[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 13, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2036-2039]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-593]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


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 2004 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 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 Military Airport 
Program (MAP).
    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: Airport sponsors should send applications for new designation 
and redesignation in the MAP to the FAA Regional Airports Division or 
Airports District Office that serves the airport. That office must 
receive applications on or before February 12, 2004.

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/grants_forms.html, along with any 
supporting and justifying documentation. Applicant should specifically 
request to be considered for designation or redesignation to 
participate in the fiscal year 2004 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/regions.cfm or may contact the office 
below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Murdock ([email protected]) 
or Leonard C. Sandelli ([email protected]), National Planning 
Division (APP-400), Office of Airport Planning and Programming, Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), 800 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC, 20591, (202) 267-8244, 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 to

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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 may 
also be 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 at any time. There are 5 slots available for designation or 
redesignation in FY 2004. One of the 5 airports may be designated as a 
general aviation airport.

Term of Designation

    The maximum term is five fiscal years following designation. The 
FAA can designate airports for a period 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 for 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 passenger 
terminal facilities, 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 also receive not 
more than $10,000,000 for fiscal years 2004 and 2005 and $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 also receive not more than $10,000,000 for fiscal 
years 2004 and 2005 and $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:
    (I) (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 
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
    (1) 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. (See 49 U.S.C. 47118(g)). A general aviation airport must qualify 
under (1) above.
    (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; 
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 congestion relief 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 airport's 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. It is the intent of the Secretary of 
Transportation to fund those airport projects which maximize the 
benefits to the capacity of the air traffic control and airport 
systems, and/or promote the reduction of airport congestion.
    1. The FAA will evaluate candidate airports and/or the airports 
such candidate airports would relieve based on the following specific 
factors:
    [sbull] Compatibility of airport roles and the ability of the 
airport to provide an adequate airport facility;
    [sbull] The capability of the candidate airport and its airside and 
landside complex to serve aircraft that otherwise must use the relieved 
airport;
    [sbull] Landside surface access;
    [sbull] Airport operational capability, including peak hour and 
annual capacities of the candidate airport;
    [sbull] Potential of other metropolitan area airports to relieve 
the congested airport;
    [sbull] Ability to satisfy, relieve, or meet air cargo demand 
within the metropolitan area;
    [sbull] Forecasted aircraft and passenger levels, type of 
commercial service anticipated, i.e., scheduled or charter commercial 
service;
    [sbull] Type and capacity of aircraft projected to serve the 
airport and level of operations at the relieved airport and the 
candidate airport;
    [sbull] The potential for the candidate airport to be served by 
aircraft or users, including the airlines, serving the congested 
airport;
    [sbull] Ability to replace an existing commercial service or 
reliever airport serving the area; and
    [sbull] Any other documentation to support the FAA designation of 
the candidate airport.
    2. The FAA will evaluate the development needs that, if funded, 
would make the airport a viable civil airport that will enhance system 
capacity or reduce delays. Newly closed installations or airports 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 redesignation must 
complete and submit an SF 424, ``Application for Federal Assistance,'' 
and provide supporting documentation to the appropriate FAA regional or 
district office serving that airport.
    Standard Form 424:
    Sponsors can obtain this form at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_forms.html. A form that can be completed with a computer 
is available at http://www2.faa.gov/arp/forms/

[[Page 2038]]

f424.doc. 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 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. The airport receiving a general aviation designation may be 
joint-use but must 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(16).
    (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. 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, to meet AIP requirements.
    (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 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. This is necessary so 
the FAA can legally issue grants to the sponsor. In here and (3) 
directly above, the airport must possess the necessary property rights 
in order to accept a grant for its proposed projects during FY 2004.
    (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(18), 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(19).
    (7) Documentation that the airport has an 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 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.
    (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

    [sbull] 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.
    [sbull] 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.
    [sbull] 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

[[Page 2039]]

than the airport sponsor or retained by the Government.
    [sbull] 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.
    [sbull] Modification of airport or military airfield fuel systems 
and fuel farms to accommodate civil aviation use.
    [sbull] Acquisition of additional land for runway protection zones, 
other approach protection, or airport development.
    [sbull] Cargo facility requirements.
    [sbull] Modifications which will permit the airfield to accommodate 
general aviation users.

Landside

    [sbull] 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.
    [sbull] 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.
    [sbull] 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 ALP's 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 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 January 5, 2004.
James R. White,
Acting Director, Office of Airport Planning and Programming.
[FR Doc. 04-593 Filed 1-12-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P