[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 97 (Thursday, May 20, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27612-27613]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12742]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Final Environmental Impact Statement; Colorado Airspace 
Initiative (CAI)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transportation.

ACTION: Extension of the time period during which the FAA will receive 
public comment on its Notice of Availability and Intent to Adopt the 
Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Colorado Airspace 
Initiative.

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

SUMMARY: On Tuesday, April 27, 1999, the Federal Aviation 
Administration provided notice that is was recirculating and intended 
to adopt the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) prepared by 
the Air National Guard (ANG) for the modification of existing, and the 
establishment of new military training airspace areas in Colorado, 
hereinafter known as the Colorado Airspace Initiative (CAI). The 
proposed actions assessed in the FEIS are substantially the same a the 
new military training airspace that the ANG has asked the FAA to 
designate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Gaffin, Environmental 
Specialist, Environmental Programs Division (ATA-300), Office of Air 
Traffic Airspace Management, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC, 20591 (202) 267-3075.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As provided in 40 CFR 1506.3 and FAA Order 
1050.1D, Policies and Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts, 
the FEIS of another Federal Agency may be adopted in accordance with 
the procedures in 40 CFR 1506.3. Under 40 CFR 1506.3(b), if the actions 
covered by an EIS and the actions proposed by another Federal agency 
are substantially the same, the agency adopting another agency's 
statement is not required to recirculate it except as a final 
statement. The FAA has determined that the proposed action of modifying 
existing and establishing new military training airspace areas over the 
State of Colorado is substantially the same as the actions considered 
in the ANG's FEIS. FAA staff has independency reviewed the ANG FEIS to 
determine if it is current and that the FAA NEPA procedures have been 
satisfied. FAA has determined that the FEIS adequately assesses and 
discloses the potential environmental impacts of the proposed action. 
FAA staff concluded that, after mitigation measures are taken into 
consideration, the existing airspace can be modified and new military 
training airspace can be established with no significant impacts on 
environmental resources.
    The proposal will modify existing and establish new military 
training airspace areas over the State of Colorado. The ANG has 
requested this action to respond to changes in readiness training 
requirements. The requirements are reflected in specific United States 
Air Force regulations for military aircraft and personnel operating in 
the affected airspace. Additionally, this action responds to the 
changes in commercial

[[Page 27613]]

aircraft arrival and departure corridors required for operation of the 
Denver International Airport.
    The ANG evaluated the environmental impacts of the CAI in its 
document, Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Colorado 
Airspace Initiative, (FEIS) dated August 1997. The preferred 
alternative was also the environmentally preferred alternative in the 
FEIS. The preferred alternative was modified in response to concerns 
raised by private citizens, government agencies, and various public 
interest groups. The ANG changed its proposal to narrow the widths of 
portions of corridors of four military training routes and withdrew one 
route. Subsequently, the ANG issued a Record of Decision (ROD) on 
October 28, 1997, approving the preferred alternative as modified. The 
ANG then submitted the FEIS to the FAA with its application for 
airspace approval.
    In furtherance of CEQ regulations, in addition to the executive 
summary of the ANG FEIS, the FAA is recirculating the following 
information: (1) the ANG's ROD; (2) a summary of public comments 
submitted during the aeronautical review and responses to the comments; 
and (3) a summary of the refinements the ANG made in the ROD to the 
preferred alternative after the ANG FEIS was issued.
    Any person may obtain a copy of the ANG FEIS, ROD and the above-
referenced information by submitting a request to: Air National Guard 
Readiness Center, Program Manager, CAI EIS, ANGRC/CEVP, 3500 Fetchet 
Avenue, Andrews Air Force Base, MD 20762-5157.
    Written comments may be sent to the address below, and are due by 
June 21, 1999:

Federal Aviation Administration, Environmental Programs Division, Air 
Traffic Airspace Management Program, Attn.: Elizabeth Gaffin, rm. 422, 
800 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20591.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 14, 1999.
William J. Marx,
Manager, Environmental Programs Division.
[FR Doc. 99-12742 Filed 5-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M