[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 146 (Monday, July 31, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39090-39091]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18730]




[[Page 39089]]

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Part III





Department of Transportation





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Federal Aviation Administration



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Airflight Patterns Over the State of New Jersey; Effects of Changes; 
Final Environmental Impact Statement; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 146 / Monday, July 31, 1995 / 
Notices  

[[Page 39090]]


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No. 28241]


Final Environmental Impact Statement; Effects of Changes in 
Aircraft Flight Patterns Over the State of New Jersey

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) and Invitation to Comment.

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SUMMARY: On July 28, 1995, the FAA issued a Final Environmental Impact 
Statement (FEIS) required under Section 9119 of the Aviation Safety and 
Capacity Expansion Act of 1990 (ASCEA), Public Law 101-508. That 
section directed the FAA to prepare an EIS pursuant to the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) on the effects of changes in aircraft 
flight patterns over the State of New Jersey as a result of the 
implementation of the Expanded East Coast Plan (EECP).
    The proposed Federal action is to continue the current routes and 
procedures that were implemented as part of the EECP in 1987 and 1988, 
and modified to 1991. FAA has identified the continuation of current 
routes and procedures, as modified to incorporate a mitigation measure 
identified as the Solberg Mitigation Proposal, as both the preferred 
alternative and the environmentally preferable alternative. The Solberg 
Mitigation Proposal reduces aircraft noise in the Scotch Plains, and 
Fanwood areas of Union County, New Jersey. This is one of the five 
areas that experienced increased noise as a result of the 
implementation of the EECP.
    The FAA prepared the FEIS based upon the findings in the post-
scoping document issued in June 1991, the Draft EIS (DEIS) issued in 
November 1992, and the Supplemental DEIS (SDEIS) issued in September 
1994.
    The SDEIS contained the analysis of the Solberg Mitigation 
Proposal, the agency's analysis of the New Jersey Coalition Against 
Aircraft Noise (NJCAAN) Ocean Routing Proposal, responses to comments 
on the DEIS, Appendix F, and other new information. In response to the 
large number of comments concerning noise impacts over particular 
communities, the FAA included Appendix F, which provides the changes in 
noise levels predicted for each census block in New Jersey with each 
alternative, the mitigation proposal, and the NJCAAN ocean routing 
proposal.
    The FAA also carefully considered testimony from over 480 Federal, 
state, and local elected and appointed officials and citizens and from 
the 2800 written comments received at more than 30 public hearings and 
meetings during the 515-day comment period.
    After issuance of the Record of Decision and reporting to Congress 
pursuant to Section 9119 of ASCEA concerning this EIS process, the FAA 
intends to continue working with affected communities to identify and 
develop new strategies to mitigate aircraft noise as part of a 
``follow-on'' study. That study will be a follow-on study insofar as it 
will address aeronautical and aircraft noise issues. It will be a 
planning study independent of the statutory EIS requirement.
    The following is a summary of key portions contained in the FEIS 
and is not intended to duplicate or cover every aspect of the FEIS.

Alternatives

    The FAA conducted an extensive scoping process to identify a 
reasonable range of alternatives for study in the EIS. The scoping 
process indicated that citizen concerns focused on arrivals and 
departures at the three major airports in the New York metropolitan 
area.
    In the FEIS, the FAA analyzed the following alternatives based on 
citizen input and independent evaluation:
     Alternative A. Maintain the current (as defined in 1991) 
EECP structure (Proposed Action and No Action).
     Alternative B. Return to 1986 air traffic routes and 
procedures using 1991 traffic (Rollback).
     Alternative C2. Route Newark south flow departure traffic 
over Raritan Bay to the ocean at night only (Oceanic/military routing 
(nighttime only) for Newark departures).
     Alternative D3. Spread aircraft departing Newark runways 
22L and 22R to three different headings (Spreading or fanning).

Environmental Consequences

    Twenty-one environmental categories were analyzed for environmental 
consequences. The impact categories of chief concern were noise, air, 
and water quality. Analysis revealed that none of the alternatives, 
except Return to 1986 Routes and Procedures, would cause significant 
impacts.
    The following is a brief description of the noise impacts 
associated with the alternatives and the Solberg Mitigation Proposal 
contained in the FEIS. Other Environmental Consequences are summarized 
in more detail in Section 1.7, Chapter 1 of the FEIS.
1. Alternative B, Return to 1986 Routes and Procedures

    Noise analysis indicates that, in comparison to implementation of 
the EECP, return to 1986 routes and procedures with 1991 traffic would 
increase noise by DNL 5 dB or greater above DNL 45 dB for 1.45 million 
people. Approximately 45,622 individuals would experience a reduction 
in noise by DNL 5 dB or greater above DNL 45 dB. It would also increase 
noise by 1.5 dB within the 65 DNL contour in one small area of Holgate, 
New Jersey. The latter impact on Holgate appears to result solely from 
the assumptions used to reconstruct and model this alternative.

2. Alternatives C2 and D3, Nighttime Use of Ocean Routing and Spreading

    Nighttime Use of Ocean Routing and Spreading would provide marginal 
noise relief. Nighttime Ocean Routing would increase noise by DNL 5 dB 
or greater above DNL 45 dB for about 4,349 people and would not 
decrease noise by a similar amount, while the Spreading alternative 
would neither increase nor decrease noise impacts by DNL 5 dB or 
greater above DNL 45 dB. Both the Nighttime Ocean Routing and Spreading 
alternatives have potential impacts outside of New Jersey.

3. Solberg Mitigation Proposal

    The Solberg Mitigation Proposal described below under the section 
``Mitigation'' would reduce noise by DNL 5 dB or greater above DNL 45 
dB for approximately 18,755 residents of the Scotch Plains and Fanwood 
areas of Union County. This is one of the five areas that experienced 
noise increases of DNL 5 dB or greater above DNL 45 dB as a result of 
implementing the EECP. No increases by DNL 5 dB or greater above DNL 45 
dB would occur in the study area. The Solberg Mitigation Proposal would 
allow for unrestricted climb by Newark westbound departures and would 
only shift, not lower, potentially conflicting arrivals to LaGuardia, 
10 miles to the south.

Mitigation Measures

    Opportunities for mitigation were explored although the levels of 
noise increase and exposure resulting from implementation of the EECP 
and its alternatives, with the exception of one area affected by 
Alternative B, are well below the established thresholds at which FAA 
considers compatible for residential land uses. The Solberg mitigation 
measure would realign westbound departure routes from Newark 
International Airport to the Solberg navigational aid in Readington, 

[[Page 39091]]
New Jersey. It would reduce the noise impacts in the Scotch Plains and 
Fanwood areas of Union County, areas that experienced increased noise 
as a result of implementation of the EECP.
    The Solberg mitigation measure and mitigation measures considered, 
but not retained for detailed study, are discussed in detail in Chapter 
6 of the FEIS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. William J. Marx, Program Manager, 
ATM-700, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, 
Washington, D.C. 20591.
    Any person may obtain a copy of the executive summary of the FEIS 
or the entire FEIS by submitting a request to the FAA contact 
identified above. Copies of the comments on the DEIS and SDEIS are 
available for review in the FAA Docket, Numbers 26987 and 27649, also 
at the above address. Appendix A of the FEIS contains responses to 
public comments.
    The FEIS will also be available for review at the following public 
libraries:

Teaneck Public Library, 840 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ 07868
Newark Public Library, 5 Washington Street, P.O. Box 630, Newark, NJ 
01701-0830
Parsippany-Troy Hills Free Public Library, P.O. Box 5303, Parsippany, 
NJ 07054
Piscataway Township Free Public Library, John F. Kennedy Memorial 
Library, 500 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Cherry Hill Free Public Library, 100 Kings Highway North, Cherry Hill, 
NJ 08034
Jersey City Public Library, 472 Jersey Ave., Jersey City, NJ 07302-
3499, Attn: Directors Office
Staten Island, New York Public Library, St. George Library Center, 5 
Central Place, Staten Island, NY 10301
Camden Free Public Library, 616 Broadway, Camden, NJ 08103
Vineland Free Public Library, 1058 E. Landis Ave., Vineland, NJ 08360
Middletown Township Public Library, 55 New Monmouth Road, Middletown, 
NJ 07748
Free Public Library of the City of Trenton, 120 Academy Street, 
Trenton, NJ 08607-2448
Ridgewood Public Library, 125 North Maple Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450-
3288
Free Public Library of Woodbridge, George Frederick Plaza, Woodbridge, 
NJ 07195, Attn: Reference Desk
Elizabeth Public Library, 11 S. Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Paterson Free Public Library, Danforth Memorial Library, 250 Broadway, 
Paterson, NJ 07501
Cranford Public Library, 224 Walnut Ave., Cranford, NJ 07016
Rochelle Park Public Library, 405 Rochelle Ave., Rochelle Park, NJ 
07882
Runnemede Public Library, Broadway & Black Horse Pike, P.O. Box 119, 
Runnemede, NJ 08078
Tinton Falls Public Library, 684 Tinton Ave., Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
New Jersey State Library, Department of Education, 185 W. State Street, 
Trenton, NJ 08825-0520
Joint Free Public Library of Morristown and Morris Township, 1 Miller 
Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
Cape May County Library, Mechanic Street, Cape May Courthouse, NJ 08210
Ocean County Library, 101 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08753
Hunterdon County Library, Route 12, Flemington, NJ 08822
Sussex County Library, RD-3, Box 170, Route 655, Homestead Road, 
Newton, NJ 07860
Warren County Library, Court House Annex, Belevedre, NJ 07823, Attn: 
Reference Day Dept.
Atlantic city Library, 1 North Tennessee Ave., Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Gloucester County Library, 200 Holly Dell Drive, Sewell, NJ 08080
Somerset County Library, P.O. Box 6700, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Salem Library, Broadway, Salem, NJ 08079
Burlington County Library, 1257 Westwoodlane Road, Mt. Holly, NJ 08060

    Comment Period: Although the Council on Environmental Quality 
regulations do not provide for a formal comment period after issuance 
of a FEIS, due to the technical complexity of issues raised and to 
maximize public participation FAA is soliciting comments on the FEIS 
for a period of 45 days. These comments will be considered by the 
decision maker in determining FAA's course of action and issuing the 
Record of Decision. The opportunity to comment will extend from July 
28, until September 11, 1995.
    Written comments on the FEIS should be received at the following 
address, in triplicate, by September 11, 1995: Headquarters Federal 
Aviation Administration, Office of the Chief Counsel, Attn: Rules 
Docket (AGC-10), Docket No. 28241, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20591. Comments may be delivered or inspected at Room 
915G in FAA headquarters between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, excluding Federal holidays. Late-filed comments will be 
considered to the extent practicable.

    Issued in Washington, DC on July 28, 1995.
James H. Washington,
Deputy Director of Air Traffic.
[FR Doc. 95-18730 Filed 7-28-95; 8:45 am]
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