[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 77 (Wednesday, April 22, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19996-19997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10682]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Agency and Public Scoping for Cal Black Memorial 
Airport Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation.

ACTION: Notice of public and agency scoping.

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SUMMARY: The Northwest Mountain Region of the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) as lead and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 
and National Park Service (NPS) as cooperating agencies announce that 
the FAA intends to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) to address issues arising from the 1993 10th Circuit 
U.S. Court of Appeals Decision concerning the closure of Halls Crossing 
Airport and the development of Cal Black Memorial Airport. To ensure 
that all significant issues related to the action are identified, 
additional scoping comments are requested.

DATE AND ADDRESS FOR COMMENTS: Scoping was conducted in 1990 concerning 
the development of this replacement airport and the transfer of land 
from the BLM to San Juan County. Subsequent to the 1993, 10th Circuit 
Court Decision additional scoping was conducted in 1995 and 1997. 
Additional scoping is being conducted prior to initiating the Draft 
Supplemental EIS. The FAA has prepared a scoping document that is 
available by contacting the FAA or by accessing the Internet site at 
``http:/www.airportnetwork.com/U96''.

    Send comments to, or seek additional information from, the 
responsible Federal official: Mr. Craig Sparks, Denver Airports 
District Office, Federal Aviation Administration, 26805 East 68th 
Street, Suite 224, Denver, Colorado 80249-6361. To be considered, 
written comments must be received on or before May 18, 1998. Comments 
may also be submitted through the project web site, which may be 
accessed at: ``http:/www.airportnetwork.com/U96''.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Halls Crossing Airport was located within 
the boundary of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, a unit of the 
NPS. Due to safety issues with this airport, an EIS was undertaken 
concerning the development of a replacement airport. In 1990, the FAA 
issued a Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statement for the 
development of a replacement Airport, in cooperation with the BLM and 
NPS. In August 1990, the FAA issued a record of decision approving the 
development of Cal Black Memorial Airport and conveying the land from 
BLM to San Juan County. In reaching its approval, the FAA determined 
that no significant impacts would result from the new airport to the 
recreational experience of visitors to the recreational area.
    In 1990, the National Parks and Conservation Association (NPCA), et 
al brought suit against the FAA concerning the adequacy of the EIS and 
the adequacy of the BLM Plan Amendment and land transfer process. In 
its July 7, 1993, decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit, 
remanded the EIS decision back to the FAA for further environmental 
analysis of aircraft noise impacts to the recreational use of public 
lands and the BLM's plan amendment and transfer of land.

[[Page 19997]]

    Thus, the purpose of the Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement is to address the requirements of the U.S. Court of Appeals 
findings. The scope of the EIS will include: (1) The identification of 
a threshold of significant aircraft noise impact, (2) the measurement 
of actual aircraft noise levels, (3) the survey of visitors to the Glen 
Canyon National Recreational Area, (4) the evaluation of existing and 
future aircraft noise levels; and (5) if significant impacts are 
identified, the evaluation of alternative means of mitigating the 
significant impact. In addition, the Supplemental EIS will review the 
BLM plan amendment and transfer of land issues.
    The National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management will 
continue to serve as cooperating agencies in preparing the Supplemental 
EIS.

    Issued in Renton, Washington on April 15, 1998.
David A. Field,
Manager, Planning, Programming, and Capacity Branch, Northwest Mountain 
Region.
[FR Doc. 98-10682 Filed 4-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M