[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 91 (Friday, May 9, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26464-26465]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-10184]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (Draft EIS) for the Replacement of Runway 10R/28L, 
Development of a New Passenger Terminal, and Other Associated Airport 
Projects at Port Columbus International Airport (CMH) and Notice of 
Public Hearing

AGENCY: The lead Federal agency is the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Notice of availability, notice of public comment period, notice 
of public information meeting and public hearing.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is issuing this Notice of Availability to advise the 
public that a Draft EIS will be available for public review beginning 
May 16, 2008. The document was prepared pursuant to major environmental 
directives to comply with NEPA: Section 102(2)(c) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190); Section 106 
consultation for impacts to historic structures, as identified in 36 
CFR 800.8, Coordination with the National Environmental Policy Act; 
U.S. Department of Transportation Section 303(c) consultation; and 
other applicable Federal and State environmental laws, regulations, and 
Executive Orders.
    The Draft EIS was prepared in response to a proposal presented to 
the FAA by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority (CRAA), the owner 
and operator of CMH and identified in the Draft EIS as the Airport 
Sponsor, for environmental review.
    The FAA prepared this Draft EIS to analyze and disclose potential 
environmental impacts related to possible Federal actions at CMH. 
Numerous Federal actions would be necessary if airfield development 
were to be implemented. Proposed improvements include replacement of 
Runway 10R/28L, Development of a New Passenger Terminal, and other 
airfield projects (see below).
    The Draft EIS presents the purpose and need for the proposed 
Federal action, analysis of reasonable alternatives, including the No 
Action alternative, discussion of impacts for each reasonable 
alternative, and supporting appendices. The FAA will consider all 
information contained in this Draft EIS and additional information that 
may be provided during the public comment period before issuing a Final 
EIS and Agency decision regarding the possible alternatives and Federal 
actions.
    The Airport Sponsor proposes to replace Runway 10R/28L at CMH, 
approximately 700 feet south of the existing Runway 10R/28L; develop 
new terminal facilities in the midfield area; provide ancillary 
facilities in support of the replacement runway and midfield terminal; 
and implement noise abatement air traffic procedures developed for the 
replacement runway.
    The replacement runway would be 10,113 feet long. This length would 
maintain CMH's ability to accommodate current and projected airport 
operations. Existing Runway 10R/28L would be decommissioned as a runway 
and converted into a taxiway upon commissioning of the replacement 
runway. In addition, a south taxiway and north parallel taxiways to 
proposed Runway 10R/28L would be constructed.
    To meet future aircraft parking and passenger processing 
requirements, new midfield terminal facilities are needed. The Draft 
EIS assesses a development envelope that is defined as an area large 
enough to encompass Phase I and II of the CRAA terminal development 
program. The Draft EIS discusses the number of gates, approximate 
square footage, approximate curb frontage, and the number of passengers 
that the terminal would accommodate.
    Ancillary facilities in support of the replacement runway and 
midfield terminal would be constructed. The facilities include roadway 
relocations and construction; parking improvements; property 
acquisition; and relocation of residences, as necessary.

[[Page 26465]]

    The CRAA has prepared a 14 CFR Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study 
Update (Part 150 Update) to address the current and future noise 
conditions. The Part 150 Update includes an analysis of the potential 
noise and land use impacts resulting from the proposed development of 
relocating Runway 10R/28L to the south, as well as possible mitigation 
options. The noise abatement air traffic options recommended through 
the Part 150 Update are included in the EIS as part of the proposed 
project. In addition, the land use mitigation that is recommended in 
the Part 150 Update is included in the EIS as mitigation for impacts 
resulting from the proposed project.
    Public Comment and Information Workshop/Public Hearing: The public 
comment period on the Draft EIS will start May 16, 2008 and will end on 
July 11, 2008. Two Public Information Workshops and Public Hearings 
will be held on June 11 and 12, 2008 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the 
following locations:

June 11,2008, Oakland Park at Brentnell Elementary School, 1270 
Brentnell Avenue, Columbus, OH 43219;
June 12, 2008, Whitehall Community Park, Activities Center, 402 North 
Hamilton Road, Whitehall, OH 43213.

    The Public Hearings will conclude when the last registered speaker 
presents their oral comments for the record. In the event that it 
becomes necessary, time limits may be imposed.
    Comments can only be accepted with the full name and address of the 
individual commenting. Mailed and faxed comments are to be submitted to 
Ms. Katherine Jones of the FAA, at the address shown in FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT. E-mailed comments should be sent to 
[email protected]). All comments must be postmarked, faxed or e-mailed by 
no later than midnight, Friday, July 11, 2008. The Draft EIS may be 
reviewed for comment during regular business hours at the following 
locations:
    1. Federal Aviation Administration, 11677 S. Wayne Rd., Suite 107, 
Romulus, MI 48174 (Telephone: 734-229-2958).
    2. Columbus Regional Airport Authority, Port Columbus International 
Airport, Administrative Offices, 4600 International Gateway, Columbus, 
OH 43219 (Telephone: 614-239-4063).
    3. City of Gahanna, 200 South Hamilton Road, Gahanna, OH 43230 
(Telephone: 614-342-4000).
    4. City of Whitehall, 360 South Yearling Road, Whitehall, OH 43213 
(Telephone: 614-338-3106).
    5. Jefferson Township, 6545 Havens Road, Blacklick, OH 43004 
(Telephone: 614-855-4260).
    6. City of Bexley, 2242 East Main Street, Bexley, OH 43209 
(Telephone: 614-327-6200).
    7. City of Reynoldsburg, 7232 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg, OH 
43068 (Telephone: 614-322-6800).
    8. Columbus Metropolitan Library, Main Branch, 96 South Grant 
Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215 (Telephone: 614-645-2275).
    9. Columbus Metropolitan Library, Gahanna Branch, 310 Granville 
Street, Gahanna, OH 43230 (Telephone: 614-645-2275).
    10. Columbus Metropolitan Library, Shepard Branch, 790 N. Nelson 
Road, Columbus, OH 43219 (Telephone: 614-645-2275).
    11. Columbus Metropolitan Library, Linden Branch, 2432 Cleveland 
Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211 (Telephone: 614-645-2275).
    12. Columbus Metropolitan Library, Whitehall Branch, 4371 East 
Broad Street, Whitehall, OH 43213 (Telephone: 614-645-2275).
    13. Columbus Metropolitan Library, Reynoldsburg Branch, 1402 Brice 
Road, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068 (Telephone: 614-645-2275).
    14. Bexley Public Library, 2411 East Main Street, Bexley, OH 43209 
(Telephone: 614-231-2793).
    15. CMH EIS Web site, http://www.airportsites.net/cmh-eis.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA encourages all interested parties to 
provide comments concerning the scope and content of the Draft EIS. 
Comments should be as specific as possible. Comments should address the 
contents of the Draft EIS, such as the analysis of potential 
environmental impacts, the adequacy of the proposed action to meet the 
stated need, or the merits of the various alternatives. Reviewers 
should organize their participation to make it meaningful and effective 
in making the FAA aware of the reviewer's interests and concerns. 
Reviewers should use quotations, page references, and other specific 
citations to the text of the Draft EIS and related documents. This 
commenting procedure is intended to ensure that substantive comments 
and concerns are made available to the FAA in a timely and effective 
manner, so that the FAA has an opportunity to address them.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Katherine S. Jones, FAA Detroit 
Airports District Office, 11677 South Wayne Road, Suite 107, Romulus, 
Michigan 48174. Telephone: (734) 229-2958, Fax: (734) 229-2950.

    Issued in Romulus, Michigan on April 30, 2008.
Matthew Thys,
Manager, FAA Detroit Airports District Office.
 [FR Doc. E8-10184 Filed 5-8-08; 8:45 am]
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