[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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