FAA weighs releasing 40 acres of Fairbanks airport land for sale to expand a gravel mine

Fairbanks International Airport wants to sell about 40 acres of airport land to make way for the expansion of a privately owned gravel mining company, and the Federal Aviation Administration is asking for public comment before it decides whether to allow it.

The airport bought the land with federal airport grants, so it needs the FAA to release it from its federal obligations before it can sell. The FAA's notice is scheduled to publish in the Federal Register on Thursday. Comments are due 30 days later, by Nov. 28.

The parcel sits northwest of South Vanhorn and 5th Wheel streets. The airport's approved layout plan shows it as undeveloped, with no planned aviation use, and the notice says the airport no longer needs it for aeronautical purposes. It would be sold at fair market value based on an appraisal.

The notice doesn't name the gravel company or say what the land is expected to sell for.

Under FAA policy, airport land can be released only when it no longer serves an airport purpose. Land used for parking or operating aircraft doesn't qualify. Airports that take federal grants agree in exchange to keep control of their land.

Documents on the request are available at the airport and at the FAA's Airports District Office in Anchorage. Written comments go to the airport's leasing specialist.