[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 2, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 52584]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-21415]



[[Page 52584]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision on Perimeter 
Road at Jackson Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport Jackson, MS

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability of finding of no significant impact/
record of decision.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing this 
notice to advise the public that it has issued a Finding of No 
Significant Impact (FONSI)/Record of Decision (ROD) for the 
Environmental Assessment (EA) that evaluated the rehabilitation of an 
existing 5.4-mile service road and construction of two connecting 
service roads at Jackson Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN) 
in Jackson, Mississippi. The FONSI/ROD provides final agency 
determination and approval for those federal actions by the FAA 
necessary to implement the project. The effective date of the FAA's 
determination on the FONSI/ROD is August 30, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Hendry, Community Planner, 
Jackson Airports District Office, 100 West Cross St., Suite B, Jackson, 
MS 39208. Telephone (601) 664-9897.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Jackson Municipal Airport Authority 
(JMAA) has requested financial assistance to rehabilitate an existing 
5.4-mile service road and construction of two connecting service roads. 
Issuing an Airport Improvement Program Grant is considered a Federal 
action and requires and environmental determination by the FAA.
    JMAA has completed an EA for the project known as the 
Rehabilitation of Outer Perimeter Service Road. The project involves 
the rehabilitation an existing 5.4-mile service road as well as 
construction of two connecting service roads that will provide safer 
and more secure access to the service perimeter road of Jackson Medgar 
Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN). The EA was prepared in 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations, 40 Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR) Parts 1500-1508, and FAA Orders 1050.1F and 5050.4B.
    The objective of the EA was to evaluate alternatives that met the 
airport sponsor's purpose and need statement. The airport sponsor's 
purpose and need statement is the rehabilitation of the Perimeter 
Service Road that will enhance the safety and security of the airport 
by rehabilitating the existing perimeter service road inside the 
perimeter fence as well as paving new roadway areas for contiguous 
access. These improvements will provide airport owned and emergency 
vehicle access to all areas of the airfield to support Aircraft Rescue 
and Firefighting (``ARFF'') functions and security patrols performed by 
JMAA's Airport Operations Department staff. Currently, the JAN property 
boundary lacks perimeter service roads in certain areas making access 
for Airport Operations extremely difficult, especially after rainy 
conditions. (See Appendix A--Site Layout Map).
    Two (2) alternatives to the proposed action were examined to 
determine feasibility and ability to meet the purpose and need.
    Alternative 1: Rehabilitate Existing Road with Improved 
Enhancements and Features. This would provide repairs enhancements and 
features to rehabilitate the existing road. This is anticipated to be 
more cost effective than adding the additional roadway. However, only 
rehabilitating the existing road is determined not to meet full purpose 
and need for project with regard to safety and security. Alternative 2: 
No Action: Results in further deterioration of the existing perimeter 
service road. Of the build alternatives proposed, only one 
(Alternatives 1) met the purpose and need statement.
    The EA documents show that the No Action Alternative would not 
satisfy the purpose and need statement.
    As addressed in the EA, Alternative 1 has the potential to affect 
wetland areas on the airport property comprised of frequently to 
periodically mowed herbaceous field. The delineated wetland areas are 
represented within Appendix E of the EA. The Airport will secure the 
necessary construction and other permits required by MDEQ and USACE 
regarding Section 401 water quality certification. Section 404 
permit(s) as administered by the USACE will be secured prior to 
construction. The Preferred Alternative could require an Individual 
Section 404 permit. Refined design will dictate impacts and thus the 
necessary permitting process. Any mitigation for unavoidable impacts 
will occur at a USACE-approved mitigation bank.
    As part of the EA process, the FAA coordinated with the U.S. Army 
Corps. Of Engineers. The project was coordinated with the U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers (USACE) as the key federal agency with jurisdiction 
to define wetlands in the United States. The preferred alternative was 
chosen over the No Action Alternative due to lack of access via the 
service road that would compromise airport safety and accessibility in 
case of emergency and for regular operations. It has been determined 
there will be wetland impacts of 0.52 acres. USACE indicates the 
proposed work will require a permit. Mitigation will be required as 
part of USACE's permitting process. (USACE April 26, 2019 letter 
Appendix E).
    The EA included outreach with other federal, state, and local 
agencies such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Dept. of 
Transporation, and the MS Dept. of Archives and History (State Historic 
Preserviation Office)
    After reviewing the EA, the FAA concluded impacts, with mitigation, 
would be below the level of significance and issued the FONSI/ROD on 
August 30, 2019. The FONSI/ROD presents the FAA's final decision and 
approvals of the actions identified, including those taken under the 
provisions of Title 49 of the United Sates Code, Subtitle VII, Parts A 
and B. These actions constitute a final order of the Administrator 
subject to review by the Court of Appeals of the United States in 
accordance with the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 46110.
    Availability of EA and FONSI/ROD: Copies of the EA and FONSI/ROD 
are available at the locations listed below. The documents are 
available during normal business hours unless otherwise indicated.
    Federal Aviation Administration, Jackson Airports District Office, 
100 West Cross St. Suite B, Jackson, MS 39208.
    * Please call (601) 664-9897 to schedule an appointment to view 
documents at this location.

    Issued in Jackson, MS on August 30, 2019.
Rans Black,
Manager, Jackson Airports District Office.
[FR Doc. 2019-21415 Filed 10-1-19; 8:45 am]
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