[Federal Register: November 7, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 216)]
[Notices]
[Page 67891-67892]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07no02-101]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Extension of Scoping Comment Period, Until December 9, 2002, on
the Notice of Intent To Prepare Draft and Final Environmental Impact
Statements for a Replacement Airport at St. George, UT
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 67892]]
The Northwest Mountain Region, Airports Division, Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), announces it has extended, until December 9,
2002, the scoping comment period pertaining the FAA Notice of Intent to
prepare Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for the
construction of a replacement airport at St. George, Utah.
Background
On January 30, 2001, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
issued a Record of Decision/Finding of No Significant Impact document
for the construction of a replacement airport at St. George, Utah. On
December 22, 2001, the Grand Canyon Trust filed suit against the FAA in
the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
On May 24, 2002, the court issued it's decision on the issues. In
summary, the court found that ``the FAA must evaluate the cumulative
impact of noise pollution of the Park (Zion National Park) as a result
of construction of the proposed replacement airport in light of air
traffic near and over the Park, from whatever airport, air tours near
or in the Park, and the acoustical data collected by the NPS in the
Park in 1995 and 1998 mentioned in comments on the draft Environmental
Assessment (EA)''. The court remanded the case [to the FAA] ``because
the record is insufficient for the court to determine whether an EIS is
required''.
The purpose of the Draft and final EIS's will be to address the
court's issues and any other environmental issues that have changed
since issuance of the final environmental assessment in January of
2001.
In previously issued notices (Federal Register and The Specturm
Newspaper, St. George, Utah) some misunderstanding may have existed
regarding the use of the word ``Park'' in the Background text. This
notice clarifies that the Park in question is Zion National Park.
Further, the FAA has extended the scoping comment period until December
9, 2002, to insure an adequate comment period with a clear
understanding that the ``Park'' is Zion National Park.
Proposed Action and Alternatives
The proposed action is the construction of a replacement airport at
St. George, Utah. Alternatives to be evaluated include:
a. No-Build (continue using the existing airport as is).
b. Build a replacement airport at the preferred site (which is a
combination of alternative sites 1 and 1A), and
c. Alternative sites 1, 1A, and 2 as described on pages 32-40 of
the final EA.
Scoping Process
The proposed action was the subject of a Final Environmental
Assessment (FEA) report prepared in January 2001. Persons wishing to
review the FEA in order to better understand the proposed action or
provide comments regarding environmental concerns may review the FEA at
the following locations:
Federal Aviation Administration, Airports Division, ANM-600, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington, 98055-4056.
Denver Airports District Office, 26805 E. 68th Ave., Suite 224, Denver,
CO 80249-6361.
City of St. George, Public Works Office, 175 East 200 North, St.
George, UT 84770.
Washington County Library, St. George Branch, 50 S. Main, St. George,
Utah.
In order to insure that all significant issues related to the
proposed action are identified and given consideration, letters
containing environmental concerns must be received by Dennis Ossenkop,
1601 Lind Ave. SW., Suite 315, Renton, WA 98055-4056 by December 9,
2002.
Release of Draft EIS
Approximate Release of Draft EIS: Unknown at this time.
Point of Contact for Information
Dennis Ossenkop, 1601 Lind Ave. SW., Suite 315, Renton, WA 98055-
4056, Telephone: 425 227 2611.
Dated: October 29, 2002.
Lowell H. Johnson,
Manager, Airports Division, Northwest Mountain Region.
[FR Doc. 02-28377 Filed 11-6-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M