2018-11202. Notice of Additional Public Comment Period-Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Proposed Capacity Enhancements and Other Improvements at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Charlotte, Mecklenburg ...

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION:

Notice of additional 45-day public comment period, and correction of the previous email address for submission of public and agency comments for the Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, NC.

SUMMARY:

This Notice provides an additional 45-day public comment period, and correction of the previous incorrect email address for submission of public and agency comments. The previous email address, [e-mail] was incorrect. All agency and public comments should be submitted to the correct email address, [e-mail]. The FAA requests that all submissions to the previous incorrect email address be resubmitted to the new address. This Notice also provides information to Federal, state, and local agencies; Native American tribes; and other interested persons regarding the FAA's intent to prepare an EIS to evaluate the potential impacts of the City of Charlotte Aviation Department proposal to construct capacity enhancements and other improvements at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, NC. The Department has initially identified the following four main elements of the Proposed Action: (1) Fourth Parallel Runway 1-19 and End-Around Taxiways; (2) Concourse B and Ramp Expansion; (3) Concourse C and Ramp Expansion; and (4) Daily North Parking Deck. The EIS will evaluate the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts that may result from the Proposed Action, including related activities and actions connected to the Proposed Action.

The FAA is the lead agency for the preparation of the EIS. Cooperating Agencies will be identified during the process. The FAA intends to use the preparation of this EIS to comply with other applicable environmental laws and regulations as identified through the environmental analysis. The FAA will provide more specific public notice of the environmental laws, regulations and executive orders being satisfied through the EIS as the environmental consequences of the proposed project and its alternatives are better understood.

DATES:

The FAA invites interested agencies, organizations, Native American tribes, and members of the public to submit comments or suggestions to assist in identifying significant environmental issues and in determining the appropriate scope of the EIS. The additional 45 day public comment period starts with the publication of this Notice in the Federal Register. Comments must be received by July 9, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

Comments, statements, or questions concerning the EIS scope or process should be mailed to: Mr. Tommy L. Dupree, Assistant Manager, FAA, Memphis Airports District Office, 2600 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Suite 2250, Memphis, TN 38118. Comments can also be sent by email to [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The purpose of this notice is to inform Federal, state and local government agencies and the public of the additional 45-day public comment period, correction of a previous incorrect email address, and the FAA's intent to prepare an EIS. Information, data, opinions and comments obtained will be considered in preparing the draft EIS.

The FAA will prepare the EIS in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 United States Code 4321 et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations parts 1500-1508), FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, and FAA Order 5050.4B, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Implementing Instructions for Airport Actions.

The EIS will evaluate the potential impacts of the Department's proposal to construct capacity enhancements and other improvements at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Department has initially identified the following four main elements of the Proposed Action: (1) Fourth Parallel Runway 1-19 and End-Around Taxiways; (2) Concourse B and Ramp Expansion; (3) Concourse C and Ramp Expansion; and (4) Daily North Parking Deck. The Fourth Parallel Runway I-19 and End-around Taxiways would entail construction of an approximately 12,000-foot runway located between existing Runway 18C-36C and Runway 18R-36L, along with associated taxiways (partial north End-Around Taxiway, full south End-Around Taxiway, parallel, high-speed exit and connector taxiways). Construction of the new runway along with terminal and ramp expansion projects would require the decommissioning of Runway 5-23 and relocation of West Boulevard. The Concourse B and Ramp Expansion would entail extending Concourse B to the west, creating 10-12 additional gates. The Concourse C and Ramp Expansion would entail extending Concourse C to the east, creating 10-12 additional gates. The Daily North Parking Deck would entail construction of a parking deck north of passenger terminal parking facilities.

Within the EIS, the FAA proposes to consider a range of reasonable alternatives that could potentially meet the purpose and need for the project being proposed at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The EIS will include the evaluation of a No Action Alternative and other reasonable alternatives that may be identified, such as use of other airports or other modes of transportation, during the NEPA process.

The potential environmental impacts of all proposed construction and operational activities will be analyzed in the EIS. The EIS will evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with air quality; biological resources (including fish, wildlife, and plants); climate; properties protected under 49 U.S.C. 303(c), known as “Section 4(f)” of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 (including publicly owned parks, recreational areas, wildlife and waterfowl refuges, and public and private historic sites); farmlands; ground transportation; hazardous materials, solid waste, and pollution prevention; historical, architectural, archeological, and cultural resources; land use; natural resources and energy supply; noise and noise-compatible land use; socioeconomics, environmental justice, and children's health and safety risks; visual effects; water resources (including wetlands, floodplains, surface waters, groundwater, and Wild and Scenic rivers). This analysis will include an evaluation of potential direct and indirect impacts, and will account for cumulative impacts from other relevant activities in the vicinity of the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

More information on the Proposed Action and the NEPA process is available on the project website at: www.clteis.com.

Tommy L. Dupree,

Acting Manager, Memphis Airports District Office, Southern Region.