[Federal Register: April 27, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 80)]
[Notices]               
[Page 22670]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27ap99-107]


[[Page 22670]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

 
Final Environmental Impact Statement; Colorado Airspace 
Initiative (CAI)

agency: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

action: Notice of Availability and Intent to Adopt the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Colorado Airspace Initiative.

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summary: Notice is hereby given that the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) is recirculating and intends to adopt the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) prepared by the Air National 
Guard (ANG) for the modification of existing, and the establishment of 
new military airspace areas in Colorado, hereinafter known as the 
Colorado Airspace Initiative (CAI). The proposed actions assessed in 
the FEIS are substantially the same as the new military training 
airspace area that the ANG has asked the FAA to designate.

for further information contact: Mr. William J. Marx, Manager, 
Environmental Programs Division (ATA-300), Office of Air Traffic 
Airspace Management, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence 
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20591 (202) 267-9367.

supplementary information: As provided in 40 CFR 1506.3 and FAA Order 
1050.1D, Policies and Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts, 
the FEIS of another Federal Agency may be adopted in accordance with 
the procedures in 40 CFR 1506.3. Under 40 CFR 1506.3(b), if the actions 
covered by an EIS and the actions proposed by another Federal agency 
are substantially the same, the agency adopting another agency's 
statement is not required to recirculate it except as a final 
statement. The FAA has determined that the proposed action of modifying 
existing and establishing new military training airspace areas over the 
State of Colorado is substantially the same as the actions considered 
in the ANG's FEIS. FAA staff has independently reviewed the ANG FEIS to 
determine if it is current and that FAA NEPA procedures have been 
satisfied. FAA has determined that the FEIS adequately assesses and 
discloses the potential environmental impacts of the proposed action. 
FAA staff concluded that, after mitigation measures are taken into 
consideration, the existing airspace can be modified and new military 
training airspace can be established with no significant impacts on 
environmental resources.
    The proposal will modify existing and establish new military 
training airspace areas over the State of Colorado. The ANG has 
requested this action to respond to changes in readiness training 
requirements. The requirements are reflected in specific United States 
Air Force regulations for military aircraft and personnel operating in 
the affected airspace. Additionally, this action responds to the 
changes in commercial aircraft arrival and departure corridors required 
for operation of the new Denver International Airport.
    The ANG evaluated the environmental impacts of the CAI in its 
document, Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Colorado 
Airspace Initiative, August 1997 (FEIS). The preferred alternative was 
also the environmentally preferred alternative in the FEIS. The 
preferred alternative was modified in response to concerns raised by 
private citizens, government agencies, and various public interest 
groups. The ANG changed its proposal to narrow the widths of portions 
of corridors of four military training routes and withdrew one route. 
Subsequently, the ANG issued a Record of Decision (ROD) on October 28, 
1997, approving the preferred alternative as modified. The ANG then 
submitted the FEIS to the FAA with its application for airspace 
approval.
    In furtherance of CEQ regulations, in addition to the executive 
summary of the ANG FEIS, the FAA is recirculating the following 
information: (1) The ANG's ROD; (2) a summary of public comments 
submitted during the aeronautical review and responses to the comments; 
and (3) a summary of the refinements the ANG made in the ROD to the 
preferred alternative after the ANG FEIS was issued.
    Any person may obtain a copy of the ANG FEIS, ROD and the above-
reference information by submitting a request to: Air National Guard 
Readiness Center, Program Manager, CAI EIS, ANGRC/CEVP, 3500 Fetchet 
Avenue, Andrews Air Force Base, MD 20762-5157.
    Written comments may be sent to the address below, and are due by 
Friday, May 28, 1999: Federal Aviation Administration, Environmental 
Programs Division, Air Traffic Airspace Management Program, Attn.: 
Elizabeth Gaffin, rm. 422, 800 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 
20591.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 21, 1999.
William J. Marx,
Manager, Environmental Programs Division.
[FR Doc. 99-10555 Filed 4-26-99; 8:45 am]
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