Brewer signs SB 1317, allows tribes stake in Aviation Fund

Arlando Teller, program manager for Department of Management, said the seed for Senate Bill 1317 was originally planted in 2011. Governor Jan Brewer recently signed the legislation into law on June 20, allowing tribally-owned a chance to compete for Aviation Fund grants. Sponsored by Senator Jack Jackson, Jr., the bill gives tribes a chance to submit proposals for infrastructure improvements at tribal airports in Arizona. (Photo by Rick Abasta)

WINDOW ROCK-After registration fees imposed upon structure projects through the He explained that the seed a lengthy six-month process pilots in Arizona. fund. for SB 1317 was planted in winding its way through the There is no taxpayer dollars “The Navajo Nation has 2011. The Arizona Airports Arizona Legislature, Sen- included in the Arizona Avia- five airports in Arizona that can Association initially supported ate Bill 1317 was signed into tion Fund. benefit from this legislation. the bill but cited concerns that law by Arizona Governor Jan “This bill is a great opportu- We look forward to improving tabled the legislation. Brewer on June 20, 2013. nity for the 14 tribally-owned mobility for the northern part “They were supportive Sponsored by Senator Jack airports of Arizona to compete of the state,” Chaco said. of allowing tribal airports to Jackson, Jr., SB 1317 al- with other public airports to The Navajo Nation owns become eligible to utilize state lows tribally-owned airports improve their runways and oth- airports in the Arizona com- aviation grants but they ques- to participate in the Arizona er needs,” said Paulson Chaco, munities of Chinle, Ganado, tioned the differing regulatory Department of Transportation’s director of the Navajo Division Kayenta, Tuba City and Win- environment such as taxation Aviation Fund program. of Transportation. dow Rock. and how tribes would pay into The purpose of the fund is He said pilots from these The responsibility of the program,” Teller explained. to allow competitive grants for tribally-owned airports have guiding the Navajo Nation’s Eventually in Dec. 2012, infrastructure and improve- contributed to the aviation fund airports is shouldered by Ar- AAA’s new president, Corinne ments to public airports in since its inception and that it lando Teller, program manager Nystrom, supported amending Arizona. The fund is financed is only fair they are allowed to for the Department of Airport the Arizona Revised Statutes by aviation fuel and aircraft compete for approved infra- Management. 28-8202, to include tribal governments to participate in airport on an annual basis. the program. The grants from the Avia- Subsequently, Sen. Jackson tion Fund can be utilized to im- reintroduced SB 1317 in Jan. prove airport infrastructure that 2013 for consideration by the directly relate to safety, such as Arizona Legislature. and taxiway pavement Teller said the disparity rehabilitation. allowing for recognition of Teller prioritized the top tribal governments to compete three needs of Navajo-owned for the aviation funding was airports in Arizona in the fol- finally addressed after years of lowing order: Chinle, Window inequity. Rock and Tuba City. He noted that a white He said all of the airports paper report from Mike Klein, require a total rehabilitation of aeronautics manager for the runways, taxiways, aprons ADOT, was instrumental in and ramps. They also require the approval process for the electrical upgrades for lighting, legislation. perimeter fencing and drainage The Department of Airport Management is responsible for the seven Navajo Klein’s report explained improvements. Nation airports in Arizona and New Mexico. Five of the airports are located in the Arizona communities of Chinle, Ganado, Kayenta, Tuba City and Window that airport users are the All of the Navajo Nation Rock. (Photo by Rick Abasta) funding source for the fund, runways are at a dimension through their purchase of avia- of 7,500-feet long by 75-feet tion fuel and compliance with wide. aircraft registration fees. The Navajo Nation owns Teller said the operations three aircraft, which are main-

“Partnership is the key. Working with our state and tribal leaders is the key in communicating.” for each of the reservation tained by the Air Transport airports have increased through Department under the Division the years. Air transportation for of General Services. medical purposes comprises The signing of SB 1317 by the primary bulk of the flight Gov. Brewer was a collabora- operations. tive effort. Also on the increase are “Partnership is the key. tribal government use and Working with our state and visitors traveling to the Navajo tribal leaders is the key in com- Nation as a destination spot. municating,” Teller said. “A “Last month, visitors from decade from now, I envision Israel rented an aircraft in Se- well-maintained and equipped dona and flew to Chinle to visit airports that encourage eco- Canyon de Chelly,” Teller said. nomic opportunities and self- Available to eligible public sustainment that enhance safe airports for more than 15 years, and secure airport operations.” the Arizona Aviation Fund is The Navajo Nation owns a distributed by the State Trans- total of seven airports located portation Board. in Arizona and New Mexico. There are currently 196 Information: active and pending grants, www.navajodot.org amounting to $37 million in obligations. The fund stands at -30- $24 million presently. The Window Rock Airport is at an elevation of 6,750 feet and covers an area of Only 10 percent of the fund 88 acres. The airport is located one nautical south of the central business district of Window Rock, Ariz. The airport has one runway measuring 7,000- can be used as the maximum feet by 75-feet and averages about 5,000 general aviation aircraft operations grant award for any individual per year, or 13 flights per day. (Photo by Rick Abasta)