The vertical clustered column graph presents the number of applications submitted and filed for FY 1998 through FY 2004. The scale is in increments of 5 with a range from 0 to 25. It shows that the median approval time for priority applications stayed constant at 6.0 months during FY 1998 and FY 1999 with a slight increase to 6.3 months in FY 2000. In FY 2001, the median approval time for priority applications increased to 15.6 months and then decreased to 9.0 months in FY 2002. The median approval time for priority applications was estimated to continue to decrease to near 6.0 months in FY 2003 and FY 2004, returning to the median approval time from FY 1998 through FY 2000. The graph also shows that the median approval time for standard applications was 17.6 months in FY 1998, decreased to 12.0 months in FY 1999, increased to 14.6 months in FY 2000, increased to 22.1 months in FY 2001, and dropped to 12.8 months in FY 2002. In FY 2003, the estimated median approval time for standard applications increased slightly to 13.0 months and in FY 2004 was estimated to decrease to 10.5 months.