[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 78 (Tuesday, April 23, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19794-19795]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-9853]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement, Panama City-
Bay County International Airport, Panama City, Florida

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing this 
notice to announce to the public that an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) will be prepared to consider alternatives to meet forecast growth 
in aviation demand in the Panama City-Bay County region.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Virginia Lane, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Orlando Airports District Office, 5950 Hazeltine 
National Drive, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32822-5024, 407/812-6331, 
Extension 29.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Panama City-Bay County International 
Airport (PFN), owned and operated by the Panama City-Bay County Airport 
and Industrial District (Sponsor), is located approximately five miles 
northwest of the central business district of Panama City, Florida. PFN 
has two 150-foot wide runways, Runway 5-23 and Runway 14-32. Runway 5-
23 measures 4,888 feet in length and is primarily used by general 
aviation aircraft. Runway 14-32, with a length of 6,304 feet, serves as 
the primary runway for commercial airline service at PFN.
    During the 1990s, an Environmental Assessment was initiated by the 
Sponsor to consider alternatives to provide an 8,000-foot runway at 
PFN. This study recommended an extension of Runway 14-32 to the 
northwest into Goose Bayou. However, the proposed extension would have 
environmental impacts to Class II waters that are protected under 
Florida state law. Due to opposition to the runway extension, the 
Environmental Assessment was deferred in 1998.
    With support from the FAA and the Florida Department of 
Transportation (FDOT), the Sponsor initiated an effort in 1999 to study 
the feasibility of relocating or expanding the existing airport 
facilities. The Feasibility Study resulted in a determination that 
relocation of the airport was technically feasible. In 2000, the 
Sponsor completed a Site Selection Study to assist the Sponsor in 
deciding a preferred location of a relocated airport. The Site 
Selection Study recommended a preferred site, located north of County 
Road 388, east of State Road 79, south of State Road 20, and west of 
State Road 77. Relocation of the airport to the preferred site is the 
Sponsor's proposed project.
    On November 7, 2001, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental Assessment to consider 
alternatives to meet forecast growth in aviation demand in the Panama 
City-Bay County region. Agency and public scoping meetings were held on 
December 13, 2001. Following review of written comments submitted by 
agencies and the public, and review of available information regarding 
the potential for significant environmental impacts, including impacts 
to 1,400-1,800 acres of wetlands, the FAA has determined that an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for the project.
    Alternatives to be considered in the EIS, in addition to the no 
action alternative, will include expansion alternatives at the existing 
airport site, the Sponsor's proposed project to relocate the airport to 
a new site, and other reasonable alternatives as determined during the 
FAA's alternatives analysis process. The EIS will evaluate the 
environmental impacts of all reasonable alternatives, including the 
evaluation of environmental impacts related to noise, air quality, 
water quality, land use, wetlands, ecological resources, floodplains, 
hazardous materials, historic and archaeological resources, 
environmental justice floodplains, and farmlands.

    Questions may be directed to the individual named above under the 
heading FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.


[[Page 19795]]


    Issued in Orlando, Florida, April 9, 2002.
W. Dean Stringer,
Manager, Orlando Airports Districts Office.
[FR Doc. 02-9853 Filed 4-22-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M