[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 218 (Thursday, November 12, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63349-63350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30240]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: George Bush Intercontinental 
Airport, Houston, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared and considered 
for construction of a proposed new Runway 8L-26R, extension and 
widening of Runway 14R-32L and associated near term master plan 
projects at George Bush International Airport, Houston, Texas.
    The purpose of the proposed project is to reduce aircraft delay and 
maintain the Airport's ability to serve as a connecting hub.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
William J. Flanagan, Senior Program Manager, ASW-651, Texas Airports 
Development Office, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76137-
4298. Telephone (817) 222-5655.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA, in cooperation with the city of 
Houston Department of Aviation, will prepare an EIS for the proposed 
project. The city of Houston proposes to construct a new air carrier 
runway to improve the efficiency of George Bush Intercontinental 
Airport. The preliminary proposed placement of the runway is parallel 
to and north of the existing Runway 8-26. The preliminary length is 
approximately 9,400 feet. While this is the preliminary layout proposed 
by the city of Houston, a number of alternative placements will be 
explored in the EIS. The city of Houston also proposes to extend and 
widen Runway 14R-32L to improve the efficiency of the Airport. 
Extensions to both runway ends, as well as a single runway end, will be 
considered in the EIS. The city of Houston also proposes to expand the 
International Arrival Building (IAB) to improve the terminal efficiency 
of George Bush Intercontinental Airport. International traffic has been 
increasing an average of 15 percent a year since 1995. Associated with 
these projects, the City proposes the following projects: improve 
Airport drainage, construct storm runoff treatment system, extend the 
Automated People Mover (APM), extend the Terminal C south ramp, extend 
the ramp north of Terminals B and C, expand aircraft rescue and fire 
fighting (ARFF) Station 54, construct a new cargo area, extend Taxiway 
SD across JFK Boulevard, and other near-term projects.
    The FAA intends to conduct a scoping process to gather input from 
all interested parties to help identify any issues of concern 
associated with the proposed project. In addition to this notice, 
Federal, state, and local agencies which have jurisdiction by law or 
have special expertise with respect to any potential environmental 
impacts associated with the proposed project will be notified through 
letter of a scoping meeting to be held at 1 p.m. on December 9, 1998, 
in the Terminal A conference room at George Bush Intercontinental 
Airport. In order to notify the general public of the scoping process, 
a notice will be placed in a newspaper having general circulation in 
the project area describing the proposed

[[Page 63350]]

project and its purpose. The newspaper notice will notify the public 
that a scoping meeting will be held on December 9, 1998, at the Nimitz 
High School, 2005 W.W. Thorne Rd., Houston, TX 77073 and on December 
10, 1998, at the Deerbrook Mall Community Room, 20131 Highway 59, 
Humble, TX 77338 to gain the public's input concerning the proposed 
project.

    Issued on: November 4, 1998.
Naomi L. Saunders,
Manager, Airports Division.
[FR Doc. 98-30240 Filed 11-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M