[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 77 (Wednesday, April 22, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19996-19997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10682]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Notice of Agency and Public Scoping for Cal Black Memorial
Airport Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation.
ACTION: Notice of public and agency scoping.
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SUMMARY: The Northwest Mountain Region of the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) as lead and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
and National Park Service (NPS) as cooperating agencies announce that
the FAA intends to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) to address issues arising from the 1993 10th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals Decision concerning the closure of Halls Crossing
Airport and the development of Cal Black Memorial Airport. To ensure
that all significant issues related to the action are identified,
additional scoping comments are requested.
DATE AND ADDRESS FOR COMMENTS: Scoping was conducted in 1990 concerning
the development of this replacement airport and the transfer of land
from the BLM to San Juan County. Subsequent to the 1993, 10th Circuit
Court Decision additional scoping was conducted in 1995 and 1997.
Additional scoping is being conducted prior to initiating the Draft
Supplemental EIS. The FAA has prepared a scoping document that is
available by contacting the FAA or by accessing the Internet site at
``http:/www.airportnetwork.com/U96''.
Send comments to, or seek additional information from, the
responsible Federal official: Mr. Craig Sparks, Denver Airports
District Office, Federal Aviation Administration, 26805 East 68th
Street, Suite 224, Denver, Colorado 80249-6361. To be considered,
written comments must be received on or before May 18, 1998. Comments
may also be submitted through the project web site, which may be
accessed at: ``http:/www.airportnetwork.com/U96''.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Halls Crossing Airport was located within
the boundary of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, a unit of the
NPS. Due to safety issues with this airport, an EIS was undertaken
concerning the development of a replacement airport. In 1990, the FAA
issued a Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statement for the
development of a replacement Airport, in cooperation with the BLM and
NPS. In August 1990, the FAA issued a record of decision approving the
development of Cal Black Memorial Airport and conveying the land from
BLM to San Juan County. In reaching its approval, the FAA determined
that no significant impacts would result from the new airport to the
recreational experience of visitors to the recreational area.
In 1990, the National Parks and Conservation Association (NPCA), et
al brought suit against the FAA concerning the adequacy of the EIS and
the adequacy of the BLM Plan Amendment and land transfer process. In
its July 7, 1993, decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit,
remanded the EIS decision back to the FAA for further environmental
analysis of aircraft noise impacts to the recreational use of public
lands and the BLM's plan amendment and transfer of land.
[[Page 19997]]
Thus, the purpose of the Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement is to address the requirements of the U.S. Court of Appeals
findings. The scope of the EIS will include: (1) The identification of
a threshold of significant aircraft noise impact, (2) the measurement
of actual aircraft noise levels, (3) the survey of visitors to the Glen
Canyon National Recreational Area, (4) the evaluation of existing and
future aircraft noise levels; and (5) if significant impacts are
identified, the evaluation of alternative means of mitigating the
significant impact. In addition, the Supplemental EIS will review the
BLM plan amendment and transfer of land issues.
The National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management will
continue to serve as cooperating agencies in preparing the Supplemental
EIS.
Issued in Renton, Washington on April 15, 1998.
David A. Field,
Manager, Planning, Programming, and Capacity Branch, Northwest Mountain
Region.
[FR Doc. 98-10682 Filed 4-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M
