[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 13, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19605-19606]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8372]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Public Hearing and Availability of a Draft 
Environmental Assessment (EA) for Installation of Category II/III 
Approaches at O'Hare International Airport at Chicago, IL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice to hold a public hearing and of availability of a draft 
Environmental Assessment for Installation of Category II/III approaches 
at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has prepared and is 
making available the Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) for the 
following proposed action at O'Hare International Airport: the upgrade 
of Runways 27LK and 27R from a category I approach to a Category II/III 
approach, the installation of an Approach Lighting System with 
Sequenced Flashing Lights (ALSF-2) system to Runways 27L and 27R, the 
construction of localizer buildings and associated equipment including 
removal of the existing buildings, installation of 1,000-gallon 
underground storage tanks at the localizer buildings, the replacement 
or potential relocation of the localizer antennae on Runway 27R, the 
installation of an Inner Marker and Far Field Monitor on Runways 27L 
and 27R, the removal of existing Medium Intensity Approach Lighting 
System with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights (MALSR) systems from 
Runway 27L and 27R, the removal of the Runways 27L and 27R Middle 
Marker, shelter, and antenna, the replacement of the glide slope 
antenna and equipment for Runway 27R, the installation of taxiway 
centerline lights in the apron north of Gates B-17 through B-22, the 
installation of Runway Guard Lights (RGLs) at connecting taxiways to 
Runways 27L and 27R, the expansion of lease areas, by the FAA, from the 
City8 of Chicago on airport property, the development of Category II/
III instrument approach procedures for Runways 27L and27R, and the 
issuance of National Airspace System (NAS)

[[Page 19606]]

Change Proposal (NCP) waivers associated with design and installation 
of the preceding.
    The Draft EA is being prepared in accordance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, FAA Order 1050.1D, 
``Policies and Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts,'' and 
FAA Order 5050.4A, ``Airport Environmental Handbook.'' The proposed 
development action is consistent with the National Airspace System Plan 
prepared by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA).
    A Draft Environmental Assessment will be available for public 
review 30 days prior to the Public Hearing during normal business hours 
at the following locations:
Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington 
Heights, IL 60004
Bensenville Public Library, 200 S. Church Rd., Bensenville, IL 60106
Chicago Department of Aviation Office, Terminal 2 E/F Concourse, 
Mezzanine Level Chicago O'Hare International Airport 60016
Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood St., Dews Plaines, IL 60016
Eisenhower Public Library, 4652 N. Olcott Ave., Harwood Heights, IL 
60706
Elk Grove Village Public Library, 1001 Wellington Ave., Elk Grove 
Village, IL 60007
Elmhurst Public Library, 211 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst, IL 60126
Franklin Park Public Library, 10311 Grand Ave., Franklin Park, IL 60131
Harold Washington Library, 400 South State St., 5th Floor, Chicago, IL 
60605
Norridge Village Hall, Office of the Village Clerk, 4000 N. Olcott 
Ave., Norridge, IL 60706
Northlake Public Library, 231 N. Wolf Rd., Northlake, IL 60164
Oakton Community College Library, Des Plaines, IL 60016
Park Ridge Public Library, 20 S. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge, IL 60068
Rosemont village Hall, Office of the Village Clerk, 9501 Devon Avenue, 
Rosemont, IL 60018
Schiller Park Public Library, 4200 Old River Rd., Schiller Park, IL 
60176
Wood Dale Public Library, 520 N. Wood Dale Rd., Wood Dale, IL 60191
Northeast Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC), 222 South Riverside 
Plaza, Suite 1800, Chicago, Illinois 60606
    Dates, Times and Place: Oral or written comments may also be given 
at a Public Hearing that will be held on Tuesday, May 18, 2004, 2 p.m. 
to 7 p.m. at the Fountain Blue Banquets and Conference Center, 2300 
Mannheim Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018.

ADDRESSES: Written comments are encouraged from persons or interested 
parties unable to attend the public hearing or who do not wish to make 
public statements. Written comments concerning the Draft EA will be 
accepted until 5 p.m. CST, Tuesdy, June 1, 2004. Written comments may 
be sent to: Ms. Virginia Marcks, ANI-430, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Virginia Marcks, Environmental 
Engineer, ANI-430, Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon 
Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018. Telephone number: 847-294-7494.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    O'Hare, the world's busiest airport in terms of aircraft operations 
in 2003, functions as both a gateway for international passengers and 
as a key component in the domestic network of the national air 
transportation system. In its domestic role, O'Hare is unique in that 
it serves as the nation's only dual major airline hub (for both United 
and American Airlines) and, due to its geographic location, serves as a 
logical connecting point for significant passenger flows across the 
United States. However, increasing traffic has resulted in record level 
delays at O'Hare, particularly during IFR or inclement weather 
conditions, placing O'Hare last in on-time performance among the 31 
busiest U.S. airports. Since the mid-70's, the installation of Category 
II/III capability has been examined for the potential to benefit 
arrival and departure capabilities during poor weather conditions. The 
FAA's Proposed Action will allow existing scheduled operations to occur 
during IFR weather conditions, thereby reducing cancellations and 
delays benefiting the entire National Airspace System.

Meeting Procedures

    (a) Persons wishing to speak at the meeting are asked to limit 
their comments to five minutes. This could be extended depending on the 
number of person wishing to speak.
    (b) Persons wishing to make oral presentations will be required to 
identify themselves for the record.
    (c) Proceedings of the meeting will be documented and recorded.
    (d) Any person who wishes to submit a position paper or other 
written comments for the record may do so.
    (e) The sessions may be adjourned at any time if persons present 
have had an opportunity to speak.
    (f) This meeting is designed for listening carefully to public 
statements. As such, there will be no rebuttal from persons 
facilitating the meeting.

    Issued in Des Plaines, Illinois April 7, 2004.
Vincent Bridgeworth,
Manager, Chicago NAS Implementation Center, ANI-400, Great Lakes 
Region.
[FR Doc. 04-8372 Filed 4-12-04; 8:45 am]
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