[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 26 (Thursday, February 7, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2659-2660]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-01493]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Release From Federal Surplus Property and Grant 
Assurance Obligations at Lost Hills Airport, Lost Hills, California

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of request to release airport land and permanently close 
airport.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to rule and 
invites public comment for the release of approximately 336 acres of 
airport property at the Lost Hills Airport (Airport) in Lost Hills, 
California from all conditions contained in the Surplus Property Deed 
and Grant Assurances because the Airport land is not needed for airport 
purposes. The land requested to be released is located at the northeast 
corner of State Route 46 and Lost Hills Road in Lost Hills California. 
The subject land is adjacent to offsite agricultural uses, sewage 
treatment ponds and residential and commercial development. On the west 
side of the Airport there is a small industrial lease area and one 
water well. Whereas, on the southwest portion of the Airport there is a 
soccer complex, County public park and fire station. The Airport land 
will be sold via County public auction at Fair Market Value (FMV) for 
either its existing use as industrial/public facility or conversion to 
agricultural use. The County public park and fire station currently 
located on Airport land will be sold at its FMV for continued 
uninterrupted use. The proceeds from the sale of airport land will be 
reinvested into Meadows Field and Kern Valley airports, therefore 
benefitting general aviation. Unamortized Airport Improvement Program 
Grant funds in the amount of $426,289 will be reinvested into general 
aviation grant projects at either Meadows Field Airport or Kern Valley 
Airport, both located in Kern County, California.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 11, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments on the request must be mailed 
or delivered to the FAA at the following address: George Aiken, Federal 
Aviation Administration, Office of Airports, Western-Pacific Region, 
AWP-610.1, Federal Register Comment, 777 S Aviation Boulevard, Suite 
150, El Segundo, CA 90245. Phone: (424) 405-7306. Additionally, one 
copy of the comment submitted to the FAA must be mailed or delivered to 
Mark Witsoe, Director of Airports, County of Kern, 3701 Wings Way, 
Bakersfield, CA 93308.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Wendell H. Ford 
Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21), 
Public Law 106-181 (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

    The County of Kern, Department of Airports, requested a release 
from Federal surplus property and grant assurance obligations for 
approximately 336 acres of airport land, at Lost Hills Airport (L84), 
to allow for its permanent closure and sale and reinvestment into 
Meadows Field and Kern Valley Airports. The property was originally 
acquired pursuant to the Surplus Property Act of 1944 and was deeded to 
the County of Kern on October 25, 1948. The property is located in the 
rural community of Lost Hills, in Kern County, California, 
approximately 46 miles northwest of downtown Bakersfield. The Airport 
land is not needed for airport purposes, has zero based aircraft and no 
aviation services are currently available.
    The Airport land area includes an industrial lease area, soccer 
complex, County public park and fire station. The soccer complex lease 
has been terminated and will be sold as part of the airport land 
auction. The County park and fire station will be released separately 
based on Fair Market Value to the County for continued public use. 
Basic utilities are available in the area for future capital 
improvements, however, there are no irrigation water rights with the 
property for agricultural use.
    The County of Kern will sell the land at fair market value. The 
sales proceeds will provide general aviation improvements at Meadows 
Field and Kern Valley airports, thereby serving the interests of 
general aviation.


[[Page 2660]]


    Issued in El Segundo, California, on January 30, 2019.
Brian Q. Armstrong,
Manager, Safety and Standards Branch, Office of Airports, Western-
Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 2019-01493 Filed 2-6-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P