[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 225 (Monday, November 23, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64754-64755]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31209]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for 
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, Florida, and Invitation to 
Public Meeting and to Comment

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Environmental Assessment (EA) and 
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Invitation to Public 
Meeting and to Comment.

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SUMMARY: In March 1996, a Noise Compatibility Program (NCP) was 
published for the Sarasota-Brandenton International Airport (SRQ). The 
NCP was prepared by and on behalf of the Sarasota-Manatee Airport 
Authority (SMAA), owner and operator of SRQ. Included in the NCP was a 
recommendation for the FAA to implement a revised air traffic procedure 
for departures utilizing Runway 32 (RWY 32).
    In compliance with FAA Order 1050.1D, ``Policies and Procedures for 
considering Environmental Impacts'', the EA was prepared to address the 
potential impacts of implementing the revised procedures for RWY 32 
departures from SRQ. Although no other alternative than the proposed 
departure procedure was examined as part of this EA, numerous other 
alternatives were evaluated as part of the NCP. Those alternatives, 
along with a no action alternative were dismissed, as they did not meet 
the purpose and need identified in the NCP.
    Based on the evaluation in the EA, no significant impacts 
associated with the revised procedure were identified. Therefore, no 
environmental impact statement will be prepared and a FONSI is being 
issued.

DATES: Public meeting will be held on December 18, 1998. Comments will 
be received until January 17, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the EA/FONSI may be delivered or mailed to; 
Federal Aviation Administration, Attention: Nancy Shelton, Manager, 
Airspace Branch, ASO-520, Air Traffic Division, Southern Region 
Headquarters, 1701 Columbia Ave., College Park, GA. 30337.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Nancy Shelton at the address listed above or telephone (404) 305-
5490.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Environmental regulations allow for 
implementation of the revised procedures without further public 
involvement. However, due to concerns expressed by residents of Long 
Boat Key, Florida, the FAA will host a public meeting to explain the 
findings of the EA. The purpose of this meeting is to assist the public 
in understanding the revised procedures and eliminate any potential 
controversy.
    Additionally, the EA contains explanations and graphics depicting 
the no action alternative and the proposed alternative for years 1995 
and 2000, and the no action alternative for 2013. To assist in the 
public's understanding of the potential impacts from implementation of 
the proposed alternative, at the public meeting the FAA will also have 
handouts and graphics displaying the potential impacts for out-years 
2000 and 2005.
    The public meeting will be held on Friday, December 18, from 4:00 
PM until 7:00 PM. The meeting location and time are as follows: The 
Sudakoff Center, University of South Florida at Sarasota/Manatee and 
New College of USF, 5700 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243.
    Any person may obtain a copy of the EA/FONSI and the information 
relating to the out-year forecasts by submitting a request to Ms. 
Shelton.
    The EA/FONSI and out-year forecasts will also be available for 
review at the following public libraries:

Sarasota County Selby Public Library, 1001 Boulevard of The Arts, 
Sarasota, FL 34236.
Manatee County Public Library, 1301 Barcarrota Blvd. West, Bradenton, 
FL 34205.
Longboat Key Library, 555 Bay Isles Rd., Longboat Key, FL 34228.

History

    The current procedure for northbound aircraft departing RWY 32 is 
to turn left at 0.9 distance measuring equipment (DME) to intercept the 
SRQ very-high frequency omni-directional range (VOR) 295 degree radial. 
Aircraft continue on this radial until reaching an altitude of 3,000 
feet. At that point they are released to turn north by air traffic 
control (ATC).
    The current procedure for southbound aircraft is to turn left at 
0.9 DME to a heading of 270 degrees for radar vectors

[[Page 64755]]

by ATC to on course. Aircraft typically make the turn to the south 
either within Sarasota Bay (commuter aircraft) or west of the beaches 
of LongBoat Key to over the Gulf of Mexico (air carrier aircraft).
    The NCP recommended the existing procedures be modified so that all 
aircraft weighing over 25,000 pounds and all jet aircraft departing RWY 
32 be instructed to turn left at 0.9 DME to join the SRQ VOR 270 degree 
radial outbound. Aircraft would then continue on the SRQ VOR 270 degree 
radial until they are at least 7 DME, then proceed on course or as 
instructed by ATC. This would ensure that all jet aircraft are beyond 
the barrier island and over the Gulf of Mexico prior to turning either 
north or south.
    The EA evaluates the proposed implementation of the revised 
departure procedures for RWY 32 at SRQ. These proposed procedures are 
designed to reduce aircraft noise impacts in two ways: first, by 
directing aircraft over the least populated area, and, secondly, by 
maximizing the aircraft flyovers above the residential buyout area 
identified in the NCP.
    The FAA had previously approved the NCP. With issuance of the EA/
FONSI, the FAA is approving the revised departure procedure for RWY 32 
for implementation. However, implementation of the revised procedure 
will be delayed until training of ATC personnel and until publication 
of the appropriate documentation can be accomplished.

    Issued in Washington, DC on November 17, 1998.
William J. Marx,
Manager, Office of Air Traffic Airspace Management, Environmental 
Programs Division.
[FR Doc. 98-31209 Filed 11-18-98; 4:08 pm]
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