Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 45, November 9, 2024
Section 473.5a - Project selection process and criteria(a)Project selection. Aviation development grants for projects on the 12 year plans and Airport Capital Improvement Programs (ACIPs) on file with and agreed to by the Bureau will be selected for consideration on an annual basis upon written request from sponsors.(b)Consideration. Following the published closing date identified in § 473.5b (relating to important dates and notification procedure) or the receipt of applicable documentation, projects will be considered for funding for future fiscal years.(c)Incomplete documentation. The Department may consider documentation for aviation development grants which is technically incomplete on the deadline identified in § 473.5b, but which will be made complete in a timely fashion. The decision to consider documentation which may be determined incomplete on the documentation deadline is made at the sole discretion of the Bureau.(d)Review process. In evaluating the documentation, the Department may establish internal review procedures, review committees or other administrative mechanisms sufficient to handle the responsibilities of these programs. The Department will maintain an ongoing record of the specific review mechanisms used for the consideration of the documentation and to make available to applicants an outline of the current applicable internal review procedures.(e)Review by Bureau. The Bureau will review and evaluate submitted documentation with respect to applicable criteria for project funding, available funds, current priorities for development of the airport and significant environmental or economic factors.(f)Criteria used in review. In considering submitted documentation, the Bureau will give weight and consideration to the following criteria: (1) Improvement of the safety of airport operations.(2) The effects of the project on both the overall airport system and the local airport.(3) The impact of the project on the area surrounding the airport.(4) Availability of local funds for airport development.(5) The capture of Federal funds for airport development.(6) Current policy of the Commonwealth on transportation improvements and economic development.(7) Current and future demand for passenger service, based or itinerant aircraft and freight services.(8) Assurance that there is a viable network and reasonable distribution of services and safe facilities throughout this Commonwealth.(9) The extent to which the project would contribute to the welfare of the citizens of this Commonwealth.(g)Additional considerations. In consideration of the various criteria applicable to the review of submitted documentation, the Bureau will also evaluate criteria in a manner which takes into account unique or special factors at any airport and emergency situations. Factors making an airport unique from others may include the character of the market it serves, the type and use of based aircraft, the current or future role of the airport, nearby facilities offering similar services or other significant elements contributing to the character or utilization of the facility.The provisions of this §473.5a adopted October 29, 2010, effective 10/30/2010, 40 Pa.B. 6273.