[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 67 (Friday, April 5, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15331-15332]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8503]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Proposed Airspace Reclassification in the Vicinity of Bellingham,
WA, in Support of Transport Canada Terminal Airspace Design; Public
Meeting
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of Public meeting.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice announces an informal airspace meeting to discuss
a request from Transport Canada (TC) that the FAA reclassify United
States airspace in the vicinity of the San Juan Islands and Bellingham,
WA, in support of the Vancouver International Airport terminal airspace
design. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss TC's request and FAA
considerations regarding the safety of air traffic in the affected
airspace. Additionally, the FAA plans to give interested persons the
opportunity to present views, recommendations, and comments concerning
TC's request.
DATES: The meeting will be held on Monday, May 6, 1996, from 7:00 p.m.
to 10:00 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Friday Harbor High School
(Cafeteria), 45 Blair Street, Friday Harbor, WA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melodie DeMarr, Air Traffic Division,
ANM-530, Northwest Mountain Regional Office, telephone: (206) 227-2547,
fax: (206) 227-1534.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On September 2, 1993, TC requested that the FAA take action to
redesignate the Lower Mainland Airspace between Vancouver and Seattle
to complement the adjacent Canadian airspace. TC requested that the
airspace be reclassified in time to coincide with the
[[Page 15332]]
opening of the new parallel Runway 08L-26R at Vancouver International.
On March 22, 1995, the FAA published Notices of Public Meetings to
announce two informal airspace meetings to solicit information, from
airspace users and others, concerning the TC request to reclassify U.S.
airspace in the vicinity of the San Juan Islands and Bellingham, WA, as
Class C airspace (60 FR 15172). The informal airspace meetings were
held on May 9-10, 1995. Over 300 comments were received opposing the
proposal. After a review of the comments and consultation with TC's
user community, the FAA suggested that the airspace request be
modified. TC has now modified its original request. Specifically, the
request is for the FAA to consider adopting Class C airspace in the
vicinity of Bellingham, WA, to support the new Vancouver-Victoria
terminal airspace design adjacent to U.S. airspace from 2,500 feet MSL
to 12,500 feet MSL within a 16-nautical-mile arc of the Vancouver VOR;
and the Abbotsford British Columbia Approach area to become Class D
airspace from above 1,500 feet MSL to 2,500 feet MSL and Class C
airspace from above 2,500 feet MSL to 12,500 feet MSL. This modified
request will be discussed at this public meeting.
Meeting Procedures
The following procedures are established to facilitate the meeting:
(1) There will be no admission fee or other charge to attend or to
participate in the meeting. The meeting will be open to all persons
subject to availability of space in the meeting room. Those who would
like to present statements should register with Melodie DeMarr at least
30 minutes prior to the beginning of the public meeting.
(2) The meeting may adjourn early if scheduled speakers complete
their statements in less time than currently is scheduled for the
meeting.
(3) An individual, whether speaking in a personal or a
representative capacity on behalf of an organization, may be limited to
a 10-minute statement. If possible, we will notify the speaker if
additional time is available.
(4) The FAA will try to accommodate all speakers. If the available
time does not permit this, speakers generally will be scheduled on a
first-come, first-served basis. However, the FAA reserves the right to
exclude some speakers, if necessary, to present a balance of viewpoints
and issues.
(5) Representatives of the FAA will preside over the meeting. A
panel of FAA personnel involved in this issue will be present.
(6) Position papers or material presenting views or information
relating to the substance of the meeting will be accepted at the
discretion of the presiding officer and subsequently placed in the
public docket. The FAA requests that persons participating in the
meeting provide three copies of all materials to be presented for
distribution to the panel members; other copies may be provided to the
audience at the discretion of the participant.
(7) Statements made by members of the meeting panel are intended to
facilitate discussion of the issues or to clarify issues. Any statement
made during the meeting by a member of the panel is not intended to be,
and should not be construed as, a position of the FAA.
(8) The meeting is designed to solicit public views and more
complete information on the subject airspace issue. Therefore, the
meeting will be conducted in an informal and nonadversarial manner. No
individual will be subject to cross-examination by any other
participant; however, panel members may ask questions to clarify a
statement and to ensure a complete and accurate record.
(9) The meeting will not be formally recorded. However, a summary
of the comments made at this meeting will be filed in the docket.
Agenda for Each Meeting
--Opening Remarks and Discussion of Meeting Procedures
--Briefing on Background for TC Request and Subsequent FAA Findings
--Public Presentations
--Closing Comments
Issued in Washington, DC, on March 29, 1996.
Nancy B. Kalinowski,
Acting Manager, Airspace-Rules and Aeronautical Information Division.
[FR Doc. 96-8503 Filed 4-4-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
