[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 216 (Thursday, November 7, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67891-67892]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-28377]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Extension of Scoping Comment Period, Until December 9, 2002, on 
the Notice of Intent To Prepare Draft and Final Environmental Impact 
Statements for a Replacement Airport at St. George, UT

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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[[Page 67892]]

    The Northwest Mountain Region, Airports Division, Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), announces it has extended, until December 9, 
2002, the scoping comment period pertaining the FAA Notice of Intent 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 of the Park (Zion National Park) as a result 
of construction of the proposed replacement airport in light of air 
traffic near and over the Park, from 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.
    In previously issued notices (Federal Register and The Specturm 
Newspaper, St. George, Utah) some misunderstanding may have existed 
regarding the use of the word ``Park'' in the Background text. This 
notice clarifies that the Park in question is Zion National Park. 
Further, the FAA has extended the scoping comment period until December 
9, 2002, to insure an adequate comment period with a clear 
understanding that the ``Park'' is Zion National Park.

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 alternative 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 Library, 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 December 9, 
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: October 29, 2002.
Lowell H. Johnson,
Manager, Airports Division, Northwest Mountain Region.
[FR Doc. 02-28377 Filed 11-6-02; 8:45 am]
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