(1) In the interest of fostering and promoting safe and efficient scheduled air transportation within Montana, the Montana Department of Transportation offers pavement preservation grants to eligible public sponsors as allowed in 67-1-301 , MCA. The Aeronautics Division oversees and administers this program. The program provides grants for pavement preservation purposes to eligible airports. The Montana Aeronautics Board, whose members are appointed by the governor's office, has sole authority on the annual awarding of pavement preservation grant monies. A portion of airline gas tax revenues generated within the state of Montana provides the principal funding for this program.