[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 213 (Tuesday, November 4, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59754-59755]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29124]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and To 
Conduct a Scoping Meeting for the Proposed Expansion of Flying Cloud 
Airport, Eden Prairie, MN

AGENCY: Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
and to conduct public scoping.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing this 
notice to advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) will be prepared on the proposed expansion of the Flying Cloud 
Airport. The expansion consists of the extension of two parallel 
runways. The longer of the two runways (Runway 09R-27L) would be 
extended 1,100 feet to 5,000 feet from its current length of 3,900 
feet. The other runway to be extended, (Runway 09L-27R) would be 
extended 300 feet to 3,900 feet from its current length of 3,600 feet. 
Two alternatives on the aircraft weight limitations currently in place 
at Flying Cloud Airport also are under consideration. The first 
alternative would retain the current limitation of 20,000 pounds 
maximum gross weight. The second alternative would allow aircraft up to 
30,000 pounds maximum gross weight. Land would be acquired for the 
expansion of State Safety Zones A and B at the west end of the parallel 
runways and for navigational aids and lights in the Runway Protection 
Zone. In addition, land would be acquired for the eventual construction 
of additional hangars south of the parallel runways and for an access 
road which would connect County Road 4 to the building area. To ensure 
that all significant issues related to the proposed action are 
identified, the FAA is soliciting information and comments from the 
public concerning this project and is advising Federal, State and local 
agencies and the public of the scoping process and scheduled meetings 
that will be conducted as a part of this process.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Glen Orcutt, Airports District 
Office, Federal Aviation Administration, 6020-28th Avenue South, Room 
102, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55450 (612) 713-4354.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA, in 
cooperation with the Minneapolis Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) 
will prepare a joint Federal/State EIS for the proposed expansion of 
Flying Cloud Airport. The EIS will evaluate a No-Action alternative, 
the proposed actions and other reasonable alternatives that may be 
identified during the agency and public scoping meetings. The EIS will 
compare all feasible alternatives, and will ensure that mitigating 
measures are considered to minimize adverse environmental consequences.
    The Minnesota scoping process requires the preparation of an 
Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) and Draft Scoping Decision 
(DSD), combined in one document. The format for the EAW is the 
Minnesota Environmental Quality Board's Environmental Assessment 
Worksheet. A Scoping EAW and DSD has been prepared by the MAC and will 
be circulated to Federal, State and Local agencies for their review and 
comment. The Scoping EAW and DSD addresses the alternatives and 
potential impacts and issues to be addressed in the Federal/State EIS.
    The environmental review of the project will be conducted in 
accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969, as amendment (42 U.S.C. 4371, et seq.), CEQ regulations 
(40 CFR 1500-1508), FAA Orders 5050.4A and 1050.1D and all applicable 
Federal and State regulations and local ordinances.

[[Page 59755]]

Public Scoping

    To ensure that the full range of issues related to the proposed 
project are addressed and that all significant issues are identified, 
comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. In 
order to facilitate public input at the scoping meeting, the Scoping 
EAW and DSD is being sent to Federal, State and Local agencies, and to 
known interested parties.
    A public scoping meeting is scheduled for December 4, 1997, at the 
Pax Christi Catholic Community, 12100 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie, 
Minnesota, at 8:00 p.m. to allow for public input. Copies of the 
Scoping EAW and DSD are available to the public at the Metropolitan 
Airports Commission, FAA Airports District Office, at the Bloomington, 
Chanhassen, Eden Prairie and Shakopee City Halls and for public review 
at the following libraries: Bloomington Penn Lake Public Library, 8800 
Penn Avenue South; Chanhassen Public Library, 690 Coulter Drive; Eden 
Prairie Public Library, 479 Prairie Center Drive; and, the Shakopee 
Public Library, 235 South Lewis Street.
    Written comments will be accepted until December 19, 1997 and may 
be directed to the FAA at the following address.
ADDRESSES: Federal Aviation Administration, Airports District Office, 
MSP-ADO-600, 6020-28th Avenue South, Room 102, Minneapolis, Minnesota 
55450.

    Issued in Minneapolis, Minnesota on October 23, 1997.
Gordon Nelson,
Acting Manager, Airports Division, FAA, Great Lakes Region.
[FR Doc. 97-29124 Filed 11-03-97; 8:45 am]
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