[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 153 (Thursday, August 9, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44856-44857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15561]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Jackson Hole Airport Use Agreement Extension, Environmental 
Impact Statement, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
for the Jackson Hole Airport Use Agreement Extension, Grand Teton 
National Park.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 
U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service is preparing an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Jackson Hole Airport Use 
Agreement Extension, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. This effort 
addresses a request from the Jackson Hole Airport Board to amend the 
use agreement between the Department of the Interior and the Airport 
Board in order to ensure that the airport remains eligible for funding 
through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Alternatives to be 
considered include Alternative 1: No Action--The airport would continue 
operations under the existing use agreement which currently has an 
expiration date of April 27, 2033; Alternative 2: Extend Agreement--
Jackson Hole Airport Board proposal to extend the use agreement for an 
additional two 10-year terms, bringing the expiration date to April 27, 
2053; and Alternative 3: Update and Extend Agreement--Extend the use 
agreement for an additional two 10-year terms with minor modifications 
as mutually agreed to by the NPS and the Airport Board.
    The Jackson Hole Airport is located on 533 acres of land within 
Grand Teton National Park. The airport operates under the terms and 
conditions of a 1983 use agreement between the Department of the 
Interior and the Jackson Hole Airport Board. The 1983 agreement was for 
a primary term of 30 years, with options for two 10-year extensions, 
both of which have been exercised. The agreement also includes a 
provision that further extensions, amendments, or modifications could 
be negotiated by the parties on mutually satisfactory terms, and that 
the parties agree that upon expiration of the agreement, a mutually 
satisfactory extension could be negotiated.
    The FAA requires that airports have use agreements of 20 years or 
more in order to remain eligible for Airport Improvement Program funds. 
An extension of the existing use agreement is needed to provide 
assurance that the airport will remain eligible for funding beyond the 
year 2013.
    In November 2006, a public scoping notice soliciting public 
comments was circulated describing the purpose and need for the 
project. Based on comments received and subsequent data gathered, the 
NPS has determined the preparation of an EIS is warranted. Preliminary 
EIS impact topics include: Natural soundscape, air quality, water 
quality, wildlife/T&E species, visual quality/dark skies, public health 
and safety, visitor use & experience, transportation planning, 
socioeconomics, park & airport operations.

DATES: The National Park Service will conduct further scoping for the 
draft alternatives and EIS for a period of 30-

[[Page 44857]]

days beyond publication of this Notice of Intent. Previous scoping 
comments submitted will be considered and need not be resubmitted.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments to: Jackson Hole Airport Use Agreement 
Extension, Superintendent's Office, Grand Teton National Park, PO 
Drawer 170, Moose, WY 83012. Electronic comments can be made online at 
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/grte.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Pollock, Grand Teton National 
Park, PO Drawer 170, Moose, Wyoming 83012-0170, (370) 739-3428, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Our practice is to make comments, including 
names and home addresses of respondents, available for public review 
during regular business hours. Before including your address, phone 
number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including 
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available 
at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

    Dated: June 27, 2007.
Michael D. Snyder,
Regional Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. E7-15561 Filed 8-8-07; 8:45 am]
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