closed or realigned under BRAC, as amended, or 10 U.S.C. 
2687. (49 U.S.C. 47118(g))
    (III) In designating new candidate airports, the Secretary shall 
consider if a grant would:
    (1) 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 delays and their associated 
metropolitan areas are identified in the FAA's Aviation Capacity 
Enhancement Plan DOT/FAA, Office of System Capacity, 1998 Aviation 
Capacity Enhancement Plan; 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 designation will be evaluated in terms of 
how the proposed airport and associated projects would contribute to 
congestion relief and/or how the airport would enhance air traffic or 
airport system capacity and provide adequate user services.

Project Evaluation

    Recently approved Base Closure and Realignment Acts or Title 10 
U.S.C. 2678 military airports as well as active military airfields with 
new joint use agreements will be in the greatest need of funding 
successfully to convert to or incorporate civil airport operations. 
Newly converted airports and new joint-use locations frequently have 
minimum 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 airport's five year Airport Capital Improvement Plan (ACIP). 
Of particular concern is whether these projects are related to 
development of that airport and/or the air traffic control system. It 
is the intent of the Secretary of Transportation to fund those airport 
projects where the benefits to the capacity of the air traffic control 
or airport systems can be maximized, and/or where the contribution to 
reducing congestion can be maximized.
    1. The FAA will evaluate the candidate airports and/or the airports 
such candidate airports would 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 air 
carrier service anticipated, i.e., scheduled and/or charter air carrier 
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, which if funded, 
would make the airport a viable civil airport that will enhance system 
capacity or reduce delays. Newly closing installations or airport 
sponsors with new joint-use agreements with existing military aviation 
facilities will be strongly considered for designation since they tend 
to have the greatest conversion needs.

Application Procedures and Required Documentation

    Airport sponsors applying for designation or re-designation must 
complete and submit an SF 424, ``Application for Federal Assistance,'' 
and supporting documentation to the appropriate FAA office serving that 
airport. The SF 424 must indicate whether it is an initial application 
or reapplication for the MAP, and must be accompanied by the 
documentation and justification listed below:
    (A) Identification as 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 DOD pursuant to this title 
after September 30, 1977 (this is the date of announcement for closure 
and not the date of the deed to the airport sponsor)), or
    (3) A military installation with both military and civil aircraft 
operations.
    (B) Qualifications for MAP:
    For (1) through (7) below the applicant does not need to resubmit 
any unchanged documentation that has been previously submitted to the 
Regional Airports Division or Airports District Office.
    (1) Documentation that the airport meets the definition of a 
``public airport'' as defined in 49 U.S.C. Sec. 47102(16).
    (2) Documentation indicating that the required environmental review 
process for civil reuse or joint-use of the military airfield has been 
completed. This environmental review would 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 sign a joint use agreement 
has been completed. The military department conveying or leasing the 
property, or entering into a joint use agreement, generally has the 
lead responsibility for this environmental review. The environmental 
review and approvals must indicate that the operator or owner of the 
airport has good title, satisfactory to the Secretary, or gives 
assurance that good title will be acquired, to meet AIP requirements.
    (3) In the case of 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 more, 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 Government is sufficient to indicate the eligible 
airport sponsor holds or will hold adequate title or a long-term lease.

[[Page 7531]]

    (4) 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 of the airport is expected 
to be classified as a ``commercial service airport'' or a ``reliever 
airport'' as defined in 49 U.S.C. 47102(7) and 47102(18). If the 
airport is applying for the one general aviation slot, it must supply 
documentation that it is a general aviation airport included in the 
FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airports Systems (as defined in 49 
U.S.C. 47103).
    (6) Documentation that the airport owner is an eligible airport 
``sponsor'' as defined in 49 U.S.C. 47102(19).
    (7) Documentation that the airport has an unconditionally approved 
airport layout plan (ALP) and a five-year Airport Capital Improvement 
Program (ACIP) indicating all eligible grant projects either seeking to 
be funded from the MAP or other portions of the AIP. The ACIP must also 
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.
    (8) 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.
    (9) A description of the projected civil role and development needs 
for transitioning from use as a military airfield to a civil airport, 
including how development projects would serve to reduce delays at an 
airport with more than 20,000 hours of annual delays by commercial 
passenger aircraft takeoffs and landings or enhance capacity in a 
metropolitan area.
    (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 ACIP, including a discussion of 
major projects, their priorities, projected schedule for project 
accomplishment, and estimated costs. Those eligible MAP safety, 
capacity and/or conversion-related projects proposed for MAP funding 
should be specifically identified.
    (12) 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; i.e., safety-related, 
conversion-related, and/or capacity-related, must be identified and 
fully explained based on the airport's planned use. The sponsor must 
submit the airport layout plan (ALP) and other maps or charts which 
clearly identify and help clarify the eligible projects and designate 
them as safety-related, conversion-related, or capacity-related. These 
maps and APL's should be cross-referenced with the project costs and 
project descriptions. 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 pavements modifications (i.e. 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 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.
    (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.

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

    Airports applying for re-designation to the Military Airport 
Program need to submit the same information required by new candidate 
airports applying for a new designation. On the SF 424, Assistance for 
Federal Assistance, prescribed by the Office of Management and Budget 
Circular A-102, airports must indicate their application is for re-
designation to the MAP. In addition to the above information, they must 
explain:

[[Page 7532]]

    (1) Why a re-designation 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 re-designation
    (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;
    (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; and
    (4) The term of the re-designation, not to exceed five years, for 
which the airport is applying.
    This notice is issued pursuant to Title 49 U.S.C. 47118.

    Issued at Washington, DC, on January 17th, 2001.
Catherine M. Lang,
Director, Office of Airport Planing and Programming.
[FR Doc. 01-2039 Filed 1-22-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P