[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 147 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 41126]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20075]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Proposed 
Development of the JFK International Airport Light Rail System, Queens, 
New York

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision (ROD).

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SUMMARY: The FAA is making available the Record of Decision for the 
proposed Development of the JFK International Airport Light Rail System 
Queens, New York.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Laurence Schaefer, FAA, John F. 
Kennedy International Airport, AEA-610, Jamaica, NY 11430, fax: (718) 
955-9219; telephone (718) 553-3340.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Any person may obtain a copy of the ROD by 
submitting a request to the FAA contact identified above. The FAA is 
Lead Agency for purposes of implementing the procedures required by the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, on a 
proposed transportation system for an airport access improvement 
project sponsored by the The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey 
(Port Authority), operator of the airport.
    The purpose of this notice is to inform the public that the Record 
of Decision (ROD) is available to anyone upon request.
    The FAA considered potential environmental impacts and other 
factors resulting from the construction of the JFK International 
Airport Light Rail System Project (the Project) at JFK International 
Airport (JFK). The ROD presents:

--alternatives considered for the project;
--the basis/justification for selecting the Preferred Alternative;
--impacts analysis;
--mitigation measures for the Preferred Alternative;
--response to comments; and
--Agency Findings.

    The project proposed by the Port authority is the development of a 
Light Rail System (LRS) to improve ground access within JFK 
International Airport (JFK) in Queens County, New York, as well as to 
and from JFK via connections at Jamaica Station and the New York City 
Transit Howard Beach Station. Construction of the Project requires the 
incorporation of the system right-of-way in the Airport Layout Plan. 
The FAA conditionally approved a modification to the Airport Layout 
Plan on January 23, 1997. This approval was made subject to an 
acceptable environmental review.
    The FAA, as the Lead Agency has determined that the requirements of 
the NEPA have been satisfied for the construction of the proposed 
project in Queens County, New York. This decision is based upon the 
FAA's close monitoring of the process and consideration of the effects 
of the project, all of which are documented in the Draft Environmental 
Impact Statement, the Written Reevaluation/Technical Report on Changes 
to the Proposed JFK Airport Access Program and the Final Environmental 
Impact Statement. The FAA's determinations are outlined in the ROD. The 
Final Environmental Impact Statement was approved on May 12, 1997. The 
ROD was concurred in on July 18, 1997.
    The LRS is intended to achieve the objective of providing reliable, 
safe, and efficient ground access for air passengers and employees with 
frequent service to, from, and within JFK, and links to the regional 
mass transportation system, that will assist JFK to realize its 
effective capacity and continue operating successfully. By removing 
cars traveling to and from JFK on the regional roadway network, the LRS 
would result in reduced vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in the region, 
easing congestion, and improving air quality, assisting in the region's 
efforts to comply with federal air quality standards. In terms of 
broader objectives, the LRS is intended to support the region's 
competitive position in the global economy, as well as preserve the 
capacity of the national air transportation system.
    Improved access to JFK will provide the potential for JFK to remain 
the critical gateway that it currently is, and may enhance its ability 
to compete with other gateway cities in the Region.

    Issued in Jamaica, New York on July 23, 1997.
William DeGraaff,
Assistant Manager, Airports Division.
[FR Doc. 97-20075 Filed 7-30-97; 8:45 am]
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