[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 194 (Monday, October 7, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 62513]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-25317]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Intent To Prepare Draft and Final Environmental Impact 
Statements

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT

ACTION: Notice.

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    The Northwest Mountain Region, Airports Division, Federal Aviation 
Administration, acting as lead agency, intends to prepare Draft and 
Final Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for the construction of a 
replacement airport at St. George, Utah.

Background

    On January 30, 2001, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
issued a Record of Decision/Finding of No Significant Impact document 
for the construction of a replacement airport at St. George, Utah. On 
December 22, 2001, the Grand Canyon Trust filed suit against the FAA in 
the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. 
On May 24, 2002, the court issued it's decision on the issues. In 
summary, the court found that ``the FAA must evaluate the cumulative 
impact of noise pollution on the Park as a result of construction of 
the proposed replacement airport in light of air traffic near and over 
the Park, for whatever airport, air tours near or in the Park, and the 
acoustical data collected by the NPS in the Park in 1995 and 1998 
mentioned in comments on the draft Environmental Assessment (EA).'' The 
court remanded the case [to the FAA] ``because the record is 
insufficient for the court to determine whether an EIS is required''.
    The purpose of the Draft and Final EIS's will be to address the 
court's issues and any other environmental issues that have changed 
since issuance of the final environmental assessment in January of 
2001.

Proposed Action and Alternatives

    The proposed action is the construction of a replacement airport at 
St. George, Utah. Alternatives to be evaluated include:
    a. No-Build (continue using the existing airport as is).
    b. Build a replacement airport at the preferred site (which is a 
combination of alternatives sites 1 and 1A), and
    c. Alternative sites 1, 1A, and 2 as described on pages 32-40 of 
the final EA.

Scoping Process

    The proposed action was the subject of a Final Environmental 
Assessment (FEA) report prepared in January 2001. Persons wishing to 
review the FEA in order to better understand the proposed action or 
provide comments regarding environmental concerns may review the FEA at 
the following locations:

Federal Aviation Administration, Airports Division, ANM-600, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington, 98055-4056.
Denver Airports District Office, 26805 E. 68th Ave., Suite 224, Denver, 
CO 80249-6361.
City of St. George, Public Works Office, 175 East 200 North, St. 
George, UT 84770.
Washington County Libary, St. George Branch, 50 S. Main, St. George, 
Utah.

    In order to insure that all significant issues related to the 
proposed action are identified and given consideration, letters 
containing environmental concerns must be received by Dennis Ossenkop, 
1601 Lind Ave. SW., Suite 315, Renton, WA 98055-4056 by November 14, 
2002.

Release of Draft EIS

    Approximate Release of Draft EIS: Unknown at this time.

Point of Contact for Information

Dennis Ossenkop, 1601 Lind Ave. SW., Suite 315, Renton, WA 98055-4056, 
Telephone: 425-227-2611.

    Dated: September 27, 2002.
Lowell H. Johnson,
Manager, Airports Division, Northwest Mountain Region.
[FR Doc. 02-25317 Filed 10-4-02; 8:45 am]
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