83 FR 47397 - Notice of Release From Federal Surplus Property and Grant Assurance Obligations at Francis S. Gabreski Airport (FOK), Westhampton Beach, NY

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 182 (September 19, 2018)

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the application for a release of approximately 25.8 acres of federally obligated airport property at Francis S. Gabreski Airport, Westhampton Beach, NY, from the National Emergency Use Provision contained in the Quitclaim Deed, dated July 17, 1972, and from conditions, reservations, and restrictions contained in Airport Improvement Program grants that would restrict the use of said land to aeronautical purposes, This acreage is a portion of land that was transferred from the United States of America to the county of Suffolk under the provisions of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 and the Surplus Property Act of 1944. The release will allow the airport to generate revenue through a land lease for a solar farm. The proposed use of land after the release will be compatible with the airport and will not interfere with the airport or its operation.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 19, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47397-47398]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20404]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Release From Federal Surplus Property and Grant 
Assurance Obligations at Francis S. Gabreski Airport (FOK), Westhampton 
Beach, NY

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of request to release airport land.

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the 
application for a release of approximately 25.8 acres of federally 
obligated airport property at Francis S. Gabreski Airport, Westhampton 
Beach, NY, from the National Emergency Use Provision contained in the 
Quitclaim Deed, dated July 17, 1972, and from conditions, reservations, 
and restrictions contained in Airport Improvement Program grants that 
would restrict the use of said land to aeronautical purposes, This 
acreage is a portion of land that was transferred from the United 
States of America to the county of Suffolk under the provisions of the 
Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 and the 
Surplus Property Act of 1944. The release will allow the airport to 
generate revenue through a land lease for a solar farm. The proposed 
use of land after the

[[Page 47398]]

release will be compatible with the airport and will not interfere with 
the airport or its operation.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 19, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments on this application may be 
mailed or delivered to the FAA at the following address: Sukhbir Gill, 
Acting Manager, Federal Aviation Administration, New York Airports 
District Office, Federal Register Comment, I Aviation Plaza, Jamaica, 
NY 11434. In addition, one copy of the comment submitted to the FAA 
must be mailed or delivered to Anthony Ceglio, Airport Manager, Suffolk 
County, Department of Economic Development and Planning--Aviation 
Division, Administration Building #1, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978.

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 Suffolk requested a release from grant assurance 
obligations to allow a land-use change in use for other than 
aeronautical purposes of approximately 25.8 acres of airport property 
at Francis S. Gabreski Airport. In 1969, the Suffolk County Air Force 
Base was deactivated. The land was transferred to Suffolk County in 
1972 via a Quitclaim Deed under the provisions of the Federal Property 
and Administrative Services Act of 1949 and the Surplus Property Act of 
1944. The Quitclaim Deed contained a National Emergency Use Provision 
(NEUP) allowing the United States of America the right to make use of 
the land during any national emergency as declared by the President or 
Congress. FAA approval of this request is contingent on the Department 
of Defense's concurrence that the 25.8 acres of airport property is no 
longer required for aeronautical purposes. Since 1943, the land in 
question has not been required for aviation, or other government use, 
and is currently vacant.
    Suffolk County entered into a long-term lease agreement, contingent 
upon FAA final approval, with a solar power company after a competitive 
bidding process. The solar installation would consist of an 18. I-acre 
site on the north side of the airport and a 7.7-acre site on the south 
side of the airport. The FAA has studied both sites and determined the 
installations will not impact the utility of the airport.
    The airport will retain ownership of the 25.8 acres and will 
receive fair market value rent for the length of the agreement. The 
rental income will be devoted to airport operations and capital 
projects. The proposed use of the property will not interfere with the 
airport or its operation; and will thereby, serve the interests of 
civil aviation.

    Issued in Jamaica, New York, on September 13, 2018.
Sukhbir Gill,
Acting Manager, New York Airports District Office.
[FR Doc. 2018-20404 Filed 9-18-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P