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December 2006
Speakers share funding news at AirTAP fall forum
Peter Buchen
Ann Rest
Michael Beard
Jeff Hamiel
More than 100 people from general aviation airports and community government across Minnesota attended the third annual Airport Technical Assistance Program (AirTAP) Fall Forum, held October 11 and 12 at Breezy Point, Minn. Although this year’s event covered a mix of general aviation subjects, the topic of airport funding was a theme throughout many discussions.
In the opening session, Bob Huber of the FAA’s Minneapolis Airports District Office (ADO) discussed the funding outlook from the federal perspective. The president, Senate, and House have proposed different numbers for 2007. “At this point, we don’t know where it is at,” he said. He also offered examples of what Airport Improvement Program funds could be used for. “Where would I tell you to spend your money? Safety. Removing obstructions,” Huber said.
Following Huber, Peter Buchen of Mn/DOT’s Office of Aeronautics talked about the state airport funding status. Projected shortfalls to the State Airports Fund are requiring cuts to Mn/DOT’s Airport Development and Assistance program in fiscal years 2006 and 2007, Buchen said—which will reduce construction grants to publicly owned airports. As a result, Mn/DOT will need to prioritize projects to receive funding. Projects related to safety will rank high, followed by pavement preservation, projects that can leverage federal funds, and finally, emergencies.
Telling an airport that its project won’t be funded “has been hard for us,” Buchen said. “We’ve never had to do this before.”
In another session, Margaret Donahoe, legislative director for the Transportation Alliance, offered advice for getting attention and funding for airports and aviation-related causes.
Senator Ann Rest, who chairs the Senate’s Aviation Subcommittee, and Representative Michael Beard, who serves on the House Aviation Subcommittee, shared some thoughts about aviation’s role in the last legislative session. Among the bills that passed was number 1940, which requires the addition of a chapter on aviation planning to the state’s transportation plan.
“First and foremost, the operation and maintenance of airports were declared essential public services,” Rest said.
Another topic of interest was the transfer of $15 million back to the state airports fund from the general fund, which is scheduled to happen in July 2007.
Both lawmakers commented that generally, the aviation issue that generates the most attention in the legislature is noise. Beard added that he would like to shift the focus to economic issues. “Aviation issues across the state are not seen as a partisan issue, but rather as something that’s good for…the economic well being of the state,” he said.
Jeff Hamiel, executive director of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, returned again to the annual event to talk with attendees about some current topics in aviation, including funding of reliever airports, the fate of Mesaba Airlines, and how increasing numbers of very light jets might affect regional airports.
Nancy Nistler of the FAA’s Minneapolis ADO and Tracy Schmidt of Mn/DOT’s Office of Aeronautics spoke in a session about the importance of timely project closeouts.
Other forum sessions taught participants about land use and zoning, particularly as it relates to recent legislation and real estate disclosure requirements; storm water management; maintenance and repair of airport pavements; snow and ice control; and promoting the benefits of airports.
The forum was sponsored by Minnesota AirTAP (housed within CTS) and the Mn/DOT Office of Aeronautics, in cooperation with the FAA and the Minnesota Council of Airports.
More coverage of the forum is on the AirTAP Web site—www.airtap.umn.edu—and a summary report will be published next year.