[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 160 (Thursday, August 18, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 51462]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-21082]



[[Page 51462]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Release of an Easement Restriction at Phoenix-Mesa 
Gateway Airport, Mesa, AZ

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 a U.S. Air 
Force easement restriction covering 52.6 acres of property abutting 
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway, Mesa, Arizona, from all conditions contained in a 
grant of an easement, since the easement is not needed for civilian 
airport purposes. In exchange for the easement, the airport will 
receive 19 acres of land and a new avigation easement. Reuse of the 
land under the easement will remain compatible and not interfere with 
the airport or its operation. The interest of civil aviation is 
properly served by the release.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 19, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments on the request may be mailed 
or delivered to the FAA at the following address: Tony Garcia, Airports 
Compliance Program Manager, Federal Aviation Administration, Airports 
Division, Federal Register Comment, 15000 Aviation Blvd., Lawndale, CA 
90261. In addition, one copy of the comment submitted to the FAA must 
be mailed or delivered to Mr. Walter Fix, Phoenix-Gateway Airport 
Authority, 5835 S. Sossaman Road, Mesa, Arizona 85212, Telephone: (480) 
988-7709.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Wendell H. Ford 
Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21), 
Public Law 10-181 (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:
    Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority, Mesa, Arizona requested a 
release of an easement that was obtained from the U.S. Air Force via an 
Assignment of Easement on April 14, 1998. The easement covers 
approximately 52.6 acres of private property. It extends eastward from 
the airport boundary and is located east of Ellsworth Road and north of 
Pecos Road. Use of the private property east of the airport is 
restricted by the easement. Relinquishment of the easement will not 
harm the airport because it is being replaced with a standard avigation 
easement. The new easement will provide the airport with a continued 
right for aircraft to fly in the airspace above the private property. 
It will also prevent interference with airport operations and the 
erection of obstructions that pose a hazard to aircraft. As 
compensation, the private land owner will convey 17.53 acres of land at 
no cost to the Airport Authority that will serve an airport purpose. 
The land will allow the airport to have a complete runway protection 
zone for runway end 30R on airport property. Presently, a portion of 
the RPZ extends beyond the airport boundary to the private property 
located east of Ellsworth Road. The Airport Authority has agreed to the 
exchange because the restrictive easement is not needed and will be 
replaced with an avigation easement. The airport will be additionally 
compensated with a donation of land that has an immediate airport 
purpose. The use of the property under the new easement will continue 
to be used compatibly with the airport and not cause interference with 
airport operations. The exchange is equitable and the donation of land 
to the airport clearly serves the interests of civil aviation.

    Issued in Hawthorne, California, on August 10, 2011.
Brian Armstrong,
Manager, Safety and Standards, Airports Division, Western-Pacific 
Region.
[FR Doc. 2011-21082 Filed 8-17-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P