01/22/04 Gates to Kukulski0
U. S. Department
Of Transportation
Federal Aviation _-
Administration
January 22, 2003 ( ''
Mr. Chris Kukulski, Manager
City of Kalispell
P.O. Box 1997
Kalispell, MT 59903
Dear Chris:
Helena Airports District Office
2725 Skyway Drive, Suite 2
Helena, Montana 59602
This letter is in response to the December 3, 2003 letter we received from Phil Porrini of Robert Peccia
and Associates on behalf of the City of Kalispell, regarding property acquisition in support of the proposed
improvements at Kalispell City Airport. In particular, Phil had asked whether we would support providing
Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds for acquisition of land surrounding the airport, prior to resolving
the removal of the AM radio towers south of the airport.
During our July 10, 2003 meeting in Helena, we stated that FAA would support funding of the tower
removal in FY-2004 provided that costs are reasonable and an application for the tower removal is
received by February 15. It is evident from the December letter and memo from your attorney that the
tower removal will most likely not occur this year or in the near future. Given the demand for the limited
amount of AIP funds, federal funding for the land acquisition will not be available until final costs for the
tower removal have been agreed to by the FAA and a detailed plan for removal has been provided and
accepted by the FAA. Although, AIP funds are not currently available for land acquisition, land costs are
eligible for reimbursement at a later date provided the land is acquired under the Uniform Act.
Please provide us with a revised cost estimate and a tentative schedule for tower removal and land
acquisition. This information will be needed as we prepare our Airports Capital Improvement Plan for
consideration of funding in future years.
Please contact this office if you have any question regarding our response or any other issues relating to
the airport development.
Sincerely,
Ga4,IVI. Gate�/P.E.
Airport Planner and Engineer
cc:
Phil Porrini, RPA