Opinion ID: 1192958
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The FAA's Challenged Approval

Text: In addressing the Sponsor's application to build a new airport at the West Bay Site, the FAA, pursuant to NEPA, prepared a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) and, after receiving public comment, issued a final EIS (FEIS), which assessed, inter alia, the adverse effects of the Sponsor's proposed action and alternatives to the proposal. Relying on findings in the FEIS, the agency issued its Record of Decision (ROD) on September 15, 2006, approving those federal actions by the [FAA] necessary for the proposed relocation of the Panama City-Bay County International Airport (PFN). ROD at 4. The ROD explains the FAA's approval of the Sponsor's application. As discussed in greater detail below, the AAIA does not permit the FAA to approve an airport development project that has a significant adverse effect on natural resources unless there is no possible and prudent alternative to the project and every reasonable effort to mitigate the adverse effect has been taken. See 49 U.S.C. § 47106(c)(1)(B) (discussed infra at Part II.D). While the FAA found that a new airport at the West Bay Site would have a significant adverse effect on natural resources, it nevertheless approved the project because it found that no prudent alternative existed. See ROD at 68-69. Petitioners timely sought this court's review of the FAA decision pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 46110.