[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 201 (Tuesday, October 19, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61548-61549]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-23382]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Impact Statement 
(FEIS), Notice of Holding Period for Master Plan Development Including 
Runway Safety Area Enhancement/Extension of Runway 12-30 and Other 
Improvements of Gary/Chicago International Airport located in Gary, IN

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability, notice of holding period.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing this 
notice to advise the public that a Final Environmental Impact Statement 
(FEIS)--Master Plan Development Including Runway Safety Area 
Enhancement/Extension of Runway 12-30 and Other Improvements, Gary/
Chicago International Airport, has been prepared and is in a 30-day 
holding period before a Record of Decision can be signed and issued. 
Written requests for the FEIS and written comments on the FEIS can be 
submitted to the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT. The holding period will commence on October 22, 2004 and will 
close on November 22, 2004.
    Public Availability: Copies of the FEIS may be viewed during 
regular business hours at the following locations:
    1. Gary/Chicago International Airport, 6001 West Industrial 
Highway, Gary, Indiana 46406.
    2. Chicago Airports District Office, Room 312, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018.
    3. Gary Public Library, 220 West 5th Avenue, Gary, Indiana 46402.
    4. Hammond Public Library, 564 State Street, Hammond, Indiana 
46320.
    5. East Chicago Main Library, 2401 East Columbus Drive, East 
Chicago, Indiana 46312.
    6. IU Northwest Library, 3400 Broadway, Gary Indiana 46408.
    7. Lake County Main Library, 1919 West 81st Avenue, Merrillville, 
Indiana 46410-5382.
    8. Purdue Calumet Library, 2200 169th Street, Hammond, Indiana 
46323-2094.
    The FEIS will be available during the Council on Environmental 
Quality's required 30-day holding period from October 22, 2004 to 
November 22, 2004. The FAA will accept comments until November 23, 2004 
at the address listed in the section entitled for further information 
contact.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Prescott C. Snyder, Airports 
Environmental Program Manager, Federal Aviation Administration, 
Airports Division, Room 315, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, 
Illinois 60018. Mr. Snyder can be contacted at (847) 294-7538 (voice), 
(847) 294-7036 (facsimile) or by e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: At the request of the Gary/Chicago Airport 
Authority, the FAA has prepared an Environmental Impact Statement. The 
review addressed specific improvements at the Gary/Chicago 
International Airport as identified during the 2001 Airport Master Plan 
process and the 2003 Railroad Relocation Study, and shown on the 2001 
Airport Layout Plan. The following improvements have been grouped into 
four categories and are identified as ripe for review and decision: (1) 
Improvements associated with the existing Runway 12-30, the primary air 
carrier runway at the airport, relocate the E.J. & E. Railroad, acquire 
land northwest of the airport to allow for modifications to the runway 
safety area, relocate the airside perimeter roadway (including 
providing a southwest access roadway), relocate the Runway 12-30 
navaids, improve the Runway Safety Area for Runway 12, relocate the 
Runway 12 threshold to remove prior displacement, and acquire land 
southeast of the airport, located within or immediately adjacent to the 
runway protection zone; (2) Extension of Runway 12-30, (1356 feet), 
relocate the Runway 12-30 navaids, extend parallel taxiway A to the new 
end of Runway 12, construct deicing hold pads on Taxiway A at Runway 12 
and Runway 30, and develop two high-sped exit taxiways; (3) Expansion 
of the existing passenger terminal to accommodate projected demands; 
and (4) analysis of sites adjacent to the extended runway for potential 
aviation related development, including a future new passenger terminal 
and air cargo area.
    The purpose and need for these improvements is reviewed in the 
FEIS. All reasonable alternative have been considered including the no-
action alternative.


[[Page 61549]]


    Issued in Des Plaines, Illinois on October 8, 2004.
Philip M. Smithmeyer,
Manager, Chicago Airports Districts Office, FAA, Great Lakes Region.
[FR Doc. 04-23382 Filed 10-18-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M