[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 6, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5290-5291]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-02334]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Release From Federal Surplus Property and Grant 
Assurance Obligations at Charles M. Shulz--Sonoma County Airport (STS), 
California

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Request to Release Airport Land.

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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 of 
approximately 14.5 acres of airport property at the Charles M. Shulz--
Sonoma County Airport (STS), Santa Rosa, California from the conditions 
for aviation use contained in the Surplus Property Deed and Grant 
Assurances because the parcel of land is needed for other than airport 
operational purposes. The parcel is located outside the airport's 
Active Operations Area (AOA) and separated from the AOA by the 
airport's perimeter fence. The 14.5 acres of airport land is presently 
being utilized by Sonoma County, the owner of STS, as a mitigation 
preserve and is identified as a suitable location for the United States 
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) required 2.0 acres mitigation for the 
STS Runway Safety Area (RSA) Improvement Project. The County proposed 
non-aeronautical 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 March 8, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments on the request may be mailed 
or delivered to the FAA at the following address: Mr. Fernando Yanez, 
Lead Program Manager, Federal Aviation Administration, San Francisco 
Airports District Office, Federal Register Comment, 1000 Marina 
Boulevard, Suite 220, Brisbane, CA 94005. In addition, one copy of the 
comment submitted to the FAA must be mailed or delivered to Mr. Jon G. 
Stout, Airport Manager, Charles M. Schulz--Sonoma County Airport, 2290 
Airport Boulevard, Santa Rosa, CA 95403.

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 Sonoma, California requested a release from Federal 
surplus property and grant assurance obligations for approximately 14.5 
acres of airport land to allow for a land-use change for non-
aeronautical purposes to place a conservation easement approximately 
1,600 feet east of Runway 14 end, south of the AOA, and separated by 
the airport perimeter fence. The parcel contains a wooded riparian/
creek corridor and approximately 4.5 acres of seasonal wetlands that 
were established in 1999 as off-site mitigation for other projects in 
the vicinity. The airport parcel was acquired in 1994 with Airport 
Improvement Program funds to protect the operation of an adjacent FAA 
radio transmitter receiver, to prevent incompatible land use 
development that may interfere with the antenna field, and to provide 
noise buffering. The airport pursuant to the Surplus Property Act of 
1944 was deeded to the County of Sonoma on June 20, 1949. The 
establishment of a conservation easement over the parcel is required to 
do the mitigation work that includes the 2.0 acres mitigation to 
enhance and preserve an endangered plant species, Burke's goldfields, 
as part of the compensation and required mitigation for the STS RSA 
Improvement Project. The land use change will enable the County to meet 
the requirements of the Biological Opinion issued by the United States 
Fish and Wildlife Service in connection with the RSA Project. The FAA 
issued a Record of Decision, a Finding of No Significant Impact on July 
19, 2013 for the RSA Project that required implementation of mitigation 
measures. The easement will contain provisions to continue the purpose 
of the 1994 County's acquisition of the parcel to protect the nearby 
antenna field. The parcel will also continue to act as a noise buffer 
from the airport

[[Page 5291]]

since the parcel will not serve a commercial or aeronautical purpose. 
The use of the property will not interfere with the airport or its 
operations, thereby serving the interests of civil aviation.

    Issued in Brisbane, California, on January 29, 2018.
Anthony M. Butters,
Acting Manager, San Francisco Airports District Office, Western-Pacific 
Region.
[FR Doc. 2018-02334 Filed 2-5-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


