[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 28, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 70868]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30254]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: New Orleans International 
Airport, New Orleans, Louisiana

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared and considered 
for a proposed new air carrier runway and a taxiway conversion to a 
general aviation runway at New Orleans International Airport. The 
existing north-south Runway \1/19\ does not provide full instrument 
capabilities, nor is it feasible to expand the runway to meet design 
standards to provide these capabilities because of its proximity to 
Airport Access Road and the Interstate 10 overpass. While the proposed 
runway is to provide the capacity to meet near-term forecast peak-
period demands when the airport is experiencing low visibility, it 
would also provide capacity to meet longer-term demands during all 
weather conditions. Some of the alternatives being considered are the 
no action; north/south parallel to existing Runway \1/19\; as well as 
an 8 degree canted north/south alignment. The conversion of the east-
west Taxiway G to a runway is intended to serve general aviation (GA) 
aircraft using the recently constructed northside facilities, allowing 
air traffic controller separation of lower-speed GA aircraft from 
higher performance aircraft. The alternatives being considered are the 
no action; the proposed taxiway to runway conversion, and others that 
will be identified in the EIS study. Included in the alternatives 
analysis will be the consideration of a proposed new Regional Airport.
    Project History: In 1990, the FAA began preparation of an EIS to 
address construction of a new air carrier runway. However, successful 
completion of the 1990 draft EIS was never accomplished. In 1998, the 
City of New Orleans and the New Orleans Aviation Board began moving 
forward with the EIS for a new runway. The FAA selected a consultant 
and preparation of the EIS was begun in late 1999. The U.S. Army Corps 
of Engineers is a cooperating agency with the FAA on this EIS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joyce M. Porter, Environmental 
Specialist, Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest Regional Office, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0640. Telephone (817) 222-5640.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA, in cooperation with the City of New 
Orleans and the New Orleans Aviation Board, will prepare an EIS for the 
proposed projects. The City of New Orleans and the New Orleans Aviation 
Board propose to construct a new air carrier runway, 8,000 ft long and 
150 ft wide, and its associated taxiways; convert a east/west taxiway 
into a parallel Visual Flight Rule general aviation runway, 6,731 ft 
long and 100 ft wide, and construct a new parallel taxiway; and 
redesignate the existing runway \6/24\ to a taxiway. 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 
projects. 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 projects, will be notified by letter of an agency scoping 
meeting to be held January 11, 2001 in the New Orleans Aviation Board 
Room at the airport from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
    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 projects. The newspaper notice 
will notify the public that scoping meetings will be held to gain their 
input concerning the proposed project. The scoping meetings are 
scheduled for: January 8, 2001 at the Jerusalem Temple, 1940 Ormond 
Blvd, Destrehan, LA; January 9, 2001 at the Pontchartrain Center, 4545 
Williams Blvd in Kenner, LA; and January 10, 2001 at the Delgado 
Community College, Michael Williamson Gymnasium, 615 City Park Avenue 
in New Orleans, LA. Each of the three meetings will consist of a public 
workshop providing information about the proposed projects from 4 p.m. 
to 7 p.m., followed by an Open Forum to obtain public comments from 7 
p.m. to 10 p.m. During the public workshops, participants will be able 
to view project related materials and speak with representatives of the 
FAA and their consulting team. The purpose of the Open Forum is to 
receive comments from the public and answer questions regarding the 
scope and process related to the EIS.

    Issued on: November 17, 2000.
Naomi L. Saunders,
Manager, Airports Division.
[FR Doc. 00-30254 Filed 11-27-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M