[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 169 (Thursday, August 29, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45471-45472]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22129]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Conduct a 
Scoping Meeting for General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee, 
WI

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing this 
notice to advertise to the public that an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) is planned to be prepared and considered for the 
proposed extension of Runway 7L/25R by 700 feet; the implementation of 
approved FAR Part 150 Noise Abatement Measures NA-4 and NA-5; modifying 
departure procedures for aircraft departing Runway 19R in lieu of 
disapproved FAR Part 150 Noise Abatement Measure NA-7; for updating the 
airport's Noise Exposure Maps (NEM's); and for evaluating other 
cumulative or connected actions at the General Mitchell International 
Airport (MKE), Milwaukee Wisconsin. The FAA plans to hold scoping 
meetings to obtain input from Federal, State, and local agencies and 
the general public regarding the EIS. If it is determined during the 
course of the study that the environmental impacts are not significant, 
FAA will terminate the EIS process, complete the study as an 
Environmental Assessment (EA) and issue a Finding of No Significant 
Impact (FONSI).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Daniel J. Millenacker, Program Manager, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Airports District Office, 6020 28th Avenue South, Room 
102, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55450. Phone: (612) 725-4221.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA, in 
cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and 
Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, will prepare an EIS for a proposed project 
to lengthen general aviation Runway 7L/25R by 700 feet at the General 
Mitchell International Airport (MKE) for a total length of 4,800 feet 
for use by general aviation type aircraft. The existing runway (4,100 
feet) accommodates most general aviation aircraft currently using the 
airport, but the Airport Master Plan Update (MPU) and Airport Layout 
Plan (ALP), approved October 20, 1994, indicates that the runway 
extension would allow Runway 7L/25R to accommodate additional aircraft 
such as light commuter turboprops and light business jets. This will 
help concentrate general aviation operations in the northern portion of 
the airport, and allow Runways 1L/19R and 7R/25L additional capacity to 
better accommodate the existing and forecast air carrier and commuter 
aircraft operations on these runways during VFR conditions. The 
proposed project would entail construction activity on airport property 
(i.e., site preparation, drainage, paving, marking, lighting, and other 
associated work required for the runway extension). The extended runway 
is planned as a visual approach runway (Visual) with Medium Intensity 
Runway Lighting (MIRL) and 20:1 approach slopes on both the 7L and 25R 
runway ends.
    The EIS will include evaluation of two approved FAR Part 150 Noise 
Abatement Measures, NA-4 and NA-5, as specified in MKE's Noise 
Compatibility Program Record of Approval dated March 22, 1995, and an 
evaluation of a modified departure procedure for aircraft departing 
Runway 19R in lieu of disapproved FAR Part 150 Noise Abatement Measure 
NA-7. Specifically, Noise Abatement Measure

[[Page 45472]]

NA-4 will ``require south and eastbound turbojet and turbofan aircraft 
departing from Runway 25L to turn left as soon as safe and 
practicable''. A generally compatible corridor extends south off the 
west end of Runway 7R/25L between the interstate and the railroad 
tracks. By directing south and eastbound departures from Runway 25L to 
make a quick left turn, aircraft should overfly this compatible 
corridor, thereby avoiding the residential neighborhoods further west. 
Noise Abatement Measure NA-5 ``requires turbojet and turbofan aircraft 
departing from Runway 7R to hold runway heading through 4 nautical 
miles from the Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) co-located with the 
Runway 25L localizer''. This procedure is estimated to reduce slightly 
the population in Cudahy impacted by noise above DNL 65 dBA. 
Concentration of departures along the runway centerline would reduce 
single event noise over much of Cudahy without significantly increasing 
the DNL noise contours along the extended runway centerline. The 
objective of the modified departure procedure for aircraft departing 
Runway 19R is to preclude early departure turns to the southeast from 
Runway 19R, thereby avoiding the heavily populated areas southeast of 
the airport. The EIS will also prepare updated Noise Exposure Maps 
(NEM's) for MKE in accordance with the provisions of Federal Aviation 
Regulations (FAR) Part 150, and also evaluate other cumulative or 
connected actions.
    The EIS will evaluate a No-Action alternative, the proposed 
actions, and other reasonable alternatives that may be identified 
during the agency and public scoping meetings. The EIS will determine 
any noise impacts associated with the operation of the proposed runway, 
and the implementation of the noise abatement measures. In addition to 
noise impacts, the EIS will determine any impacts on air and water 
quality, wetlands, ecological resources, floodplains, historic 
resources, hazardous wastes and coastal zone management.

PUBLIC SCOPING: To ensure that the full range of issues related to the 
proposed projects are addressed and that all significant issues are 
identified, comments and suggestions are invited from all interested 
parties. In order to facilitate public contribution at the scoping 
meeting, a pre-scoping package is being sent to all known interested 
parties. Copies may be obtained from the FAA informational contact 
listed above.
    Two scoping meetings are scheduled for Thursday, October 10, 1996. 
The first meeting will start at 12:30 p.m. for the convenience of 
Federal, State and local agencies. It will start with a brief 
presentation describing the Scoping and EIS process, and the proposed 
project and schedule. Following the meeting, a driving tour of the 
affected portions of the airport property will be offered to interested 
individuals. The agency meeting will be held in the East and Center 
Mitchell Rooms at the Best Western Midway Hotel, located at 5105 South 
Howell Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The second meeting, for the 
convenience of the general public, will be held on the same date, at 
the same location, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This will be an informal 
meeting where participants will be able to view project related 
presentation boards and speak directly with FAA, WisDOT and Airport 
staff.
    Written comments and suggestions on the scope may be mailed to the 
informational contact listed above no later than October 24, 1996.

    Issued in Minneapolis, Minnesota, August 21, 1996.
Franklin D. Benson,
Manager, Minneapolis Airports District Office, FAA Great Lakes Region.
[FR Doc. 96-22129 Filed 8-28-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M