La. Admin. Code tit. 70 § IX-325

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section IX-325 - Category IV-Special Considerations (see Exhibit 4)

A. The first three evaluation categories cover those evaluation areas (project type, facility use, and sponsor compliance) for which all projects prioritized will receive an evaluation score. The "special considerations" category allows projects of special significance to receive additional evaluation points when being prioritized. The items evaluated in this category bear no relationship to one another and thus each project is evaluated to determine if it should receive bonus points in its prioritization score. Exhibit 4 shows the criteria and point values for bonus point evaluation.

B. Special Programs. At times, certain improvements at an airport may be mandated by federal or state law and thus require a higher prioritization. DOTD may determine that special emphasis should be placed on a certain type of project. All projects of the designated type will receive additional bonus points under these evaluation criteria. An example would be a phased project. Additional points will be awarded to ensure that a consecutive phase of a project receives a higher priority than a project that is not phased.

C. Economic development potential is another evaluation area under the "special considerations" category. Any construction project generates economic development; however, there some projects are designed to address a specific economic need at the airport or in the community. To receive points in this area, the economic development of the project must be well documented, and clearly demonstrate the potential economic impact of the project. An example of an economic development type of project would be facilities developed to accommodate the aviation needs of a business moving to the community. The facilities would have to constitute a major factor in the decision of a business to be located in the community. To receive bonus, an economic impact study may be required the cost of which is the responsibility of the airport sponsor Another example would be a taxiway to an open industrial airpark access. This would get bonus points, but a taxiway to a T-Hangar area would not. A runway project to accommodate corporate aircraft would need to be thoroughly documented that it was a major factor in the location of the business.

D. Airline service to a community is an important element in the community's overall economic development. Under the "special considerations" category, projects are evaluated to determine if their primary justification is to maintain or attract airline service to the airport. For a project to receive points under this category, it must be directly responsible for effecting airline service at the airport Documentation of the project justification is essential for prioritization rating points to be awarded under this evaluation criteria.

E. Another "special considerations" category is the provision of local matching funds contributed to the project request by the local airport sponsor This is designed to incentivize an airport sponsor to identify and provide local financial assistance for preference to projects that are supported and highly valued by the local airport sponsor No matching funds from other state sources will qualify for bonus points. Commitment for airport sponsor funding support shall be included in the project requesting resolution submitted by the airport sponsor requesting assistance from DOTD for the project. Airport sponsor contributions to projects will be scored using a percentage-based system, in accordance with Exhibit 4 of this Chapter. Airport sponsors shall have all airfield safety discrepancies or conditions corrected in accordance with the airport construction and development program to be eligible to compete for points in this category.

La. Admin. Code tit. 70, § IX-325

Promulgated by the Department of Transportation and Development, Division of Aviation, LR 16:538 (June 1990), amended LR 24:1513 (August 1998), amended by the Department of Transportation and Development, Intermodal Transportation Division, LR 33:526 (March 2007), repromulgated by the Department of Transportation and Development, Aviation Section, LR 39:111 (January 2013), Amended by the Department of Transportation and Development, Office of Multimodal Commerce, LR 491425 (8/1/2023).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with USC 49:47103, SCR 67 (1997) and R.S. 2:6.