[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 28, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4529-4530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-01559]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Intent To Rule on Request To Release Deed Restrictions 
at the Yellowstone Airport, West Yellowstone, Montana

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of request to release deed restrictions.

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the 
release of deed restrictions at Yellowstone Airport under the 
provisions of Title 49, U.S.C. Section 47125.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before Februrary 28, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this application may be mailed or delivered to 
the FAA at the following address: Mr. David S. Stelling, Manager, 
Federal Aviation Administration, Northwest Mountain Region, Airports 
Division, Helena Airports District Office, 2725 Skyway Drive, Suite 2, 
Helena, Montana 59602.
    In addition, one copy of any comments submitted to the FAA must be 
mailed or delivered to Ms. Debbie Alke, Administrator, Montana 
Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division, at the following 
address: Ms. Debbie Alke, Administrator, Aeronautics Division, Montana 
Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 200507, Helena, MT 59620-0507.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Steve Engebrecht, Civil Engineer/
Compliance Specialist, Federal Aviation Administration, Northwest 
Mountain Region, Helena Airports District Office, 2725 Skyway Drive, 
Suite 2, Helena, Montana 59602.
    The request to release deed restrictions may be reviewed, by 
appointment, in person at this same location.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA invites public comment on the 
request to release deed restrictions at the Yellowstone Airport under 
the provisions of the Title 49, U.S.C. 47125.
    The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, HR 658, Section 817, 
gave the Secretary of Transportation the authorization to grant an 
airport, city, or county release from any of the terms, conditions, 
reservations, or restrictions contained in a deed under which the 
United States conveyed to the airport, city, or county an interest in 
real property for airport purposes pursuant to Section 16 of the 
Federal Airport Act

[[Page 4530]]

(60 Stat. 179) or Section 23 of the Airport and Airway Development Act 
of 1970 (84 Stat. 232).
    On January 9, 2014, the FAA determined that the request to release 
deed restrictions at the Yellowstone Airport submitted by the Montana 
Department of Transportation meets the procedural requirements of the 
Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA may approve the request, in 
whole or in part, no later than February 28, 2014.
    The following is a brief overview of the request:
    The Montana Department of Transportation is proposing the release 
of deed restrictions at the Yellowstone Airport from a Correction Deed 
issued on August 12, 1968. On October 7, 1963, a deed containing 
restrictions transferred the airport property from the United States to 
the State of Montana. The airport was built in 1963 as a cooperative 
effort between the United States Departments of the Interior and 
Agriculture, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the State 
of Montana. A subsequent Correction Deed (correcting the legal 
description) issued on August 12, 1968 contains those same 
restrictions, under which the airport has operated for 50 years. In an 
effort to make the airport more economically viable, the State of 
Montana and the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) request the 
following deed restrictions be removed:
     Deed Restriction 1. ``The State of Montana will use the 
lands herein conveyed for airport development.'': Requesting release of 
214.45 acres from this deed restriction in order to maintain financial 
viability by permitting possible development of these areas for non-
airport development related purposes to generate new sources of income 
to operate and maintain the airport.
     Deed Restriction 6. ``That all facilities of the airport 
developed with Federal aid and all those useable for landing and take-
off of aircraft will be available at all times without charge for use 
by the Department of Agriculture and Interior in the conduct of its 
official business in common with other aircraft.'': Requesting release 
of all airport property from this deed restriction in order to maintain 
financial viability by being permitted to charge for substantial use by 
the Department of Agriculture and Department of Interior aircraft, in 
compliance with Grant Assurance 27.
     Deed Restriction 7. ``That no commercial overnight 
facilities, such a motels, hotels, or private residences will be 
constructed on the property herein conveyed.'': Requesting release of 
214.45 acres from this deed restriction in order to maintain financial 
viability by permitting possible development of commercial overnight 
facilities and generate new sources of income to operate and maintain 
the airport. MDT understands that residential development is non-
compliant with its federal grant assurances and has no intention of 
allowing private residences to be constructed on airport property.
     Deed Restriction 8. ``That commercial advertising signs 
will be prohibited within the airport access road area.'': Requesting 
release of 104.93 acres from this deed restriction in order to maintain 
financial viability by permitting possible development of commercial 
advertising signs within the airport access road area and generate new 
sources of income to operate and maintain the airport.
    Any person may inspect, by appointment, the request in person at 
the FAA office listed above under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    In addition, any person may, upon appointment and request, inspect 
the request to release deed restrictions and other documents germane to 
the request in person at the Yellowstone Airport.

    Issued in Helena, Montana, on January 17, 2014.
David S. Stelling,
Manager, Helena Airports District Office.
[FR Doc. 2014-01559 Filed 1-27-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P