Regulatory Alert: FAA Solicits Pre-Applications for Airport Environmental Mitigation Pilot Program
May 7, 2021
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a notice soliciting pre-applications from eligible airports to participate in the agency's 'Airport Environmental Mitigation Pilot Program,' which provides federal grants for projects that will measurably reduce or mitigate aviation impacts on noise, air quality, or water quality at the airport or within 5 miles of the airport. FAA is authorized to fund up to 6 projects at public-use airports, with each project limited to no more than $2.5 million in federal funding. The federal share of project costs is 50 percent and the airport is required to provide 50 percent in matching funds. FAA has provided details on how to submit a pre-application in the notice of funding opportunity. 
Program Background. The 2018 FAA reauthorization bill allows FAA to carry out a pilot program involving no more than 6 projects at public-use airports that will measurably reduce or mitigate aviation impacts on noise, air quality, or water quality at the airport or within 5 miles of the airport. In the notice, FAA indicated the agency is looking to fund projects that introduce new environmental mitigation techniques or technologies that have been proven in laboratory demonstrations. Based upon results from the projects, FAA may establish and publish information about best practices for reducing or mitigating aviation impacts on noise, air quality, and water quality at airports or in the vicinity of airports. 
Submission Deadline and Next Steps. Airports that are interested in participating in the pilot program should carefully review the notice of funding opportunity that will be published in the Federal Register on Monday. A pre-publication version is available here. The deadline for applying is Friday, July 9. After pre-applications are submitted, FAA will evaluate the proposals and, if selected, the local FAA Regional or Airports District Office will work with the airport on executing a grant. 
If you have any questions or feedback, please contact Justin Barkowski at justin.barkowski@aaae.org. 
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a notice soliciting pre-applications from eligible airports to participate in the agency's 'Airport Environmental Mitigation Pilot Program,' which provides federal grants for projects that will measurably reduce or mitigate aviation impacts on noise, air quality, or water quality at the airport or within 5 miles of the airport. FAA is authorized to fund up to 6 projects at public-use airports, with each project limited to no more than $2.5 million in federal funding. The federal share of project costs is 50 percent and the airport is required to provide 50 percent in matching funds. FAA has provided details on how to submit a pre-application in the notice of funding opportunity. 
Program Background. The 2018 FAA reauthorization bill allows FAA to carry out a pilot program involving no more than 6 projects at public-use airports that will measurably reduce or mitigate aviation impacts on noise, air quality, or water quality at the airport or within 5 miles of the airport. In the notice, FAA indicated the agency is looking to fund projects that introduce new environmental mitigation techniques or technologies that have been proven in laboratory demonstrations. Based upon results from the projects, FAA may establish and publish information about best practices for reducing or mitigating aviation impacts on noise, air quality, and water quality at airports or in the vicinity of airports. 
Submission Deadline and Next Steps. Airports that are interested in participating in the pilot program should carefully review the notice of funding opportunity that will be published in the Federal Register on Monday. A pre-publication version is available here. The deadline for applying is Friday, July 9. After pre-applications are submitted, FAA will evaluate the proposals and, if selected, the local FAA Regional or Airports District Office will work with the airport on executing a grant. 
If you have any questions or feedback, please contact Justin Barkowski at justin.barkowski@aaae.org. 
