[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 67 (Friday, April 5, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15331-15332]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8503]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Proposed Airspace Reclassification in the Vicinity of Bellingham, 
WA, in Support of Transport Canada Terminal Airspace Design; Public 
Meeting

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Public meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice announces an informal airspace meeting to discuss 
a request from Transport Canada (TC) that the FAA reclassify United 
States airspace in the vicinity of the San Juan Islands and Bellingham, 
WA, in support of the Vancouver International Airport terminal airspace 
design. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss TC's request and FAA 
considerations regarding the safety of air traffic in the affected 
airspace. Additionally, the FAA plans to give interested persons the 
opportunity to present views, recommendations, and comments concerning 
TC's request.

DATES: The meeting will be held on Monday, May 6, 1996, from 7:00 p.m. 
to 10:00 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Friday Harbor High School 
(Cafeteria), 45 Blair Street, Friday Harbor, WA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melodie DeMarr, Air Traffic Division, 
ANM-530, Northwest Mountain Regional Office, telephone: (206) 227-2547, 
fax: (206) 227-1534.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On September 2, 1993, TC requested that the FAA take action to 
redesignate the Lower Mainland Airspace between Vancouver and Seattle 
to complement the adjacent Canadian airspace. TC requested that the 
airspace be reclassified in time to coincide with the

[[Page 15332]]
opening of the new parallel Runway 08L-26R at Vancouver International.
    On March 22, 1995, the FAA published Notices of Public Meetings to 
announce two informal airspace meetings to solicit information, from 
airspace users and others, concerning the TC request to reclassify U.S. 
airspace in the vicinity of the San Juan Islands and Bellingham, WA, as 
Class C airspace (60 FR 15172). The informal airspace meetings were 
held on May 9-10, 1995. Over 300 comments were received opposing the 
proposal. After a review of the comments and consultation with TC's 
user community, the FAA suggested that the airspace request be 
modified. TC has now modified its original request. Specifically, the 
request is for the FAA to consider adopting Class C airspace in the 
vicinity of Bellingham, WA, to support the new Vancouver-Victoria 
terminal airspace design adjacent to U.S. airspace from 2,500 feet MSL 
to 12,500 feet MSL within a 16-nautical-mile arc of the Vancouver VOR; 
and the Abbotsford British Columbia Approach area to become Class D 
airspace from above 1,500 feet MSL to 2,500 feet MSL and Class C 
airspace from above 2,500 feet MSL to 12,500 feet MSL. This modified 
request will be discussed at this public meeting.

Meeting Procedures

    The following procedures are established to facilitate the meeting:
    (1) There will be no admission fee or other charge to attend or to 
participate in the meeting. The meeting will be open to all persons 
subject to availability of space in the meeting room. Those who would 
like to present statements should register with Melodie DeMarr at least 
30 minutes prior to the beginning of the public meeting.
    (2) The meeting may adjourn early if scheduled speakers complete 
their statements in less time than currently is scheduled for the 
meeting.
    (3) An individual, whether speaking in a personal or a 
representative capacity on behalf of an organization, may be limited to 
a 10-minute statement. If possible, we will notify the speaker if 
additional time is available.
    (4) The FAA will try to accommodate all speakers. If the available 
time does not permit this, speakers generally will be scheduled on a 
first-come, first-served basis. However, the FAA reserves the right to 
exclude some speakers, if necessary, to present a balance of viewpoints 
and issues.
    (5) Representatives of the FAA will preside over the meeting. A 
panel of FAA personnel involved in this issue will be present.
    (6) Position papers or material presenting views or information 
relating to the substance of the meeting will be accepted at the 
discretion of the presiding officer and subsequently placed in the 
public docket. The FAA requests that persons participating in the 
meeting provide three copies of all materials to be presented for 
distribution to the panel members; other copies may be provided to the 
audience at the discretion of the participant.
    (7) Statements made by members of the meeting panel are intended to 
facilitate discussion of the issues or to clarify issues. Any statement 
made during the meeting by a member of the panel is not intended to be, 
and should not be construed as, a position of the FAA.
    (8) The meeting is designed to solicit public views and more 
complete information on the subject airspace issue. Therefore, the 
meeting will be conducted in an informal and nonadversarial manner. No 
individual will be subject to cross-examination by any other 
participant; however, panel members may ask questions to clarify a 
statement and to ensure a complete and accurate record.
    (9) The meeting will not be formally recorded. However, a summary 
of the comments made at this meeting will be filed in the docket.

Agenda for Each Meeting

--Opening Remarks and Discussion of Meeting Procedures
--Briefing on Background for TC Request and Subsequent FAA Findings
--Public Presentations
--Closing Comments

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 29, 1996.
Nancy B. Kalinowski,
Acting Manager, Airspace-Rules and Aeronautical Information Division.
[FR Doc. 96-8503 Filed 4-4-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P