Drilling for $$$

Another item for consideration is ensuring that the airport sponsor receives fair market value for the mineral rights and/or leasing that is associated with Marcellus Shale development. It’s important for the airport sponsor to work directly with FAA and with a certified real estate appraiser to determine the fair market value of the land and then to negotiate, using that value as a minimum level for lease and/or gas payments.

* * *

As Vice President – Operations Manager of Aviation Services for L.R. Kimball, Holes manages Airport Design Projects. Within the past two years, he has managed projects on the Doylestown, Quakertown, University Park, Williamsport Regional, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International and York Airports in Pa. Holes can be reached at (814)-472-7700.

L.R. Kimball is a Pennsylvania-based architecture, engineering and communications technology firm that has advised and managed projects for airports over more than half a century. The firm also provides services to oil and gas companies that intend to drill in the Marcellus Shale region.