[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 115 (Thursday, June 13, 1996)] [Notices] [Page 30105] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-15064] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and To Hold Environmental Scoping Meetings for Runway Extension, Air Cargo Area, and Related Development at New Bedford Municipal Airport, New Bedford, MA AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of public environmental scoping meetings. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing notice to advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for a proposal by the City of New Bedford to extend the primary runway and runway safety area, develop an air cargo area and adjacent taxiway, and related development at New Bedford Municipal Airport. To ensure that all significant issues related to the proposed action are identified, public scoping meetings will be held. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Silva, Manager, Environmental Programs, Airports Division, New England Region, Federal Aviation Administration, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803. Telephone number: 617- 238-7602. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The City of New Bedford is conducting an Airport Master Plan to determine future development needs. This Plan has progressed to the point of determining the need to accommodate future air cargo activity. Due primarily to the potential for significant adverse wetlands impacts and associated water quality issues, FAA has decided to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). FAA has conducted several meetings toward developing a Draft Scope of Work for the EIS. Since the EIS will be prepared as a joint Environmental Impact Report (EIR) under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act, additional meetings have been held to address EIR requirements. Comments and suggestions are presently invited from federal, state, and local agencies, and other interested parties, in order to ensure that a full range of issues related to the proposed projects are identified and addressed in a final Scope of Work for the EIS. A copy of the Draft Scope of Work may be obtained from FAA at the above address or telephone number. Comments and suggestions should be addressed to FAA at the above address and mailed not later than July 19. PUBLIC SCOPING MEETINGS: In order to provide public input, a scoping meeting for federal, state, local, and non-governmental agencies will be held on Tuesday, July 9, 1996, at 1:30 pm at the maintenance building adjacent to the terminal building at New Bedford Municipal Airport, 1569 Airport Road, New Bedford, Massachusetts. An additional meeting to receive public input will be held on July 9 at 7:00 pm at the same location. These meetings will be preceded by a field tour of the EIS project area at 10:00 am on the same day, for individuals who have not yet done so. The tour will commence from the entrance to the terminal building. Federal, state, local, and non-governmental agency representatives are encouraged to attend both scoping meetings. Additional information may be obtained by contacting FAA at the above address or telephone number. Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 31, 1996. Vincent A. Scarano, Manager, Airports Division, FAA, New England Region. [FR Doc. 96-15064 Filed 6-12-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-M