Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants Program, 14462-14464 [2012-5706]
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 47 / Friday, March 9, 2012 / Notices
comprising the submittal, are available
for review at the FAA office listed above
and at the administrative offices of the
W.K. Kellogg Airport, Mr. Lawrence
Bowron, 15551 S. Airport Road, Battle
Creek, MI 49015. The Record of
Approval will also be available on-line
at: https://www.faa.gov/
airports_airtraffic/airports/
environmental/airport_noise/part_150/
states/.
Issued in Romulus, Michigan on February
17, 2012.
John L. Mayfield, Jr.,
Manager, Detroit Airports District Office.
[FR Doc. 2012–5701 Filed 3–8–12; 8:45 am]
gloria.dunderman@faa.gov. Attendees
will have to present picture ID at the
security desk and be escorted to the
Round Room. Members of the public
may present a written statement to the
Committee at any time.
Issued in Washington, DC on February 24,
2012.
Wilson Felder,
Director, William J. Hughes Technical Center.
[FR Doc. 2012–5690 Filed 3–8–12; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–M
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Space Transportation Infrastructure
Matching Grants Program
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of request for grant
proposals for the Space Transportation
Infrastructure Matching Grants Program.
AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration
Research, Engineering and
Development Advisory Committee
Pursuant to section 10(A)(2) of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub.
L. 92–463; 5 U.S.C. App. 2), notice is
hereby given of a meeting of the FAA
Research, Engineering and Development
(R,E&D) Advisory Committee.
AGENCY: Federal Aviation
Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of Meeting.
Name: Research, Engineering &
Development Advisory Committee.
Time and Date: April 18, 2012—9:30
a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Federal Aviation
Administration, 800 Independence
Avenue SW—Round Room (10th Floor),
Washington, DC 20591.
Purpose: The meeting agenda will
include receiving from the Committee
guidance for FAA’s research and
development investments in the areas of
air traffic services, airports, aircraft
safety, human factors and environment
and energy. Attendance is open to the
interested public but seating is limited.
Persons wishing to attend the meeting
or obtain information should contact
Gloria Dunderman at (202) 267–8937 or
This notice solicits Fiscal
Year (FY) 2012 grant proposals to
continue the development of a
Commercial Space Transportation
infrastructure system that supports the
National Space Policy and
Congressional intent. Begun in 2010, the
program supports the Commercial Space
Transportation industry by
identification, prioritization, and
funding for Commercial Space
Transportation infrastructure projects.
This program has been previously
referred to as the Commercial Space
Transportation Grants Program.
The FAA/AST intends to continue
funding the Space Transportation
Infrastructure Matching Grants Program
for FY 2012. However, funding has not
been determined at this time. In order
for the FAA/AST to swiftly execute
grant awards within FY 2012, should
funding be available, the FAA/AST is
requesting grant applications at this
time. The FAA/AST intends to receive,
process, and evaluate the applications
in a timely manner, and in accordance
with the notional schedule listed below,
SUMMARY:
so should there be available funding, the
recipients will already be selected and
the awards can be made within FY
2012. There remains the possibility that
no funds will be available in FY 2012
for the Space Transportation
Infrastructure Matching Grants Program.
If no funds are available, no grant
applications submitted in response to
this Notice will be approved and
funded.
This Notice will be the only
solicitation made for FY 2012 projects
and proposals. The FAA/AST will
review and evaluate all applications for
a grant received by the deadline,
pursuant to 51 U.S.C. Chapter 511. The
FAA/AST may make one or more grant
awards based upon its evaluations of the
submissions. All grants awarded under
the Space Transportation Infrastructure
Matching Grants Program are
discretionary awards. Projects to be
funded under the Space Transportation
Infrastructure Matching Grants Program
must carry out commercial space
transportation infrastructure
development, as defined in 51 U.S.C.
51101.
In order for the FAA/AST to
award funds (if appropriated) before the
end of FY 2012, the following notional
schedule is provided.
Submission Open Period Opens:
March 8, 2012.
Submission Open Period Closes: May
11, 2012.
Review, Selection, and Approval
Period: May 14, 2012 to June 1, 2012.
Announcement: July 17, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Applicants can get more
information about the Space
Transportation Infrastructure Matching
Grants Program, to include a checklist
for the submission package, by:
1. Accessing the Office of Commercial
Space Transportation Web site at:
https://www.faa.gov/go/ast; or
2. Contacting Julie Price or Glenn
Rizner, AST–100, for program
questions; or
3. Contacting Greg Carter, AGC–510,
for legal questions.
DATES:
Office
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Julie Price ...............................................................................................................
Glenn Rizner ...........................................................................................................
Greg Carter .............................................................................................................
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Space Transportation
Infrastructure Matching Grants Program
is intended to ‘‘ensure the resiliency of
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202–267–3194
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202–267–5463
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the space transportation infrastructure
in the United States.’’ To help further
establish United States’ Commercial
Space Transportation-related goals,
Congress established the Space
Transportation Infrastructure Matching
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Email
Julie.Price@faa.gov.
Glenn.Rizner@faa.gov.
Greg.Carter@faa.gov.
Grants Program, now found in 51 U.S.C.
Chapter 511—Space Transportation
Infrastructure Matching Grants.
Congressional authorization was
established FY 1994 for the use of
Federal monies to fund up to fifty
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 47 / Friday, March 9, 2012 / Notices
percent (50%) of total project cost in
conjunction with state and local
government funding. The legislation
also requires a minimum of ten percent
(10%) of the total project cost come
from private funding. The first
Congressional appropriation for the
Space Transportation Infrastructure
Matching Grants Program came in FY
2010. Should Space Transportation
Infrastructure Matching Grants be
awarded in FY 2012, this will be the
third year of the program.
The FAA/AST reviews, evaluates, and
oversees the Space Transportation
Infrastructure Matching Grants Program.
Notionally, the award of the grant
monies will be on or about July 17,
2012. To meet this award date,
applicants must submit their grant
proposals on or before May 11, 2012.
Additional information related to the
Space Transportation Infrastructure
Matching Grants Program can be found
at the Office of Commercial Space
Transportation Web site or by
contacting one of the Points of Contacts;
this information is listed above.
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
The Space Transportation
Infrastructure Matching Grants
Program
To meet the intent of the program,
development projects eligible for
funding include:
1. Technical and environmental
studies; or
2. Construction, improvement, design,
and engineering of space transportation
infrastructure (including facilities and
associated equipment).
The Space Transportation
Infrastructure Matching Grants Program
will not fund more than 50% of the total
project cost, and project financing must
include a private component of at least
10% of the total project cost.
Given that the FAA/AST may award
multiple grants, applicants may submit
multiple grant proposals, provided they
are for separate projects and meet the
matching requirements independently.
Environmental Requirements
Approval of grant funding is a major
federal action subject to review under
the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.,
as implemented by the regulations of
the Council on Environmental Quality
at 40 CFR part 1500 and FAA Order
1050.1E, Change 1, and other Federal
environmental laws. Because of this, the
FAA anticipates that it may be most
cost-effective for applicants who have
already undergone NEPA review to
apply for a grant this fiscal year.
In order for a launch site to receive a
license to operate, a NEPA review will
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already have been conducted. The
launch site operator could seek a grant
for projects that the FAA considered as
part of that license. Although having a
license is not a requirement for a grant
award, the environmental requirements
may already be met for launch sites with
a license.
Under 51 U.S.C. 51104, infrastructure
development projects selected for a
Space Transportation Infrastructure
Matching Grant must meet three
additional environmental requirements:
1. The project must provide for the
protection and enhancement of the
natural resources and the quality of the
environment of the United States.
Specifically, if a project will have a
significant, adverse environmental
impact, the FAA/AST shall approve the
grant application only after finding that
no feasible and prudent alternative to
the project exists and that all reasonable
steps have been taken to minimize the
adverse effect.
2. The sponsor must certify that an
opportunity for a public hearing has
been provided to consider the
economic, social, and environmental
impacts of the project and its
consistency with the goals of any
planning carried out by the community.
3. The Governor of the State in which
the project is located, or his/her
designee, must certify that there is
reasonable assurance the project will be
located, designed, constructed, and
operated to comply with applicable air
and water quality standards.
Planning projects, such as technical
and environmental studies, normally
qualify for categorical exclusion
(CATEX) under NEPA and would not
trigger the requirements listed above. If
the project normally qualifies for a
CATEX from environmental review, the
grant proposal should reference the
relevant paragraph in FAA Order
1050.1E, Polices and Procedures from
Considering Environmental Impacts,
and address whether extraordinary
circumstances exist that warrant
preparation of an environmental
assessment (EA) or environmental
impact statement (EIS).
For more details about the
environmental review for commercial
space transportation activities, please
see Guidelines for Compliance with the
National Environmental Policy Act and
Related Environmental Review Statutes
for the Licensing of Commercial
Launches and Launch Sites at https://
www.faa.gov/about/office_org/
headquarters_offices/ast/
environmental/review.
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14463
Who May Apply for a Space
Transportation Infrastructure Matching
Grant
The FAA/AST may make project grant
awards to ‘‘sponsors,’’ per 51 U.S.C
51102. Per 51 U.S.C. 51101(6), a
‘‘sponsor’’ is a public agency that
submits an application for a project
grant. Per 51 U.S.C 51101(5), a ‘‘public
agency’’ is a State or agency of a State,
a political subdivision of a State, or a
tax-supported organization.
Grant Award
The FAA/AST intends to award Space
Transportation Infrastructure Matching
Grants on or about July 17, 2012. An
FAA/AST grant offer letter may contain
requirements for assurances to ensure
the grants are consistent with 51 U.S.C
Chapter 511.
How To Apply for a Space
Transportation Infrastructure Matching
Grant
The application submission must
include the following:
1. Cover letter, signed by public
agency senior official, demonstrating the
legal authority to engage in the project,
2. Detail as to how the proposed grant
project meets the requirements of
Chapter 703:
a. Documentation demonstrating
authority as a public agency,
b. Demonstration that the grant will
not be for more than 50% of the total
cost of the project,
c. Letter(s) of Commitment from the
private sector for at least 10% of the
total cost of the project,
d. Detailed description of the project,
e. Contributions to capabilities that
serve the United States’ space
transportation needs,
f. Impacts on the competitiveness of
the United States space transportation
industry, and
g. Discussion of environmental
considerations, if applicable,
3. Consent from the head of the
appropriate agency, should the project
use Government property (land,
equipment, etc.),
4. SF–424, Application for Federal
Assistance (OMB Number 4040–0004),
5. One of the following:
a. SF–424A for non-construction
proposals, or
b. SF–424C for construction
proposals.
The forms request specific applicant
information, project information, and an
estimate of the funding and duration of
the project. They are available at
https://www.grants.gov.
Applicants for the Space
Transportation Infrastructure Matching
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 47 / Friday, March 9, 2012 / Notices
east, Burleigh Street on the north and
Lincoln Avenue on the south. Primary
design features of the project include:
All exits on the right, through traffic
stays left; full 8- to 12-foot shoulders on
all ramps and freeways; four lanes on
each approach leg; three lanes on US 45
northbound and southbound through
the core of the interchange; two lanes on
I–94 eastbound and westbound through
the core of the interchange (with a wider
median that could accommodate a third
lane in the future); several ramps with
two lanes instead of one; smoother
curves on all freeway-to-freeway
interchange ramps (minimum 45 mph
design speed); 60 mph design speed on
I–94 and US 45; access to and from US
45/I–894 provided to US 18
(Bluemound Road), but no direct access
between I–94 and Bluemound Road.
DATES: By this notice, the FHWA is
advising the public of final agency
actions subject to 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). A
claim seeking judicial review of the
Federal agency actions on the highway
project will be barred unless the claim
is filed within 180 days of this Federal
Register notice. If the Federal law that
authorizes judicial review of a claim
provides a time period of less than 180
days for filing such claim, then that
Issued in Washington, DC, on March 1,
shorter time period still applies.
2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
George C. Nield,
Bethaney Bacher-Gresock, FHWA, 525
Associate Administrator for Commercial
Junction Road Suite 8000, Madison,
Space Transportation.
Wisconsin 53717; telephone: (608) 662–
[FR Doc. 2012–5706 Filed 3–8–12; 8:45 am]
2119, email: Bethaney.BacherBILLING CODE 4910–13–P
Gresock@dot.gov. The FHWA Wisconsin
Division’s normal office hours are 7 a.m.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION to 4 p.m. central time. For the
Wisconsin Department of
Federal Highway Administration
Transportation (WisDOT): William
Mohr, PE, Wisconsin Department of
Notice of Final Federal Agency Actions Transportation, Southeast Region, 141
on Proposed Highway Project in
NW. Barstow Street, Waukesha,
Wisconsin
Wisconsin 53187; telephone: (262) 548–
6421; email: dotdtsdsezoo@dot.wi.gov.
AGENCY: Federal Highway
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is
Administration (FHWA), DOT.
hereby given that FHWA has taken final
ACTION: Notice of Limitation on Claims
agency actions subject to 23 U.S.C.
for Judicial Review of Actions by
139(l)(1) by issuing approvals for the
FHWA.
following highway project: Interstate I–
SUMMARY: This notice announces actions 94, I–894, and U.S. Highway 45 (Zoo
taken by the FHWA that are final within Interchange) in Milwaukee County,
Wisconsin, Project I.D. 1060–33–01. The
the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The
project involves reconstructing and
actions relate to a proposed highway
providing additional capacity on
project, Interstate I–94, I–894, and U.S.
approximately 3.5 miles of Interstate 94
Highway 45 (Zoo Interchange) in
(I–94) and approximately 5.5 miles of
Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. Those
United States Highway 45 (US 45)
actions grant approvals for the project.
which includes a portion of I–894, and
The project will replace the existing
local streets affected by the freeway. The
roadway and bridges and reconfigure
actions taken by FHWA, and laws under
the study-area freeway system to
which such actions were taken, are
address safety issues and design
described in the Final Environmental
deficiencies and provide additional
Impact Statement (FEIS) for the project,
capacity. The project termini are 124th
approved on October 3, 2011 (FHWA–
Street on the west, 70th Street on the
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Grants Program must submit grant
applications to the FAA/AST.
Applicants must submit an original
copy of the completed grant proposal,
plus four additional copies. One copy
(not the original) may be submitted
electronically to Ms. Julie Price at Julie.
Price@faa.gov, however the original and
additional copies must be submitted to:
Federal Aviation Administration, Office
of Commercial Space Transportation,
AST–100, c/o Ms. Julie Price, 800
Independence Avenue SW., Suite 325,
Washington, DC 20591.
Should one copy be submitted
electronically, a time stamp will be
recorded for the submission. The
original and all other copies must reach
the office on or before 12 p.m. (noon),
Eastern Time, Friday, May 11, 2012. If
no copy is submitted electronically, the
original and additional copies still must
reach the office on or before 12 p.m.
(noon), Eastern Time, Friday, May 11,
2012. There will be no allowance for
extensions of time.
Previously submitted grant
applications do not carry over and will
not be considered. Applicants must
resubmit past projects for consideration
in the new fiscal year.
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16:21 Mar 08, 2012
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WISC–EIS–09–01–F), in the Record of
Decision (ROD) issued on February 10,
2012, and in other documents in the
FHWA or WisDOT project records. The
FEIS, ROD, and other project records are
available by contacting FHWA or
WisDOT at the addresses provided
above.
The FEIS can also be viewed on the
project Web site: https://
www.dot.wisconsin.gov/projects/
sefreeways/zooenviron.htm.
This notice applies to all Federal
agency decisions as of the issuance date
of this notice and all laws under which
such actions were taken, including but
not limited to:
1. General: National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) [42 U.S.C. 4321–
4351]; Federal-Aid Highway Act
(FAHA) [23 U.S.C. 109 and 23 U.S.C.
128].
2. Air: Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7401–
7671(q)].
3. Land: Section 4(f) of the
Department of Transportation Act of
1966 [23 U.S.C. 138 and 49 U.S.C. 303],
Section 6(f) of the Land and Water
Conservation Act as amended [16 U.S.C.
4601], Farmland Protection Policy Act
of 1980 [7 U.S.C. 4201–4209], and
National Trails System Act [16 U.S.C.
1241–1249].
4. Wildlife: Endangered Species Act of
1973 [16 U.S.C. 1531–1543 and Section
1536]; Fish and Wildlife Coordination
Act [16 U.S.C. 661–666(c)]; Migratory
Bird Treaty Act [16 U.S.C. 760c–760g].
5. Historic and Cultural Resources:
Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966, as amended
[16 U.S.C. 470(f) et seq.]; Archeological
Resources Protection Act of 1977 [16
U.S.C. 470(aa)–470(ll)]; Archeological
and Historic Preservation Act [16 U.S.C.
469–469(c)]; Native American Grave
Protection and Repatriation Act [25
U.S.C. 3001 et seq.].
6. Social and Economic: Civil Rights
Act of 1964 [42 U.S.C. 2000(d) et. seq.];
American Indian Religious Freedom Act
[42 U.S.C. 1996]; Americans with
Disabilities Act [42 U.S.C. 12101];
Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real
Property Acquisition Act of 1970 [42
U.S.C. 4601 et seq. as amended by the
Uniform Relocation Act Amendments of
1987 [Pub. L. 100–17].
7. Wetlands and Water Resources:
Clean Water Act (Section 404, Section
401, Section 319) [33 U.S.C. 1251–
1376]; Land and Water Conservation
Fund [16 U.S.C. 460l–4 to 460l–11]; Safe
Drinking Water Act [42 U.S.C. 300(f)–
300(j)(6)]; TEA–21 Wetlands Mitigation
[23 U.S.C. 103(b)(6)(m), 133(b)(11)];
Flood Disaster Protection Act, [42 U.S.C.
4001–4128]; Emergency Wetlands
Resources Act, [16 U.S.C. 3921, 3931].
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 47 (Friday, March 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14462-14464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5706]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants Program
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of request for grant proposals for the Space
Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants Program.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice solicits Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 grant proposals to
continue the development of a Commercial Space Transportation
infrastructure system that supports the National Space Policy and
Congressional intent. Begun in 2010, the program supports the
Commercial Space Transportation industry by identification,
prioritization, and funding for Commercial Space Transportation
infrastructure projects. This program has been previously referred to
as the Commercial Space Transportation Grants Program.
The FAA/AST intends to continue funding the Space Transportation
Infrastructure Matching Grants Program for FY 2012. However, funding
has not been determined at this time. In order for the FAA/AST to
swiftly execute grant awards within FY 2012, should funding be
available, the FAA/AST is requesting grant applications at this time.
The FAA/AST intends to receive, process, and evaluate the applications
in a timely manner, and in accordance with the notional schedule listed
below, so should there be available funding, the recipients will
already be selected and the awards can be made within FY 2012. There
remains the possibility that no funds will be available in FY 2012 for
the Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants Program. If no
funds are available, no grant applications submitted in response to
this Notice will be approved and funded.
This Notice will be the only solicitation made for FY 2012 projects
and proposals. The FAA/AST will review and evaluate all applications
for a grant received by the deadline, pursuant to 51 U.S.C. Chapter
511. The FAA/AST may make one or more grant awards based upon its
evaluations of the submissions. All grants awarded under the Space
Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants Program are discretionary
awards. Projects to be funded under the Space Transportation
Infrastructure Matching Grants Program must carry out commercial space
transportation infrastructure development, as defined in 51 U.S.C.
51101.
DATES: In order for the FAA/AST to award funds (if appropriated) before
the end of FY 2012, the following notional schedule is provided.
Submission Open Period Opens: March 8, 2012.
Submission Open Period Closes: May 11, 2012.
Review, Selection, and Approval Period: May 14, 2012 to June 1,
2012.
Announcement: July 17, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Applicants can get more information about the Space
Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants Program, to include a
checklist for the submission package, by:
1. Accessing the Office of Commercial Space Transportation Web site
at: https://www.faa.gov/go/ast; or
2. Contacting Julie Price or Glenn Rizner, AST-100, for program
questions; or
3. Contacting Greg Carter, AGC-510, for legal questions.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office Fax Email
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Julie Price.......................... 202-493-5486 202-267-5463 Julie.Price@faa.gov.
Glenn Rizner......................... 202-267-3194 202-267-5463 Glenn.Rizner@faa.gov.
Greg Carter.......................... 202-267-3186 202-267-5261 Greg.Carter@faa.gov.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants Program is
intended to ``ensure the resiliency of the space transportation
infrastructure in the United States.'' To help further establish United
States' Commercial Space Transportation-related goals, Congress
established the Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants
Program, now found in 51 U.S.C. Chapter 511--Space Transportation
Infrastructure Matching Grants. Congressional authorization was
established FY 1994 for the use of Federal monies to fund up to fifty
[[Page 14463]]
percent (50%) of total project cost in conjunction with state and local
government funding. The legislation also requires a minimum of ten
percent (10%) of the total project cost come from private funding. The
first Congressional appropriation for the Space Transportation
Infrastructure Matching Grants Program came in FY 2010. Should Space
Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants be awarded in FY 2012,
this will be the third year of the program.
The FAA/AST reviews, evaluates, and oversees the Space
Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants Program. Notionally, the
award of the grant monies will be on or about July 17, 2012. To meet
this award date, applicants must submit their grant proposals on or
before May 11, 2012. Additional information related to the Space
Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants Program can be found at
the Office of Commercial Space Transportation Web site or by contacting
one of the Points of Contacts; this information is listed above.
The Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants Program
To meet the intent of the program, development projects eligible
for funding include:
1. Technical and environmental studies; or
2. Construction, improvement, design, and engineering of space
transportation infrastructure (including facilities and associated
equipment).
The Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants Program
will not fund more than 50% of the total project cost, and project
financing must include a private component of at least 10% of the total
project cost.
Given that the FAA/AST may award multiple grants, applicants may
submit multiple grant proposals, provided they are for separate
projects and meet the matching requirements independently.
Environmental Requirements
Approval of grant funding is a major federal action subject to
review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, 42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq., as implemented by the regulations of the Council
on Environmental Quality at 40 CFR part 1500 and FAA Order 1050.1E,
Change 1, and other Federal environmental laws. Because of this, the
FAA anticipates that it may be most cost-effective for applicants who
have already undergone NEPA review to apply for a grant this fiscal
year.
In order for a launch site to receive a license to operate, a NEPA
review will already have been conducted. The launch site operator could
seek a grant for projects that the FAA considered as part of that
license. Although having a license is not a requirement for a grant
award, the environmental requirements may already be met for launch
sites with a license.
Under 51 U.S.C. 51104, infrastructure development projects selected
for a Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grant must meet
three additional environmental requirements:
1. The project must provide for the protection and enhancement of
the natural resources and the quality of the environment of the United
States. Specifically, if a project will have a significant, adverse
environmental impact, the FAA/AST shall approve the grant application
only after finding that no feasible and prudent alternative to the
project exists and that all reasonable steps have been taken to
minimize the adverse effect.
2. The sponsor must certify that an opportunity for a public
hearing has been provided to consider the economic, social, and
environmental impacts of the project and its consistency with the goals
of any planning carried out by the community.
3. The Governor of the State in which the project is located, or
his/her designee, must certify that there is reasonable assurance the
project will be located, designed, constructed, and operated to comply
with applicable air and water quality standards.
Planning projects, such as technical and environmental studies,
normally qualify for categorical exclusion (CATEX) under NEPA and would
not trigger the requirements listed above. If the project normally
qualifies for a CATEX from environmental review, the grant proposal
should reference the relevant paragraph in FAA Order 1050.1E, Polices
and Procedures from Considering Environmental Impacts, and address
whether extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of
an environmental assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement
(EIS).
For more details about the environmental review for commercial
space transportation activities, please see Guidelines for Compliance
with the National Environmental Policy Act and Related Environmental
Review Statutes for the Licensing of Commercial Launches and Launch
Sites at https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/environmental/review.
Who May Apply for a Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grant
The FAA/AST may make project grant awards to ``sponsors,'' per 51
U.S.C 51102. Per 51 U.S.C. 51101(6), a ``sponsor'' is a public agency
that submits an application for a project grant. Per 51 U.S.C 51101(5),
a ``public agency'' is a State or agency of a State, a political
subdivision of a State, or a tax-supported organization.
Grant Award
The FAA/AST intends to award Space Transportation Infrastructure
Matching Grants on or about July 17, 2012. An FAA/AST grant offer
letter may contain requirements for assurances to ensure the grants are
consistent with 51 U.S.C Chapter 511.
How To Apply for a Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grant
The application submission must include the following:
1. Cover letter, signed by public agency senior official,
demonstrating the legal authority to engage in the project,
2. Detail as to how the proposed grant project meets the
requirements of Chapter 703:
a. Documentation demonstrating authority as a public agency,
b. Demonstration that the grant will not be for more than 50% of
the total cost of the project,
c. Letter(s) of Commitment from the private sector for at least 10%
of the total cost of the project,
d. Detailed description of the project,
e. Contributions to capabilities that serve the United States'
space transportation needs,
f. Impacts on the competitiveness of the United States space
transportation industry, and
g. Discussion of environmental considerations, if applicable,
3. Consent from the head of the appropriate agency, should the
project use Government property (land, equipment, etc.),
4. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance (OMB Number 4040-
0004),
5. One of the following:
a. SF-424A for non-construction proposals, or
b. SF-424C for construction proposals.
The forms request specific applicant information, project
information, and an estimate of the funding and duration of the
project. They are available at https://www.grants.gov.
Applicants for the Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching
[[Page 14464]]
Grants Program must submit grant applications to the FAA/AST.
Applicants must submit an original copy of the completed grant
proposal, plus four additional copies. One copy (not the original) may
be submitted electronically to Ms. Julie Price at Julie.Price@faa.gov,
however the original and additional copies must be submitted to:
Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Commercial Space
Transportation, AST-100, c/o Ms. Julie Price, 800 Independence Avenue
SW., Suite 325, Washington, DC 20591.
Should one copy be submitted electronically, a time stamp will be
recorded for the submission. The original and all other copies must
reach the office on or before 12 p.m. (noon), Eastern Time, Friday, May
11, 2012. If no copy is submitted electronically, the original and
additional copies still must reach the office on or before 12 p.m.
(noon), Eastern Time, Friday, May 11, 2012. There will be no allowance
for extensions of time.
Previously submitted grant applications do not carry over and will
not be considered. Applicants must resubmit past projects for
consideration in the new fiscal year.
Issued in Washington, DC, on March 1, 2012.
George C. Nield,
Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation.
[FR Doc. 2012-5706 Filed 3-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
