[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 115 (Thursday, June 13, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 30105]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15064]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration


Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and To Hold 
Environmental Scoping Meetings for Runway Extension, Air Cargo Area, 
and Related Development at New Bedford Municipal Airport, New Bedford, 
MA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of public environmental scoping meetings.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing notice to 
advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be 
prepared for a proposal by the City of New Bedford to extend the 
primary runway and runway safety area, develop an air cargo area and 
adjacent taxiway, and related development at New Bedford Municipal 
Airport. To ensure that all significant issues related to the proposed 
action are identified, public scoping meetings will be held.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
John Silva, Manager, Environmental Programs, Airports Division, New 
England Region, Federal Aviation Administration, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803. Telephone number: 617-
238-7602.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The City of New Bedford is conducting an 
Airport Master Plan to determine future development needs. This Plan 
has progressed to the point of determining the need to accommodate 
future air cargo activity. Due primarily to the potential for 
significant adverse wetlands impacts and associated water quality 
issues, FAA has decided to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS).
    FAA has conducted several meetings toward developing a Draft Scope 
of Work for the EIS. Since the EIS will be prepared as a joint 
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) under the Massachusetts Environmental 
Policy Act, additional meetings have been held to address EIR 
requirements. Comments and suggestions are presently invited from 
federal, state, and local agencies, and other interested parties, in 
order to ensure that a full range of issues related to the proposed 
projects are identified and addressed in a final Scope of Work for the 
EIS. A copy of the Draft Scope of Work may be obtained from FAA at the 
above address or telephone number. Comments and suggestions should be 
addressed to FAA at the above address and mailed not later than July 
19.

PUBLIC SCOPING MEETINGS: In order to provide public input, a scoping 
meeting for federal, state, local, and non-governmental agencies will 
be held on Tuesday, July 9, 1996, at 1:30 pm at the maintenance 
building adjacent to the terminal building at New Bedford Municipal 
Airport, 1569 Airport Road, New Bedford, Massachusetts. An additional 
meeting to receive public input will be held on July 9 at 7:00 pm at 
the same location. These meetings will be preceded by a field tour of 
the EIS project area at 10:00 am on the same day, for individuals who 
have not yet done so. The tour will commence from the entrance to the 
terminal building.
    Federal, state, local, and non-governmental agency representatives 
are encouraged to attend both scoping meetings. Additional information 
may be obtained by contacting FAA at the above address or telephone 
number.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 31, 1996.
Vincent A. Scarano,
Manager, Airports Division, FAA, New England Region.
[FR Doc. 96-15064 Filed 6-12-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M