Notice of Cancellation of Environmental Impact Statement for the Norfolk International Airport, Norfolk, Virginia, 76997 [2016-26631]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 214 / Friday, November 4, 2016 / Notices and (3) the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of the General Counsel, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. Decided: November 1, 2016. By the Board, Chairman Elliott, Vice Chairman Miller, and Commissioner Begeman. Brendetta S. Jones, Clearance Clerk. Issued in Washington, DC, on October 31, 2016. Elliott Black, Director, Office of Airport Planning and Programming. [FR Doc. 2016–26630 Filed 11–3–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration [FR Doc. 2016–26724 Filed 11–3–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Notice of Cancellation of Environmental Impact Statement for the Norfolk International Airport, Norfolk, Virginia Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of cancellation of preparation of environmental impact statement. AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration [Docket No. FAA–2016–9346] Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) Program; Draft FAA Order 5500.1B Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice of withdrawal. FAA is rescinding the draft FAA Order 5500.1B, Passenger Facility Charge published on August 5, 2016, and withdrawing its request for public review and comment. SUMMARY: The FAA previously extended the comment period to October 31, 2016. FAA subsequently established a public Docket FAA 2016–9346 and comments received will be entered into the public Docket. DATES: Joe Hebert, Manager, Financial Analysis and Passenger Facility Charge Branch, APP–510, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591, telephone (202) 267–8375; facsimile (202) 267–5302. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: On August 5, 2016, the FAA published a notice and request for comments titled ‘‘Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) Program; Draft FAA Order 5500.1B’’ (81 FR 51963). The notice requested interested parties submit written comments by September 30, 2016. On September 21, 2016, the FAA extended the original comment period by 31 days, from September 30, 2016, to October 31, 2016. After careful consideration, the FAA has decided to rescind the draft Order and cancel the public review process. The FAA will issue a revised draft in the near future for public review and comment. asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:52 Nov 03, 2016 Jkt 241001 The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces that it has discontinued preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed construction of new Runway 5R/23L and associated development at Norfolk International Airport, Norfolk, Virginia. The FAA’s discontinued preparation of the EIS is based upon the completion of the first phase of the EIS. Based on the results of the first phase (Scoping and Purpose & Need development), the FAA has determined that the fundamental purpose and need is not supported by the current or anticipated development needs of the Airport at this time. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marcus Brundage, Environmental Protection Specialist, Federal Aviation Administration, Washington Airports District Office, 23723 Air Freight Lane, Suite 210, Dulles, Virginia 20166; Telephone (703) 661–1365. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 12, 2015, the FAA, published in the Federal Register a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and hold two public scoping meetings in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Virginia (Volume 80, Number 113, FR 33582–33583). The public meetings were held at the Bayside High School and at the Holiday Inn Norfolk Airport on July 22 and 23, 2015, respectively. The stated purpose of the project was to ‘‘meet relevant FAA airfield safety standards and enhance airfield safety without reducing runway availability.’’ The proposed project included the decommissioning and demolition of Runway 14/32, the construction of new Runway 5R/23L and associated development at the airport, and SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00087 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 76997 improvement of roadway access to the airport by realigning Robin Hood Road. Other associated infrastructure was proposed for construction or demolition or relocation including taxiways, lighting, hangers, maintenance facilities, runway safety areas and runway protection zones. In 2001, the FAA began preparing an EIS for similar projects based on the need to accommodate additional operations at the airport. During the first EIS process, the needs of the airport changed and it was determined that the projects were no longer justified based on the stated need and the preparation of the first EIS was cancelled. In 2013, the FAA agreed to proceed with a phased second EIS preparation to review a similar project proposed by the Norfolk Airport Authority. The first phase of the project consisted of consultant selection, EIS scoping, and an analysis of the proposed project’s purpose and need to determine if the FAA should continue to the second phase, which would be completion of the EIS and determination. At the conclusion of the first phase of the second EIS, the FAA determined that the fundamental purpose and need of the projects were not supported by the current or anticipated needs of the airport. The FAA is now terminating the second EIS process. However, the FAA recognizes the importance of ORF to the greater Norfolk/Hampton Roads region and to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Moreover, the FAA agrees that a parallel runway may still be a viable long-term plan for the future, if and when operational demand warrants. Therefore, the FAA continues to support the proposed runway remaining on the approved Airport Layout Plan, as conditionally approved pending environmental review on October 5, 2011, and protecting the associated airspace. Issued in Dulles, Virginia on October 28, 2016. Matthew J. Thys, Manager, Washington Airports District Office, Eastern Region. [FR Doc. 2016–26631 Filed 11–3–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Transit Administration [Docket No. FTA–2016–0036] Notice of Proposed Buy America Waiver for Replacement Parts on Diesel Multiple Unit Rail Vehicles AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT. E:\FR\FM\04NON1.SGM 04NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 214 (Friday, November 4, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 76997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-26631]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Cancellation of Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Norfolk International Airport, Norfolk, Virginia

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of cancellation of preparation of environmental impact 
statement.

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

SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces that it 
has discontinued preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
for the proposed construction of new Runway 5R/23L and associated 
development at Norfolk International Airport, Norfolk, Virginia. The 
FAA's discontinued preparation of the EIS is based upon the completion 
of the first phase of the EIS. Based on the results of the first phase 
(Scoping and Purpose & Need development), the FAA has determined that 
the fundamental purpose and need is not supported by the current or 
anticipated development needs of the Airport at this time.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marcus Brundage, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, Federal Aviation Administration, Washington 
Airports District Office, 23723 Air Freight Lane, Suite 210, Dulles, 
Virginia 20166; Telephone (703) 661-1365.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 12, 2015, the FAA, published in the 
Federal Register a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) and hold two public scoping meetings in Norfolk 
and Virginia Beach, Virginia (Volume 80, Number 113, FR 33582-33583). 
The public meetings were held at the Bayside High School and at the 
Holiday Inn Norfolk Airport on July 22 and 23, 2015, respectively.
    The stated purpose of the project was to ``meet relevant FAA 
airfield safety standards and enhance airfield safety without reducing 
runway availability.'' The proposed project included the 
decommissioning and demolition of Runway 14/32, the construction of new 
Runway 5R/23L and associated development at the airport, and 
improvement of roadway access to the airport by realigning Robin Hood 
Road. Other associated infrastructure was proposed for construction or 
demolition or relocation including taxiways, lighting, hangers, 
maintenance facilities, runway safety areas and runway protection 
zones.
    In 2001, the FAA began preparing an EIS for similar projects based 
on the need to accommodate additional operations at the airport. During 
the first EIS process, the needs of the airport changed and it was 
determined that the projects were no longer justified based on the 
stated need and the preparation of the first EIS was cancelled. In 
2013, the FAA agreed to proceed with a phased second EIS preparation to 
review a similar project proposed by the Norfolk Airport Authority. The 
first phase of the project consisted of consultant selection, EIS 
scoping, and an analysis of the proposed project's purpose and need to 
determine if the FAA should continue to the second phase, which would 
be completion of the EIS and determination.
    At the conclusion of the first phase of the second EIS, the FAA 
determined that the fundamental purpose and need of the projects were 
not supported by the current or anticipated needs of the airport. The 
FAA is now terminating the second EIS process. However, the FAA 
recognizes the importance of ORF to the greater Norfolk/Hampton Roads 
region and to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Moreover, the FAA agrees 
that a parallel runway may still be a viable long-term plan for the 
future, if and when operational demand warrants. Therefore, the FAA 
continues to support the proposed runway remaining on the approved 
Airport Layout Plan, as conditionally approved pending environmental 
review on October 5, 2011, and protecting the associated airspace.

    Issued in Dulles, Virginia on October 28, 2016.
Matthew J. Thys,
Manager, Washington Airports District Office, Eastern Region.
[FR Doc. 2016-26631 Filed 11-3-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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