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FAA requires full Exhibit A survey for airport land acquisition, raising scope and cost concerns
Summary
Engineers told the Grant County Airport Commission that the FAA will not close a land‑acquisition grant until a full Exhibit A (complete boundary and legal map of the entire airport) is prepared, potentially triggering extensive research, field survey work, and boundary adjustments; staff will seek scopes and cost estimates, including possible use of local surveyor Mike Springer.
The Grant County Regional Airport was told Feb. 9 that the Federal Aviation Administration will require a full Exhibit A — a boundary survey and legally defined property map for the entire airport — before it will close a land‑acquisition grant for roughly nine acres.
“FAA will not allow the land acquisition grant to be closed out until the Exhibit A work is completed,” said Trey Dail, the airport’s project representative, who described the work as involving research and verification of all airport parcels, compilation of easements and encumbrances, and field survey work to locate and confirm property corners and monuments. He warned the effort could be a “rabbit‑hole” depending on what is discovered during research and fieldwork.
Commissioners questioned why the requirement was imposed now, noting prior projects. Trey said the FAA applies the Exhibit A requirement specifically to land‑acquisition grants where airports lack a previously prepared comprehensive Exhibit A, while airports with up‑to‑date master‑plan surveys often already meet that expectation.
Commissioners discussed whether county surveyor Mike Springer — who may already possess much of the necessary mapping and point information — could perform the work. Trey said using a local surveyor is acceptable so long as the procurement and billing meet FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) reimbursement rules; a subcontract arrangement could simplify reimbursement compared with a force‑account approach that requires extensive documentation. Trey committed to sending the commission a scope of work listing Exhibit A requirements so the airport can discuss feasibility and cost with Mike.
Next steps: staff will request a formal scope and cost estimate from the engineering team and discuss the potential use of local surveying resources before returning to the commission.
