[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 166 (Thursday, August 27, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 45896]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-23005]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and 
To Conduct Scoping for Proposed Air Traffic Control Procedures and 
Airspace Modifications for Aircraft Entering and Existing the Chicago 
and Milwaukee Airspace Areas

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
and to Conduct Public Scoping.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Great Lakes Region, 
is issuing this notice to advise the public that an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared and considered to evaluate 
proposed air traffic control procedures and airspace modifications for 
aircraft entering and exiting the Chicago and Milwaukee Terminal Radar 
Approach Control airspace areas. To ensure that all significant issues 
related to the proposed action are identified, public scoping will be 
held.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Annette Davis, Federal Aviation Administration, Great Lakes Region, 
Air Traffic Division, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois, 
60018, 847-294-7832.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA will prepare an EIS to evaluate 
proposed air traffic control procedures and airspace modifications as 
identified by the Chicago Terminal Airspace Project (CTAP). The purpose 
of the proposed changes is to improve traffic flows and reduce airborne 
and ground delays during peak periods. The proposed changes would 
enhance safety and efficiently by maximizing controller flexibility and 
simplifying operations for pilots.
    The primary focus of the proposed project is the transfer of 
portions of the Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) 
airspace to Chicago Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) airspace 
along the existing high-altitude arrival gateways. Components of the 
proposal also include:
     One additional high-altitude arrival route, two modified 
arrival routes, and more flexible use of existing departure corridors 
for Chicago O'Hare International Airport
     A more direct route for arrival aircraft from the 
northwest and northeast destined for Chicago Midway Airport, Chicago 
Meigs Airport, Gary Airport, and other general aviation/reliever 
airports
     One new high-altitude arrival route separating Milwaukee 
General Mitchell Airport and reliever/satellite airport traffic
    The proposed changes would occur within a widespread area and 
include primary and reliever airports in northeast Illinois, southern 
Wisconsin, and northwest Indiana. Because there exists a potential to 
generate noise impacts, the FAA has made a decision to initiate the EIS 
process. The FAA retains the option to terminate the EIS process and 
issue an Environmental Assessment (EA) with a Finding of No Significant 
Impact (FONSI) if warranted, based on the environmental review process.
    Public Scoping: The purpose of scoping is to ensure that the full 
range of issues related to a proposed project are addressed and all 
significant issues are identified. In this endeavor, comments and 
suggestions are invited from Federal, State, and local agencies, and 
other interested parties. Copies of materials regarding the proposed 
project may be obtained from the information contact listed above.
    Information is also available on the Internet at the web site 
address http://www.faa.gov/ctap.html.
    To facilitate understanding of the proposed project and receipt of 
comments from the public, two scoping meetings will be held on Monday, 
September 28, 1998. The first meeting, for community representatives, 
locally elected officials, and special interest groups, will be held 
from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Federal Aviation Administration 
Great Lakes Regional Office, 2300 E. Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL, 
60018, Room 453. A second meeting, for resource agencies will be held 
from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Federal Aviation Administration 
Great Lakes Regional Office, 2300 E. Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL, 
60018, Room 453. A workshop for the general public will be held 
Thursday, October 1, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Federal 
Aviation Administration Great Lakes Regional Office, 2300 E. Devon 
Avenue, Des Plaines, IL, 60018, Room 166/170.
    Written comments may be mailed to Ms. Annette Davis, AGL-520.E, 
Federal Aviation Administration, Great Lakes Region, Air Traffic 
Division, 2300 E. Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL, 60018, prior to 
October 16, 1998.
* * * * *
    Issued in Des Plaines, Illinois, on August 20, 1998.
Richard K. Petersen,
Acting Assistant Manager, Air Traffic Division.
[FR Doc. 98-23005 Filed 8-26-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M