Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston, TX and To Conduct Public Scoping Meetings, 16255-16256 [E9-7693]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 67 / Thursday, April 9, 2009 / Notices For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.48 Florence E. Harmon, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. E9–8001 Filed 4–8–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010–01–P DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 6573] Fine Arts Committee Notice of Meeting The Fine Arts Committee of the Department of State will meet on April 30, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. in the Henry Clay Room of the Harry S. Truman Building, 2201 C Street, NW., Washington, DC. The meeting will last until approximately 3 p.m. and is open to the public. The agenda for the committee meeting will include a summary of the work of the Fine Arts Office since its last meeting on November 13, 2008 and the announcement of gifts and loans of furnishings as well as financial contributions from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008. Public access to the Department of State is strictly controlled and space is limited. Members of the public wishing to take part in the meeting should telephone the Fine Arts Office at (202) 647–1990 or send an e-mail to BurdenVK@State.gov by April 23 to make arrangements to enter the building. The public may take part in the discussion as long as time permits and at the discretion of the chairman. Dated: March 2, 2009. Marcee Craighill, Secretary, Fine Arts Committee, Department of State. [FR Doc. E9–8121 Filed 4–8–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–35–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration dwashington3 on PROD1PC60 with NOTICES Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston, TX and To Conduct Public Scoping Meetings AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) and to conduct public scoping meetings. 48 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:28 Apr 08, 2009 Jkt 217001 SUMMARY: The FAA is issuing this Notice of Intent to advise the public that the FAA will prepare an EIS under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended. The EIS will address proposed improvements to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAN). The Houston Airport System (HAS), the sponsor of the project, completed an Airport Master Plan (AMP) for IAN in 2006. The AMP showed that additional airfield capacity was needed. Airfield improvements including additional runway(s) were recommended to meet future capacity and reduce projected delays at IAH. Based on analysis presented in the AMP, FAA concurred that additional capacity was needed to meet forecast demand and began the EIS process. One of the first tasks in the process was to update the aviation forecast because of the decline in aviation operations since the AMP was completed. An updated forecast of aircraft operations was completed and reconfirmed the need to provide for additional capacity at IAH. The EIS will document the purpose and need for the proposed improvements as well as analyze a range of alternatives such as use of other modes of transportation or airports, construction of airfield improvements and as required by NEPA, the no action alternative. It is anticipated that the focus of the analysis will be on airfield improvement alternatives including: altering runway use and/or constructing taxiways; constructing a new runway between Runways 8L/26R and 8R/26L; and constructing a new runway south of Runway 9/27. To comply with NEPA, the FAA must also evaluate the potential environmental impacts of each of the reasonable alternatives such as and not limited to: noise impacts, impacts on air and water quality, wetlands, fish, wildlife, plants, floodplains, historic resources, hazardous wastes, socioeconomics, and economic factors. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Federal Aviation Administration, Airports Division, Attn: Paul Blackford, ASW–652B, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 76137, E-mail: pblackford.faa@iah-eis.org, Phone: 817– 222–5607. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this notice is to inform federal, state, and local government agencies and the public, of FAA’s intent to prepare an EIS and to conduct a public and agency scoping process. Information, data, opinions, and comments obtained throughout the scoping process will be considered in PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 16255 the preparation of the draft EIS. The scoping process for this EIS will include a comment period for interested agencies and parties to submit oral and/ or written comments representing the concerns and issues they believe the EIS should address. Scoping Meetings: The purpose of the scoping meetings is to receive input from the public and agencies regarding the scope and process related to the EIS. Comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties to ensure that issues and concerns related to the proposed action and its alternatives are addressed. Public and agency scoping meetings will be conducted to encourage submittal of comments to the FAA. Public scoping meetings will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on May 12, 2009, at the Humble Civic Center and May 14, 2009, at the Nimitz High School. Each meeting will include an introductory presentation, exhibits for team members to further explain the project and process, and opportunities to submit oral or written comments. To notify the general public of the scoping process, a legal notice will be placed in newspapers having general circulation in the study area. The newspaper notice will notify the public that scoping meetings will be held to gain public input concerning the proposed action, alternatives to be considered, and environmental impacts to be evaluated. The notice will also identify where the scoping package will be available for review. An agency scoping meeting for all federal, state, and local regulatory agencies which have jurisdiction by law or have special expertise with respect to any potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed action will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on May 12, 2009 at the Humble Civic Center. A notification letter along with a scoping package will be sent in advance of those meetings. The Scoping Meetings provide the first major opportunity for gathering comments from agency representatives and the general public. Comments received at the meetings, or by mail, email and via the Web site (https:// www.iah-eis.org) by June 15, 2009, will be included in the Scoping Report and considered for inclusion in the EIS. The Final Scoping Report will be made available to the public on the Web site. In addition to preparing the EIS to fulfill the requirements of NEPA, the FAA will prepare the EIS in order to comply with other applicable laws having public involvement requirements. Comments addressing other applicable laws should be E:\FR\FM\09APN1.SGM 09APN1 16256 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 67 / Thursday, April 9, 2009 / Notices submitted to the listed contact person. Further information about the EIS and the proposed action will be posted when available at https://www.iaheis.org. Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 30, 2009. Mike Nicely, Acting Manager, Airports Division. [FR Doc. E9–7693 Filed 4–8–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–M DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration Notice of Final Federal Agency Actions on Proposed Highway in California dwashington3 on PROD1PC60 with NOTICES AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of Limitation on Claims for Judicial Review of Actions by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). SUMMARY: The FHWA, on behalf of Caltrans, is issuing this notice to announce actions taken by Caltrans and USFWS that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to a proposed highway project (US 101) and local road extension (Union Valley Parkway), in the community of Orcutt and City of Santa Maria in the County of Santa Barbara, State of California. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project. DATES: By this notice, the FHWA, on behalf of Caltrans, is advising the public of final agency actions subject to 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). A claim seeking judicial review of the Federal agency actions on the highway project will be barred unless the claim is filed on or before October 6, 2009. 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: For Caltrans: Matt Fowler, Chief, Environmental Branch, Caltrans, 50 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (805) 542–4603 or matt_c_fowler@dot.ca.gov. For USFWS: Steve Kirkland, USFWS, 2493 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA 93003 Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (805) 644–1766 or steve_kirkland@fws.gov. Effective July 1, 2007, the Federal Highway SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:28 Apr 08, 2009 Jkt 217001 Administration (FHWA) assigned, and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) assumed, environmental responsibilities for this project pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327. Notice is hereby given that the Caltrans and USFWS have taken final agency actions subject to 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1) by issuing licenses, permits, and approvals for the following highway project in the State of California: The project is located in the County of Santa Barbara in the community of Orcutt. The project includes the extension of Union Valley Parkway west over a 1.6-mile segment between Hummel Drive on the east and Blosser Road on the west, and the extension of Union Valley Parkway east to intersect with Highway 101 by constructing an overcrossing with northand southbound freeway ramps. Construction of the interchange portion of the project will occur between Post Mile 83.1 and 83.9 on Highway 101. The project purpose is to provide a major arterial and improved access to Highway 101 for the movement of people and goods through the Santa Maria-Orcutt area. The actions by the Federal agencies, and the laws under which such actions were taken, are described in the Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact (EA/FONSI) for the project, approved on March 5, 2009 and in other documents in the FHWA project records. The EA/FONSI and other project records are available by contacting Caltrans at the addresses provided above. The Caltrans EA/FONSI can be viewed and downloaded from the project web site at https:// www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/projects/sb_uvp/ index.html, or viewed at public libraries in the project area. The USFWS decision and Section 7 Consultation are available by contacting USFWS at the address provided above. This notice applies to all Federal agency decisions as of the issuance date of this notice and all laws under which such actions were taken, including but not limited to: 1. General: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) [42 U.S.C. 4321– 4351]; Federal-Aid Highway Act [23 U.S.C. 109]. 2. Air: Clean Air Act 42 U.S.C. 7401– 7671(q). 3. Wildlife: Endangered Species Act [16 U.S.C. 1531–1544 and Section 1536], Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act [16 U.S.C. 661–667(d)]. Migratory Bird Treaty Act [16 U.S.C. 703–712]. 4. Historic and Cultural Resources: Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended [16 U.S.C. 470(aa)–11]; Archeological and Historic Preservation Act [16 U.S.C. 469–469(c)]; Native American Grave PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) [25 U.S.C. 3001–3013]; U.S. Department of Transportation Act of 1966 [49 U.S.C. 303 Section 4(f)]. 5. Social and Economic: Civil Rights Act of 1964 [42 U.S.C. 2000(d)– 2000(d)(1)]; American Indian Religious Freedom Act [42 U.S.C. 1996]; Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA) [7 U.S.C. 4201–4209]; The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended. 6. Hazardous Materials: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C. 9601–9675; Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA); Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), 42 U.S.C. 6901–6992(k). 7. Physical Environment: Clean Water Act [33 U.S.C. 1344] 8. Executive Orders: E.O. 11990 Protection of Wetlands; E.O. 11988 Floodplain Management; E.O. 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low Income Populations; E.O. 11593 Protection and enhancement of Cultural Resources; E.O. 13007 Indian Sacred Sites; E.O. 13287 Preserve America; E.O. 13175 Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments; E.O. 11514 Protection and Enhancement of Environmental Quality; E.O. 13112 Invasive Species. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, Highway Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this program.) Authority: 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1) Issued on: April 3, 2009. Cindy Vigue, Director, State Programs, Federal Highway Administration, Sacramento, California. [FR Doc. E9–8073 Filed 4–8–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–RY–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Docket No. AB–33 (Sub–No. 268X)] Union Pacific Railroad Company— Abandonment Exemption—in Milwaukee County, WI Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) has filed a notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1152 Subpart F—Exempt Abandonments to abandon a 3.08-mile line of railroad known as the Capitol E:\FR\FM\09APN1.SGM 09APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 67 (Thursday, April 9, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16255-16256]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-7693]


=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston, TX and To Conduct 
Public Scoping Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement 
(EIS) and to conduct public scoping meetings.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is issuing this Notice of Intent to advise the public 
that the FAA will prepare an EIS under the provisions of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended. The EIS will 
address proposed improvements to George Bush Intercontinental Airport 
(IAN). The Houston Airport System (HAS), the sponsor of the project, 
completed an Airport Master Plan (AMP) for IAN in 2006. The AMP showed 
that additional airfield capacity was needed. Airfield improvements 
including additional runway(s) were recommended to meet future capacity 
and reduce projected delays at IAH.
    Based on analysis presented in the AMP, FAA concurred that 
additional capacity was needed to meet forecast demand and began the 
EIS process. One of the first tasks in the process was to update the 
aviation forecast because of the decline in aviation operations since 
the AMP was completed. An updated forecast of aircraft operations was 
completed and reconfirmed the need to provide for additional capacity 
at IAH.
    The EIS will document the purpose and need for the proposed 
improvements as well as analyze a range of alternatives such as use of 
other modes of transportation or airports, construction of airfield 
improvements and as required by NEPA, the no action alternative. It is 
anticipated that the focus of the analysis will be on airfield 
improvement alternatives including: altering runway use and/or 
constructing taxiways; constructing a new runway between Runways 8L/26R 
and 8R/26L; and constructing a new runway south of Runway 9/27. To 
comply with NEPA, the FAA must also evaluate the potential 
environmental impacts of each of the reasonable alternatives such as 
and not limited to: noise impacts, impacts on air and water quality, 
wetlands, fish, wildlife, plants, floodplains, historic resources, 
hazardous wastes, socioeconomics, and economic factors.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Federal Aviation Administration, 
Airports Division, Attn: Paul Blackford, ASW-652B, 2601 Meacham 
Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 76137, E-mail: eis.org">pblackford.faa@iah-eis.org, 
Phone: 817-222-5607.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this notice is to inform 
federal, state, and local government agencies and the public, of FAA's 
intent to prepare an EIS and to conduct a public and agency scoping 
process. Information, data, opinions, and comments obtained throughout 
the scoping process will be considered in the preparation of the draft 
EIS. The scoping process for this EIS will include a comment period for 
interested agencies and parties to submit oral and/or written comments 
representing the concerns and issues they believe the EIS should 
address.
    Scoping Meetings: The purpose of the scoping meetings is to receive 
input from the public and agencies regarding the scope and process 
related to the EIS. Comments and suggestions are invited from all 
interested parties to ensure that issues and concerns related to the 
proposed action and its alternatives are addressed. Public and agency 
scoping meetings will be conducted to encourage submittal of comments 
to the FAA.
    Public scoping meetings will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on May 12, 
2009, at the Humble Civic Center and May 14, 2009, at the Nimitz High 
School. Each meeting will include an introductory presentation, 
exhibits for team members to further explain the project and process, 
and opportunities to submit oral or written comments. To notify the 
general public of the scoping process, a legal notice will be placed in 
newspapers having general circulation in the study area. The newspaper 
notice will notify the public that scoping meetings will be held to 
gain public input concerning the proposed action, alternatives to be 
considered, and environmental impacts to be evaluated. The notice will 
also identify where the scoping package will be available for review.
    An agency scoping meeting for all federal, state, and local 
regulatory agencies which have jurisdiction by law or have special 
expertise with respect to any potential environmental impacts 
associated with the proposed action will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. 
on May 12, 2009 at the Humble Civic Center. A notification letter along 
with a scoping package will be sent in advance of those meetings.
    The Scoping Meetings provide the first major opportunity for 
gathering comments from agency representatives and the general public. 
Comments received at the meetings, or by mail, e-mail and via the Web 
site (https://www.iah-eis.org) by June 15, 2009, will be included in the 
Scoping Report and considered for inclusion in the EIS. The Final 
Scoping Report will be made available to the public on the Web site.
    In addition to preparing the EIS to fulfill the requirements of 
NEPA, the FAA will prepare the EIS in order to comply with other 
applicable laws having public involvement requirements. Comments 
addressing other applicable laws should be

[[Page 16256]]

submitted to the listed contact person. Further information about the 
EIS and the proposed action will be posted when available at https://
www.iah-eis.org.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 30, 2009.
Mike Nicely,
Acting Manager, Airports Division.
[FR Doc. E9-7693 Filed 4-8-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M

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