Supplemental Guidance on the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) for Fiscal Years 2018-2020, 31834-31836 [2018-14675]

Download as PDF 31834 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 131 / Monday, July 9, 2018 / Notices sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES consumptive use of water pursuant to the Commission’s approval by rule process set forth in 18 CFR 806.22(e) and 806.22(f) for the time period specified above: Approvals by Rule Issued Under 18 CFR 806.22(f) 1. Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC, Pad ID: REPINE (07 022) T, ABR–201305009.R1, Apolacon Township, Susquehanna County, Pa.; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: May 3, 2018. 2. Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC, Pad ID: BIM, ABR–201311006.R1, Wilmot Township, Bradford County, Pa.; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: May 14, 2018. 3. Chief Oil & Gas, LLC, Pad ID: Kupscznk B Drilling Pad, ABR– 201311007.R1, Springville Township, Susquehanna County, Pa.; Consumptive Use of Up to 2.0000 mgd; Approval Date: May 17, 2018. 4. Pennsylvania General Energy Company, LLC, Pad ID: COP Tract 322 Pad E, ABR–201308002.R1, Cummings Township, Lycoming County, Pa.; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.5000 mgd; Approval Date: May 21, 2018. 5. Chief Oil & Gas, LLC, Pad ID: Garrison West Drilling Pad, ABR– 201311010.R1, Lemon Township, Wyoming County, Pa.; Consumptive Use of Up to 2.0000 mgd; Approval Date: May 24, 2018. 6. ARD Operating, LLC, Pad ID: Larry’s Creek F&G Pad G, ABR– 201308007.R1, Mifflin Township, Lycoming County, Pa.; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: May 29, 2018. 7. ARD Operating, LLC, Pad ID: Elbow F&G Pad D, ABR–201309013.R1, Cogan House Township, Lycoming County, Pa.; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: May 29, 2018. 8. ARD Operating, LLC, Pad ID: Kenmar HC Pad A, ABR–201309014.R1, Cogan House Township, Lycoming County, Pa.; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: May 29, 2018. 9. ARD Operating, LLC, Pad ID: Alden Evans Pad A, ABR–201805001, Cascade Township, Lycoming County, Pa.; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: May 29, 2018. 10. ARD Operating, LLC, Pad ID: MAC Pad B, ABR–201805002, Cascade Township, Lycoming County, Pa.; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: May 29, 2018. 11. Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation, Pad ID: ThomasR P1, ABR–201305005.R1, Lenox Township, Susquehanna County, Pa.; Consumptive Use of Up to 5.0000 mgd; Approval Date: May 29, 2018. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:00 Jul 06, 2018 Jkt 244001 12. Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation, Pad ID: DiazM P1, ABR–201805003, Springville Township, Susquehanna County, Pa.; Consumptive Use of Up to 5.0000 mgd; Approval Date: May 29, 2018. Authority: Pub. L. 91–575, 84 Stat. 1509 et seq., 18 CFR parts 806, 807, and 808. Dated: July 3, 2018. Stephanie L. Richardson, Secretary to the Commission. [FR Doc. 2018–14671 Filed 7–6–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7040–01–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration [Docket No: FAA–2018–0526] Supplemental Guidance on the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) for Fiscal Years 2018–2020 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. Department of Transportation. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The FAA is announcing the process for eligible airport sponsors in two categories to notify the FAA of any supplemental discretionary funding requests. The process includes two distinct deadlines with different submission requirements. The FAA may award supplemental discretionary funding regardless of whether the airport sponsor previously identified the project through the Airports Capital Improvement Plan (ACIP) process during the preceding year. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elliott Black, Director, Office of Airport Planning and Programming, APP–1, at (202) 267–8775. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (hereafter referred to as ‘‘the Act’’) appropriated ‘‘an additional amount for ‘‘Grants-In-Aid for Airports’’, to enable the Secretary of Transportation to make grants for projects as authorized by subchapter 1 of chapter 471 and subchapter 1 of chapter 475 of title 49, U.S.C., $1,000,000,000, to remain available through September 30, 2020.’’ 1 The Act also stipulated that: • The Secretary shall distribute funds provided under this heading as discretionary grants to airports; • The Secretary shall give priority consideration to projects at (a) nonprimary airports that are classified SUMMARY: 1 The Act authorizes the Administrator of the FAA to retain up to 0.5 percent of this amount to fund the award and oversight of these grants. PO 00000 Frm 00120 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 as Regional, Local, or Basic airports and not located within a Metropolitan or Micropolitan Statistical Area as defined by the Office of Management and Budget; or (b) primary airports that are classified as Small Hub or Nonhub airports; and • The Federal share payable of the costs for which a grant is made under this heading to a nonprimary airport shall be 100 percent. For grants at primary airports, the normal Federal share applies based on the airport category and project type. The FAA administers the AIP in accordance with FAA Order 5100.38D, Airport Improvement Program Handbook.2 The AIP Handbook explains what types of capital projects may be eligible and justified for AIP funding depending on the airport category, project type, and specific category or categories of AIP funding to be requested. In addition, the FAA normally relies on the ACIP process 3 outlined in FAA Order 5100.39A, Airports Capital Improvement Plan to evaluate and prioritize AIP funding requests, particularly those involving discretionary funds. Because of the unique statutory requirements associated with the supplemental discretionary funding made available by the Act, the FAA is hereby establishing a special process for airports to notify the FAA of any associated funding requests. The process outlined in this notice relates solely to the selection process. All other applicable rules and requirements apply, including, but not limited to, the requirements for project eligibility and justification, procurement processes, and other requirements as set forth in the FAA orders referenced above. It is also important to note that this process relates solely to the supplemental discretionary funding provided by the Act and does not relieve any airport sponsor of its responsibilities under the existing ACIP process for any other category of AIP funding. If an airport sponsor has properly submitted its AIP funding requests for Fiscal Years (FY) 2018– 2020 and does not want to be considered for supplemental funding, then the airport sponsor does not need to take any other steps in response to this notice. Conversely, the process outlined in this notice does not take the 2 Available online at: https://www.faa.gov/ airports/aip/aip_handbook/. 3 Available online at: https://www.faa.gov/ regulations_policies/orders_notices/index.cfm/go/ document.information/documentID/12759. E:\FR\FM\09JYN1.SGM 09JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 131 / Monday, July 9, 2018 / Notices sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES place of the normal ACIP process for regular AIP funding requests for FY 2019–2021. The FAA anticipates issuing grants from this supplemental funding during FYs 2018, 2019, and 2020. However, the FAA cannot predict how much of the funding it will obligate in each fiscal year until the FAA receives and evaluates the requests from airport sponsors. Any airport identified in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) report 4 is eligible to request supplemental discretionary funding under the Act. However, as noted above, the Act requires the FAA to give ‘‘priority consideration’’ to airports meeting certain criteria. The FAA has identified the subset of NPIAS airports that meet the criteria in the Act. That list is available online at: https:// www.faa.gov/airports/aip/aip_ supplemental_appropriation/. The relevant deadlines are: Deadline #1 (for requests for supplemental funding in FY 2018): By August 8, 2018, any airport meeting the criteria for ‘‘priority consideration’’ is invited to notify the FAA’s appropriate Airports District Office (ADO) (or regional office (RO) if there is no ADO) of the airport’s desire to be considered for FY 2018 supplemental discretionary funding as provided in the Act. In submitting such notifications to the FAA, the airport sponsor must include the following information via electronic mail (email): • Name and official three-letter identifier of the airport, its location, and NPIAS number; • Brief description of the project (no more than 50 words); • Brief explanation (no more than 500 words) of how the project meets the evaluation criteria set forth later in this notice; • Target timeframe for grant award and construction start; 5 and • Brief description (no more than 250 words) explaining how the airport sponsor is using its available AIP entitlement funds. The FAA requires an explanation of how the airport sponsor is using its entitlement funds because of a statutory requirement. Title 49 U.S.C. 47120 4 Available online at: https://www.faa.gov/ airports/planning_capacity/npias/reports/media/ NPIAS-Report-2017-2021-Appendix-A.xlsx. 5 This typically refers to the date of ‘‘Notice to Proceed.’’ The FAA recognizes that in certain types of climate, actual construction start may be delayed due to meteorological conditions. The FAA also recognizes that some airport sponsors may request supplemental funding for equipment acquisition rather than actual construction. In such cases, the airport sponsor must provide the associated timeline and key milestones. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:00 Jul 06, 2018 Jkt 244001 31835 stipulates that the FAA ‘‘. . . shall discourage airport sponsors and airports from using entitlement funds for lower priority projects by giving lower priority to discretionary projects submitted by airport sponsors and airports that have used entitlement funds for projects that have a lower priority than the projects for which discretionary funds are being requested.’’ Therefore, as with regular AIP discretionary funds, an airport sponsor may request supplemental funding even if they are using their entitlements on a lower-priority project, but the FAA is required to consider that fact as part of the evaluation process. If an airport sponsor has already carried over their available entitlements in FY 2018, the FAA may still consider a supplemental funding request for FY 2018, as long as the airport sponsor provides an explanation of their previous decision. The FAA will consider the airport sponsor’s explanation including the airport sponsor’s future plans for those funds. It is not necessary to submit a completed OMB Form SF 424, Application for Federal Assistance, or any other documentation prior to Deadline #1. After evaluating all requests, the FAA may encourage an airport sponsor to prepare a final grant application if the FAA believes the project may compete well. For projects not selected in FY 2018, the FAA will retain those requests for reconsideration during FY 2019 or FY 2020. For Deadline #1, the FAA will only consider grant applications for projects for which airports have already completed all of the required planning, airspace reviews, environmental and other permitting requirements, and engineering design. In addition, the FAA will only consider grant applications for which construction bids will be received in time for the airport sponsor to be administratively prepared to accept a grant by September 1, 2018, with construction starting within 6 months thereafter or no later than March 1, 2019.6 The FAA will consider such requests in conjunction with the FAA’s existing responsibility to fully obligate all other AIP funds by September 30, 2018, generally for projects that airport sponsors had previously requested through the ACIP process. Deadline #2 (for requests for supplemental funding in FY 2019 or 2020): By October 31, 2018, any eligible NPIAS airport is invited to notify the FAA’s appropriate ADO (or RO if there is no ADO) of the airport sponsor’s desire to be considered for supplemental discretionary funding in FY 2019 or FY 2020. The FAA will update the list of airports eligible for ‘‘priority consideration’’ after publishing the next update of the NPIAS Report, which the FAA plans to publish in September 2018. Based on the funding requests received, the FAA will consider such requests with due consideration of the FAA’s existing responsibility to fully obligate all other available AIP funds by September 30 of each fiscal year, generally for projects previously requested through the ACIP process. In submitting such notifications to the FAA, the airport sponsor must include all of the information identified under Deadline #1, plus the following additional information: • Brief explanation (no more than 250 words) explaining the status of the proposed project, including whether the project has already been approved on the airport’s current Airport Layout Plan (ALP), the status of related environmental reviews, other required permitting, and the level of engineering design completed; and • For airports that do not meet the criteria for ‘‘priority consideration,’’ a brief explanation (no more than 500 words) outlining why the airport sponsor believes the FAA should consider the project for this supplemental funding. Airports must submit the preceding information to the appropriate ADO or RO via electronic mail in order to facilitate timely review and consideration by the FAA. The FAA will consider grant applications for projects where the FAA has a high degree of confidence that the airport sponsor will be administratively prepared to accept a grant by September 1, 2020, or earlier with construction starting within 6 months thereafter 7 or no later than March 1, 2021. 6 Please see footnote 4, which is applicable in this context as well. 7 See footnote 4, which is applicable in this context as well. PO 00000 Frm 00121 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 For Airports in Block Grant States or Channeling Act States For nonprimary airports located in block grant states, the airport sponsor must also provide a copy of its supplemental discretionary funding request to the designated state aeronautical agency. The FAA will consult with state aeronautical agencies, as appropriate, before making decisions regarding requests from nonprimary airports in each state. The FAA encourages block-grant states (and states with channeling acts regarding Federal funds) to work with E:\FR\FM\09JYN1.SGM 09JYN1 31836 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 131 / Monday, July 9, 2018 / Notices eligible airport sponsors to coordinate potential funding requests. The FAA will consider recommendations from state aeronautical agencies as part of the overall evaluation process. [FR Doc. 2018–14675 Filed 7–6–18; 8:45 am] Evaluation Criteria BILLING CODE 4910–13–P sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES The FAA will consider supplemental discretionary funding requests based on (but not limited to) the following criteria: • Eligibility and justification of the project pursuant to existing AIP eligibility rules; • Ability of the project to enhance the long-term economic sustainability of the airport; 8 • The airport sponsor’s previous track record in project delivery and grant management (including any issues related to the airport’s existing Federal grant obligations); • Likelihood of the proposed project to be ready to proceed into construction during the same fiscal year as grant award or within 6 months of grant award; 9 • Ability of the project to compete for regular AIP discretionary funding—i.e., FAA may give higher consideration to projects that might not otherwise get funded or that might not otherwise get funded as soon; and • For requests from airports that do not meet the statutory criteria for ‘‘priority consideration,’’ the strength of the justification for why the FAA should consider the project. Please note that under both deadlines: • The FAA will not make its conclusions public or announce any planned grants from the supplemental funding until after completing the required congressional notification for each proposed grant award. • After evaluating all requests, the FAA may encourage an airport sponsor to prepare a final grant application if the FAA believes the project may compete well. • Complete and timely grant applications (OMB Form SF 424, including all required information) will still be required as part of the final grant application package in accordance with the applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. 8 The FAA encourages airport sponsors to provide some level of detail regarding how the project will address unmet aeronautical demand, increase aeronautical revenues, reduce future capital or operating costs, or otherwise strengthen the airport’s financial stability (beyond the operational benefits of the immediate proposed capital development). Airport sponsors should also demonstrate how the proposed project is consistent with the airport’s existing master plan. 9 See footnote 4, which is applicable in this context as well. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:00 Jul 06, 2018 Issued in Washington, DC, on July 3, 2018. Elliott Black, Director, Office of Airport Planning and Programming, Federal Aviation Administration. Jkt 244001 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2018–0180] Hours of Service of Drivers: Application for Exemption; Extension of Comment Period; Small Business in Transportation Coalition Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of extension of comment period. AGENCY: comment. Please see the Privacy Act heading below. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments, go to www.regulations.gov at any time or visit Room W12–140 on the ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The on-line FDMS is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information concerning this notice, contact Mr. Tom Yager, Chief, FMCSA Driver and Carrier Operations Division; Office of Carrier, Driver and Vehicle Safety Standards; Telephone: 614–942– 6477. Email: MCPSD@dot.gov. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Docket Services, telephone (202) 366–9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 5, 2018, FMCSA published a notice of exemption application for the Small Business in Transportation Coalition (SBTC), requesting an exemption from the electronic logging device (ELD) requirements for all motor carriers with fewer than 50 employees. (83 FR 26140.) Due to reported technical difficulty with the on-line filing of comments for several days, the comment period is being extended to July 16, 2018, to ensure that all commenters have an opportunity to submit their on-line comments. I. Public Participation and Request for Comments FMCSA encourages you to participate by submitting comments and related materials. Comments must be received on or before July 16, 2018. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Number FMCSA–2018–0180 by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. See the Public Participation and Request for Comments section below for further information. • Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001. • Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12– 140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. • Fax: 1–202–493–2251 • Each submission must include the Agency name and the docket number for this notice. Note that DOT posts all comments received without change to www.regulations.gov, including any personal information included in a Submitting Comments If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this notice (FMCSA–2018–0180), indicate the specific section of this document to which the comment applies, and provide a reason for suggestions or recommendations. You may submit your comments and material online or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only one of these means. FMCSA recommends that you include your name and a mailing address, an email address, or a phone number in the body of your document so the Agency can contact you if it has questions regarding your submission. To submit your comments online, go to www.regulations.gov and put the docket number, ‘‘FMCSA–2018–0180’’ in the ‘‘Keyword’’ box, and click ‘‘Search.’’ When the new screen appears, click on ‘‘Comment Now!’’ button and type your comment into the text box in the following screen. Choose whether you are submitting your comment as an individual or on behalf of a third party and then submit. If you SUMMARY: DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00122 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\09JYN1.SGM 09JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 131 (Monday, July 9, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31834-31836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14675]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Docket No: FAA-2018-0526]


Supplemental Guidance on the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) 
for Fiscal Years 2018-2020

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. Department of 
Transportation.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is announcing the process for eligible airport 
sponsors in two categories to notify the FAA of any supplemental 
discretionary funding requests. The process includes two distinct 
deadlines with different submission requirements. The FAA may award 
supplemental discretionary funding regardless of whether the airport 
sponsor previously identified the project through the Airports Capital 
Improvement Plan (ACIP) process during the preceding year.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elliott Black, Director, Office of 
Airport Planning and Programming, APP-1, at (202) 267-8775.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 
(hereafter referred to as ``the Act'') appropriated ``an additional 
amount for ``Grants-In-Aid for Airports'', to enable the Secretary of 
Transportation to make grants for projects as authorized by subchapter 
1 of chapter 471 and subchapter 1 of chapter 475 of title 49, U.S.C., 
$1,000,000,000, to remain available through September 30, 2020.'' \1\ 
The Act also stipulated that:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The Act authorizes the Administrator of the FAA to retain up 
to 0.5 percent of this amount to fund the award and oversight of 
these grants.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     The Secretary shall distribute funds provided under this 
heading as discretionary grants to airports;
     The Secretary shall give priority consideration to 
projects at (a) nonprimary airports that are classified as Regional, 
Local, or Basic airports and not located within a Metropolitan or 
Micropolitan Statistical Area as defined by the Office of Management 
and Budget; or (b) primary airports that are classified as Small Hub or 
Nonhub airports; and
     The Federal share payable of the costs for which a grant 
is made under this heading to a nonprimary airport shall be 100 
percent.
    For grants at primary airports, the normal Federal share applies 
based on the airport category and project type.
    The FAA administers the AIP in accordance with FAA Order 5100.38D, 
Airport Improvement Program Handbook.\2\ The AIP Handbook explains what 
types of capital projects may be eligible and justified for AIP funding 
depending on the airport category, project type, and specific category 
or categories of AIP funding to be requested.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Available online at: https://www.faa.gov/airports/aip/aip_handbook/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, the FAA normally relies on the ACIP process \3\ 
outlined in FAA Order 5100.39A, Airports Capital Improvement Plan to 
evaluate and prioritize AIP funding requests, particularly those 
involving discretionary funds. Because of the unique statutory 
requirements associated with the supplemental discretionary funding 
made available by the Act, the FAA is hereby establishing a special 
process for airports to notify the FAA of any associated funding 
requests.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Available online at: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/orders_notices/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentID/12759.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The process outlined in this notice relates solely to the selection 
process. All other applicable rules and requirements apply, including, 
but not limited to, the requirements for project eligibility and 
justification, procurement processes, and other requirements as set 
forth in the FAA orders referenced above.
    It is also important to note that this process relates solely to 
the supplemental discretionary funding provided by the Act and does not 
relieve any airport sponsor of its responsibilities under the existing 
ACIP process for any other category of AIP funding. If an airport 
sponsor has properly submitted its AIP funding requests for Fiscal 
Years (FY) 2018-2020 and does not want to be considered for 
supplemental funding, then the airport sponsor does not need to take 
any other steps in response to this notice. Conversely, the process 
outlined in this notice does not take the

[[Page 31835]]

place of the normal ACIP process for regular AIP funding requests for 
FY 2019-2021.
    The FAA anticipates issuing grants from this supplemental funding 
during FYs 2018, 2019, and 2020. However, the FAA cannot predict how 
much of the funding it will obligate in each fiscal year until the FAA 
receives and evaluates the requests from airport sponsors.
    Any airport identified in the National Plan of Integrated Airport 
Systems (NPIAS) report \4\ is eligible to request supplemental 
discretionary funding under the Act. However, as noted above, the Act 
requires the FAA to give ``priority consideration'' to airports meeting 
certain criteria. The FAA has identified the subset of NPIAS airports 
that meet the criteria in the Act. That list is available online at: 
https://www.faa.gov/airports/aip/aip_supplemental_appropriation/. The 
relevant deadlines are:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Available online at: https://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/npias/reports/media/NPIAS-Report-2017-2021-Appendix-A.xlsx.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Deadline #1 (for requests for supplemental funding in FY 2018): By 
August 8, 2018, any airport meeting the criteria for ``priority 
consideration'' is invited to notify the FAA's appropriate Airports 
District Office (ADO) (or regional office (RO) if there is no ADO) of 
the airport's desire to be considered for FY 2018 supplemental 
discretionary funding as provided in the Act.
    In submitting such notifications to the FAA, the airport sponsor 
must include the following information via electronic mail (email):
     Name and official three-letter identifier of the airport, 
its location, and NPIAS number;
     Brief description of the project (no more than 50 words);
     Brief explanation (no more than 500 words) of how the 
project meets the evaluation criteria set forth later in this notice;
     Target timeframe for grant award and construction start; 
\5\ and
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ This typically refers to the date of ``Notice to Proceed.'' 
The FAA recognizes that in certain types of climate, actual 
construction start may be delayed due to meteorological conditions. 
The FAA also recognizes that some airport sponsors may request 
supplemental funding for equipment acquisition rather than actual 
construction. In such cases, the airport sponsor must provide the 
associated timeline and key milestones.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Brief description (no more than 250 words) explaining how 
the airport sponsor is using its available AIP entitlement funds.
    The FAA requires an explanation of how the airport sponsor is using 
its entitlement funds because of a statutory requirement. Title 49 
U.S.C. 47120 stipulates that the FAA ``. . . shall discourage airport 
sponsors and airports from using entitlement funds for lower priority 
projects by giving lower priority to discretionary projects submitted 
by airport sponsors and airports that have used entitlement funds for 
projects that have a lower priority than the projects for which 
discretionary funds are being requested.'' Therefore, as with regular 
AIP discretionary funds, an airport sponsor may request supplemental 
funding even if they are using their entitlements on a lower-priority 
project, but the FAA is required to consider that fact as part of the 
evaluation process.
    If an airport sponsor has already carried over their available 
entitlements in FY 2018, the FAA may still consider a supplemental 
funding request for FY 2018, as long as the airport sponsor provides an 
explanation of their previous decision. The FAA will consider the 
airport sponsor's explanation including the airport sponsor's future 
plans for those funds.
    It is not necessary to submit a completed OMB Form SF 424, 
Application for Federal Assistance, or any other documentation prior to 
Deadline #1. After evaluating all requests, the FAA may encourage an 
airport sponsor to prepare a final grant application if the FAA 
believes the project may compete well. For projects not selected in FY 
2018, the FAA will retain those requests for reconsideration during FY 
2019 or FY 2020.
    For Deadline #1, the FAA will only consider grant applications for 
projects for which airports have already completed all of the required 
planning, airspace reviews, environmental and other permitting 
requirements, and engineering design. In addition, the FAA will only 
consider grant applications for which construction bids will be 
received in time for the airport sponsor to be administratively 
prepared to accept a grant by September 1, 2018, with construction 
starting within 6 months thereafter or no later than March 1, 2019.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ Please see footnote 4, which is applicable in this context 
as well.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA will consider such requests in conjunction with the FAA's 
existing responsibility to fully obligate all other AIP funds by 
September 30, 2018, generally for projects that airport sponsors had 
previously requested through the ACIP process.
    Deadline #2 (for requests for supplemental funding in FY 2019 or 
2020): By October 31, 2018, any eligible NPIAS airport is invited to 
notify the FAA's appropriate ADO (or RO if there is no ADO) of the 
airport sponsor's desire to be considered for supplemental 
discretionary funding in FY 2019 or FY 2020. The FAA will update the 
list of airports eligible for ``priority consideration'' after 
publishing the next update of the NPIAS Report, which the FAA plans to 
publish in September 2018.
    Based on the funding requests received, the FAA will consider such 
requests with due consideration of the FAA's existing responsibility to 
fully obligate all other available AIP funds by September 30 of each 
fiscal year, generally for projects previously requested through the 
ACIP process.
    In submitting such notifications to the FAA, the airport sponsor 
must include all of the information identified under Deadline #1, plus 
the following additional information:
     Brief explanation (no more than 250 words) explaining the 
status of the proposed project, including whether the project has 
already been approved on the airport's current Airport Layout Plan 
(ALP), the status of related environmental reviews, other required 
permitting, and the level of engineering design completed; and
     For airports that do not meet the criteria for ``priority 
consideration,'' a brief explanation (no more than 500 words) outlining 
why the airport sponsor believes the FAA should consider the project 
for this supplemental funding.
    Airports must submit the preceding information to the appropriate 
ADO or RO via electronic mail in order to facilitate timely review and 
consideration by the FAA. The FAA will consider grant applications for 
projects where the FAA has a high degree of confidence that the airport 
sponsor will be administratively prepared to accept a grant by 
September 1, 2020, or earlier with construction starting within 6 
months thereafter \7\ or no later than March 1, 2021.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ See footnote 4, which is applicable in this context as well.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

For Airports in Block Grant States or Channeling Act States

    For nonprimary airports located in block grant states, the airport 
sponsor must also provide a copy of its supplemental discretionary 
funding request to the designated state aeronautical agency. The FAA 
will consult with state aeronautical agencies, as appropriate, before 
making decisions regarding requests from nonprimary airports in each 
state.
    The FAA encourages block-grant states (and states with channeling 
acts regarding Federal funds) to work with

[[Page 31836]]

eligible airport sponsors to coordinate potential funding requests. The 
FAA will consider recommendations from state aeronautical agencies as 
part of the overall evaluation process.

Evaluation Criteria

    The FAA will consider supplemental discretionary funding requests 
based on (but not limited to) the following criteria:
     Eligibility and justification of the project pursuant to 
existing AIP eligibility rules;
     Ability of the project to enhance the long-term economic 
sustainability of the airport; \8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ The FAA encourages airport sponsors to provide some level of 
detail regarding how the project will address unmet aeronautical 
demand, increase aeronautical revenues, reduce future capital or 
operating costs, or otherwise strengthen the airport's financial 
stability (beyond the operational benefits of the immediate proposed 
capital development). Airport sponsors should also demonstrate how 
the proposed project is consistent with the airport's existing 
master plan.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     The airport sponsor's previous track record in project 
delivery and grant management (including any issues related to the 
airport's existing Federal grant obligations);
     Likelihood of the proposed project to be ready to proceed 
into construction during the same fiscal year as grant award or within 
6 months of grant award; \9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ See footnote 4, which is applicable in this context as well.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Ability of the project to compete for regular AIP 
discretionary funding--i.e., FAA may give higher consideration to 
projects that might not otherwise get funded or that might not 
otherwise get funded as soon; and
     For requests from airports that do not meet the statutory 
criteria for ``priority consideration,'' the strength of the 
justification for why the FAA should consider the project.
    Please note that under both deadlines:
     The FAA will not make its conclusions public or announce 
any planned grants from the supplemental funding until after completing 
the required congressional notification for each proposed grant award.
     After evaluating all requests, the FAA may encourage an 
airport sponsor to prepare a final grant application if the FAA 
believes the project may compete well.
     Complete and timely grant applications (OMB Form SF 424, 
including all required information) will still be required as part of 
the final grant application package in accordance with the applicable 
statutory and regulatory requirements.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 3, 2018.
Elliott Black,
Director, Office of Airport Planning and Programming, Federal Aviation 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2018-14675 Filed 7-6-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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