
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 191 (Friday, October 2, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 59847]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25086]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice To Amend Federal Grant Assurance Obligations at Elko 
Regional Airport (EKO), Elko, Nevada

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Land-Use Change Application to Amend Grant Agreement 
Obligations.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to rule and 
invites public comment on the application for a land-use change 
authorization effecting approximately 12.2 acres of airport property at 
the Elko Regional Airport, Elko, Nevada which will provide for an 
amendment of the Grant Agreement Assurance obligation that requires use 
of airport land for aeronautical purposes. Since the City of Elko, 
sponsor of the Elko Regional Airport, acquired the land in 1930, the 
property does not have an aeronautical purpose or planned to be used 
for an aeronautical purpose. The land-use change will authorize the 
release of the aeronautical-use obligation from the Grant Assurance 
Agreement for a proposed long term non-aeronautical commercial 
development. The 12.2 acres of airport land is identified as ``future 
commercial'' on the FAA conditionally approved Airport Layout Plan 
(ALP). The approximately 12.2 acres of airport property is currently 
zoned as ``light industrial business park'' and the land is proposed 
for retail mall development. The proposed developer will pay the costs 
to develop, manage, and improve the property for non-aeronautical 
commercial businesses. The City of Elko will lease the land at fair 
market value (FMV) to earn revenue for the airport thereby benefiting 
the airport and serving the interest of civil aviation. The proposed 
use will be compatible with the airport and will not interfere with the 
airport or its operation.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 2, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments on the request may be mailed 
or delivered to the FAA at the following address Mike N. Williams, 
Manager, Federal Aviation Administration, Phoenix Airports District 
Office, Federal Register Comment, 3800 N. Central Avenue, Suite 1025, 
10th Floor, Phoenix, Arizona 85012. In addition, one copy of the 
comment submitted to the FAA must be mailed or delivered to Mr. Mark 
Gibbs, Airport Director, Elko Regional Airport, 975 Terminal Way, Elko, 
Nevada 89801.

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 City of Elko, Nevada, owner of the Elko Regional Airport, 
requested the Federal Aviation Administration to authorize a land-use 
change on approximately 12.2 acres of airport land at the Elko Regional 
Airport. The land-use change authorization will amend the Grant 
Agreement Assurance obligations that require the use of the 12.2 acres 
of airport land for aviation purposes to allow for long term non-
aeronautical use for revenue generating purposes. The City of Elko has 
owned this portion of land in fee simple since 1930 and was acquired 
for the airport without any use of federal funding or for noise 
abatement purposes. The land has been cleared and graded many years ago 
with no additional encumbrances. With the exception of a portion of the 
subject land being used for unsecured equipment storage by the Nevada 
Department of Transportation, the land is vacant and unimproved and has 
not been used for aeronautical purposes since the parcel of land was 
acquired. The City of Elko has intended the property for non-
aeronautical development because the adjacent topography has made the 
land unsuitable for most aeronautical use. The parcels of land are 
located northeast of the secondary runway area, outside of the airport 
fence line adjacent to Taxiway B and Nevada State Highway 225 (Mountain 
City Highway).
    The City of Elko has determined the fair market value of the land 
and will ensure the FMV rental income will be devoted to airport 
maintenance, operations and capital projects which will benefit the 
airport. The reuse of the property will not interfere with the airport 
or its operation; thereby, serve the interests of civil aviation.

    Issued in Phoenix, Arizona, on September 20, 2015.
Mike N. Williams,
Manager, Phoenix Airports District Office, Western-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 2015-25086 Filed 10-1-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


