Notice of the U.S. Air Force Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement and FAA Approval of the Record of Decision for the Realistic Bomber Training Initiative (RBTI), 27622-27623 [07-2394]

Download as PDF 27622 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 94 / Wednesday, May 16, 2007 / Notices other relief as the Department may deem necessary or appropriate. Issued in Washington, DC, or May 7, 2007. Edith V. Parish, Acting Manager, Environmental Programs Group, System Operations Airspace & Aeronautical Information Management, Air Traffic Organization. [FR Doc. 07–2393 Filed 5–15–07; 8:45 am] Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, Federal Register Liaison. [FR Doc. E7–9408 Filed 5–15–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–9X–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of Adoption of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Approval of the FAA Record of Decision (ROD). cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: The FAA is announcing its Adoption of the United States Air Force (USAF) Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the New Mexico Training Range Initiative and approval of the FAA Record of Decision (ROD). The New Mexico Training Range Initiative (NMTRI) is the USAF initiative to create airspace that allows mainly F–16 and aircrews to receive much needed realistic combat training while maximizing their training time. NMTRI includes the Pecos MOA complex. DATES: Effective Date: May 7, 2007. ADDRESSES: Federal Aviation Administration, Central Services Area, System Support Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Nan Terry, Federal Aviation Administration, Central Services Area, System Support Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, (817) 222–5594. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The USAF, lead agency for NMTRI, published availability of the Final EIS on October 20, 2006 in the Federal Register (Volume 71, Number 203, Pages 61967–61968), in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as amended. The determinations on the project are outlined in the FAA’s ROD, which was approved on May 4, 2007. For copies of the USAF Final Environmental Impact Statement, contact: Ms. Sheryl Parker at (757) 764– 9334. A copy of the FAA Adoption and Record of Decision can be obtained by 15:27 May 15, 2007 Jkt 211001 BILLING CODE 4910–13–M DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Notice of Adoption of the U.S. Air Force Final Environmental Impact Statement and Approval of the Federal Aviation Administration Record of Decision for the New Mexico Training Range Initiative (NMTRI) VerDate Aug<31>2005 contacting Ms. Nan Terry in the FOR section above. FURTHER INFORMATION Federal Aviation Administration Notice of the U.S. Air Force Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement and FAA Approval of the Record of Decision for the Realistic Bomber Training Initiative (RBTI) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Adoption of the USAF Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement and Issuance of the FAA Record of Decision (ROD). AGENCY: The FAA is announcing— adoption of the United States Air Force (USAF) Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Realistic Bomber Training Initiative (RBTI), and approval of the FAA Record of Decision (ROD). The USAF proposal was to create airspace that allows B–52 and B–1 aircrews to receive much needed realistic combat training while maximizing their training time. RBTI includes the Lancer Military Operating Area (MOA) and the Instrument Military Training Route 178 (IR–178). EFFECTIVE DATES: April 11, 2007. ADDRESSES: Federal Aviation Administration, Central Services Area, System Support Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, 76137. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Nan Terry, Federal Aviation Administration, Central Services Area, System Support Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd, Fort Worth, Texas, 76137, (817) 222–5594. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Background On December 19, 1997, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for RBTI began with publication of the Notice of Intent (NOI) in the Federal Register. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was published in March 1999 (Volume 64, Number 53). Fifteen public hearings were held in 11 communities. The Final EIS, published and made available to the public in January 2000, identified PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 the USAF preferred alternative as Alternative B. In March 2000, the USAF Deputy Chief of Staff for Air and Space Operations issued its initial Record of Decision (ROD) ((Air Force 2000b)), choosing Alternative B for implementation. They then submitted the formal airspace proposal to establish the Lancher Military Operating Area (MOA) to the FAA in April 2000. After conducting its own independent evaluation of the environmental documentation and completing the aeronautical circularization process, the FAA adopted the Final EIS and gave final approval for the RBTI airspace on December 11, 2001, with an effective date of February 21, 2002. The USAF and FAA were sued by parties alleging, among other things that there was a failure to comply with NEPA. In March 2003, the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, Lubbock Division, granted summary judgment in favor of the United States. The plaintiffs appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. One of the plaintiffs also filed a separate petition in the Fifth Circuit alleging that the FAA had failed to comply with NEPA in approving the RBTI airspace. In a single opinion covering both the USAF and FAA cases, the Court of Appeals (October 2004) upheld the adequacy of the Final EIS in most respects, but remanded the action to the USAF and FAA to prepare a Supplemental EIS (SEIS) addressing the impact of wake vortices on ground structures, and to the USAF for compliance with the Council on Environmental Quality and USAF internal requirements for addressing FAA comments. Public Involvement Pertaining to the SEIS The Air Force, in cooperation with the FAA, published a Notice of Availability for the Draft Supplemental EIS in the Federal Register on November 18, 2005 marking the beginning of the official comment period. Between December 5, 2005 and January 28, 2006, the Air Force and FAA conducted a total of five public hearings at locations in the proximity of the proposed action and alternatives. Lubbock, Texas was added as the fifth public hearing location based on requests from interested citizens. Notice of Availability of the Final SEIS appeared in the Federal Register on August 11, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 155) with a comment period of thirty-one (31) days. Additional information regarding the public E:\FR\FM\16MYN1.SGM 16MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 94 / Wednesday, May 16, 2007 / Notices involvement process can be found in the USAF ROD dated March 20, 2007. Abilene Public Library .................................. Alpine Public Library .................................... Amarillo Public library .................................. Stonewall County Library ............................ Reagan County ............................................ Howard County ............................................ Crane County Library .................................. Dallam County Library ................................. Jeff Davis County Library ............................ Ft. Stockton Public Library .......................... Kent County Library ..................................... Winkler County Library ................................ Dawson Co. Public Library .......................... Lubbock Library ........................................... Marfa City Municipal Library ........................ Irion County Library ..................................... Ward County Library ................................... Ector County Library .................................... Reeves County Library ................................ Post Public Library ...................................... City of Presidio Library ................................ Rankin Public Library .................................. Rotan Public Library .................................... Tom Green County System ......................... Sierra Blanca Public Library ........................ Scurry County Public Library ....................... Sterling County Public Library ..................... Taos Public Library ...................................... City-County Library ...................................... Van Horn Library ......................................... Copies of the Final SEIS can be received by contacting Ms. Sheryl Parker at (757) 764–9334. The document 202 Cedar St. .............................................. 203 N. 7th St. .............................................. P.O. Box 2171 ............................................. P.O. Box H .................................................. County Courthouse ..................................... 312 Scurry St. ............................................. 701 S. Alford St. .......................................... 420 Denrock Ave. ........................................ Court and Main Streets ............................... 400 N. Water ............................................... P.O. Box 28 ................................................. 307 S. Poplar .............................................. P.O. Box 1264 ............................................. 1306 9th St. ................................................. P.O. Drawer U ............................................. P.O. Box 766 ............................................... 409 S. Dwight St. ........................................ 321 W. 5th St. ............................................. 505 S. Park St. ............................................ 105 E. Main St. ........................................... P.O. Box K .................................................. P.O. Box 6 ................................................... 404 E. Snyder Ave. ..................................... 113 W. Beauregard Ave. ............................. Sierra Blanca ............................................... 1916 23rd St. ............................................... P.O. Box 1130 ............................................. 402 Camino de la Placita ............................ Box 1018 ..................................................... P.O. Box 129 ............................................... Mission Avenue Interchange on State Route 99 and extending north on new alignment to Yosemite Avenue, south and east of the City of Merced in Merced County, State of California. These actions grant approvals for the project. Issued in Washington, DC, on May 7, 2007. Edith V. Parish, Acting Manager, Environmental Programs Group, System Operations Airspace & Aeronautical Information Management, Air Traffic Organization. [FR Doc. 07–2394 Filed 5–15–07; 8:45am] DATES: BILLING CODE 4910–13–M DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES Notice of Limitation on Claims for the Campus Parkway By this notice, the FHWA is advising the public of final agency actions subject to 23 U.S.C. 139(I)(1). A claim seeking judicial review of the Federal agency actions on the expressway project will be barred unless the claim is filed on or before November 13, 2007. If the Federal law that authorizes judicial review of a claim provides a time period of less than 180 days for filing such claim, then that shorter time period still applies. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edrie Vinson, Senior Environmental Specialist, Federal Highway Administration, 650 Capitol Mall, Suite AGENCY: Federal Highway 4–100, Sacramento, CA 95814, Administration (FWHA), DOT. weekdays between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. ACTION: Notice of Limitation on Claims for Judicial Review of Actions by FHWA (Pacific Time), telephone (916) 498– 5852, e-mail: edrie.vinson@fhwa.dot.gov and other Federal Agencies. or Kim Turner, Wildlife Biologist, SUMMARY: This notice announces actions Endangered Species Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2800 Cottage Way taken by FHWA and other Federal W–2605, Sacramento, CA 95825, agencies that are final within the telephone (916) 414–6577, e-mail: meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(I)(1). These actions relate to a proposed 7.25 km (4.5 kim_s_turner@fws.gov. Margaret mile) Campus Parkway, which would be Lawrence, Senior Environmental a four-lane expressway beginning at the Planner, California Department of VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:27 May 15, 2007 Jkt 211001 PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 is also available for review, during normal business hours, at the following locations: Abilene, TX .................................................. Alpine, TX .................................................... Amarillo, TX ................................................. Aspermont, TX ............................................ Big Lake, TX ................................................ Big Spring, TX ............................................. Crane, TX .................................................... Dalhart, TX .................................................. Ft. Davis, TX ............................................... Ft. Stockton, TX .......................................... Jayton, TX ................................................... Kermit, TX ................................................... Lamesa, TX ................................................. Lubbock, TX ................................................ Marfa, TX ..................................................... Merzton, TX ................................................. Monahans, TX ............................................. Odessa, TX ................................................. Pecos, TX .................................................... Post, TX ....................................................... Presidio, TX ................................................. Rankin, TX ................................................... Rotan, TX .................................................... San Angelo, TX ........................................... Sierra Blanca, TX ........................................ Snyder, TX .................................................. Sterling City, TX .......................................... Taos, NM ..................................................... Tahoka, TX .................................................. Van Horn, TX .............................................. The FAA’s determinations on the project are outlined in the FAA ROD, which was approved on April 11, 2007. A copy of the ROD can be received by contacting Ms. Nan Terry, in the For Further Information Section above. 27623 79601 79830 79189 79502 76932 79720 79731 79022 79734 79735 79258 79745 79331 79401 79845 76941 79756 79761 79772 79356 79845 79778 79546 76903 79851 79549 76951 87571 79373 79855 Transportation, 1976 East Charter Way, Stockton, CA 95201, telephone (209) 948–7427, e-mail: margaret_lawrence@dot.ca.gov or Steve Rough, Project Manager, Merced County, 345 West 7th Street, Merced, CA 95340, telephone (209) 385–7601, e-mail: SRough@co.merced.ca.us. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby given that the FHWA and other Federal agencies have taken final agency actions subject to 23 U.S.C. 139(I)(1) by issuing approvals for the following expressway project in the State of California: Campus Parkway between the Mission Avenue Interchange on State Route 99 in Merced County. This project would improve existing and future circulation east of the City of Merced and provide access to planned developments north and east of the city as well as the first phase of the Merced Campus of the University of California. This would be accomplished by constructing a four-lane expressway south and east of the City of Merced, in Merced County, from the Mission Avenue Interchange at State Route 99 north to Yosemite Avenue northeast of the city. The actions by the Federal agencies and the laws under which such actions were taken are described in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the project, approved on November E:\FR\FM\16MYN1.SGM 16MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 94 (Wednesday, May 16, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27622-27623]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-2394]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of the U.S. Air Force Supplemental Final Environmental 
Impact Statement and FAA Approval of the Record of Decision for the 
Realistic Bomber Training Initiative (RBTI)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Adoption of the USAF Supplemental Final Environmental Impact 
Statement and Issuance of the FAA Record of Decision (ROD).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is announcing--adoption of the United States Air Force 
(USAF) Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the 
Realistic Bomber Training Initiative (RBTI), and approval of the FAA 
Record of Decision (ROD). The USAF proposal was to create airspace that 
allows B-52 and B-1 aircrews to receive much needed realistic combat 
training while maximizing their training time. RBTI includes the Lancer 
Military Operating Area (MOA) and the Instrument Military Training 
Route 178 (IR-178).

EFFECTIVE DATES: April 11, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Federal Aviation Administration, Central Services Area, 
System Support Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, 76137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Nan Terry, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Central Services Area, System Support Group, 2601 
Meacham Blvd, Fort Worth, Texas, 76137, (817) 222-5594.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On December 19, 1997, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
process for RBTI began with publication of the Notice of Intent (NOI) 
in the Federal Register. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
was published in March 1999 (Volume 64, Number 53). Fifteen public 
hearings were held in 11 communities. The Final EIS, published and made 
available to the public in January 2000, identified the USAF preferred 
alternative as Alternative B.
    In March 2000, the USAF Deputy Chief of Staff for Air and Space 
Operations issued its initial Record of Decision (ROD) ((Air Force 
2000b)), choosing Alternative B for implementation. They then submitted 
the formal airspace proposal to establish the Lancher Military 
Operating Area (MOA) to the FAA in April 2000. After conducting its own 
independent evaluation of the environmental documentation and 
completing the aeronautical circularization process, the FAA adopted 
the Final EIS and gave final approval for the RBTI airspace on December 
11, 2001, with an effective date of February 21, 2002.
    The USAF and FAA were sued by parties alleging, among other things 
that there was a failure to comply with NEPA. In March 2003, the U.S. 
District Court, Northern District of Texas, Lubbock Division, granted 
summary judgment in favor of the United States. The plaintiffs appealed 
to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. One of the 
plaintiffs also filed a separate petition in the Fifth Circuit alleging 
that the FAA had failed to comply with NEPA in approving the RBTI 
airspace. In a single opinion covering both the USAF and FAA cases, the 
Court of Appeals (October 2004) upheld the adequacy of the Final EIS in 
most respects, but remanded the action to the USAF and FAA to prepare a 
Supplemental EIS (SEIS) addressing the impact of wake vortices on 
ground structures, and to the USAF for compliance with the Council on 
Environmental Quality and USAF internal requirements for addressing FAA 
comments.

Public Involvement Pertaining to the SEIS

    The Air Force, in cooperation with the FAA, published a Notice of 
Availability for the Draft Supplemental EIS in the Federal Register on 
November 18, 2005 marking the beginning of the official comment period. 
Between December 5, 2005 and January 28, 2006, the Air Force and FAA 
conducted a total of five public hearings at locations in the proximity 
of the proposed action and alternatives. Lubbock, Texas was added as 
the fifth public hearing location based on requests from interested 
citizens.
    Notice of Availability of the Final SEIS appeared in the Federal 
Register on August 11, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 155) with a comment 
period of thirty-one (31) days. Additional information regarding the 
public

[[Page 27623]]

involvement process can be found in the USAF ROD dated March 20, 2007.
    Copies of the Final SEIS can be received by contacting Ms. Sheryl 
Parker at (757) 764-9334. The document is also available for review, 
during normal business hours, at the following locations:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abilene Public Library.......  202 Cedar St...  Abilene, TX....    79601
Alpine Public Library........  203 N. 7th St..  Alpine, TX.....    79830
Amarillo Public library......  P.O. Box 2171..  Amarillo, TX...    79189
Stonewall County Library.....  P.O. Box H.....  Aspermont, TX..    79502
Reagan County................  County           Big Lake, TX...    76932
                                Courthouse.
Howard County................  312 Scurry St..  Big Spring, TX.    79720
Crane County Library.........  701 S. Alford    Crane, TX......    79731
                                St..
Dallam County Library........  420 Denrock      Dalhart, TX....    79022
                                Ave..
Jeff Davis County Library....  Court and Main   Ft. Davis, TX..    79734
                                Streets.
Ft. Stockton Public Library..  400 N. Water...  Ft. Stockton,      79735
                                                 TX.
Kent County Library..........  P.O. Box 28....  Jayton, TX.....    79258
Winkler County Library.......  307 S. Poplar..  Kermit, TX.....    79745
Dawson Co. Public Library....  P.O. Box 1264..  Lamesa, TX.....    79331
Lubbock Library..............  1306 9th St....  Lubbock, TX....    79401
Marfa City Municipal Library.  P.O. Drawer U..  Marfa, TX......    79845
Irion County Library.........  P.O. Box 766...  Merzton, TX....    76941
Ward County Library..........  409 S. Dwight    Monahans, TX...    79756
                                St..
Ector County Library.........  321 W. 5th St..  Odessa, TX.....    79761
Reeves County Library........  505 S. Park St.  Pecos, TX......    79772
Post Public Library..........  105 E. Main St.  Post, TX.......    79356
City of Presidio Library.....  P.O. Box K.....  Presidio, TX...    79845
Rankin Public Library........  P.O. Box 6.....  Rankin, TX.....    79778
Rotan Public Library.........  404 E. Snyder    Rotan, TX......    79546
                                Ave..
Tom Green County System......  113 W.           San Angelo, TX.    76903
                                Beauregard
                                Ave..
Sierra Blanca Public Library.  Sierra Blanca..  Sierra Blanca,     79851
                                                 TX.
Scurry County Public Library.  1916 23rd St...  Snyder, TX.....    79549
Sterling County Public         P.O. Box 1130..  Sterling City,     76951
 Library.                                        TX.
Taos Public Library..........  402 Camino de    Taos, NM.......    87571
                                la Placita.
City-County Library..........  Box 1018.......  Tahoka, TX.....    79373
Van Horn Library.............  P.O. Box 129...  Van Horn, TX...    79855
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA's determinations on the project are outlined in the FAA 
ROD, which was approved on April 11, 2007. A copy of the ROD can be 
received by contacting Ms. Nan Terry, in the For Further Information 
Section above.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 7, 2007.
Edith V. Parish,
Acting Manager, Environmental Programs Group, System Operations 
Airspace & Aeronautical Information Management, Air Traffic 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 07-2394 Filed 5-15-07; 8:45am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M

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