[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 77 (Wednesday, April 22, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 19996-19997] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-10682] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Notice of Agency and Public Scoping for Cal Black Memorial Airport Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation. ACTION: Notice of public and agency scoping. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Northwest Mountain Region of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as lead and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Park Service (NPS) as cooperating agencies announce that the FAA intends to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to address issues arising from the 1993 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals Decision concerning the closure of Halls Crossing Airport and the development of Cal Black Memorial Airport. To ensure that all significant issues related to the action are identified, additional scoping comments are requested. DATE AND ADDRESS FOR COMMENTS: Scoping was conducted in 1990 concerning the development of this replacement airport and the transfer of land from the BLM to San Juan County. Subsequent to the 1993, 10th Circuit Court Decision additional scoping was conducted in 1995 and 1997. Additional scoping is being conducted prior to initiating the Draft Supplemental EIS. The FAA has prepared a scoping document that is available by contacting the FAA or by accessing the Internet site at ``http:/www.airportnetwork.com/U96''. Send comments to, or seek additional information from, the responsible Federal official: Mr. Craig Sparks, Denver Airports District Office, Federal Aviation Administration, 26805 East 68th Street, Suite 224, Denver, Colorado 80249-6361. To be considered, written comments must be received on or before May 18, 1998. Comments may also be submitted through the project web site, which may be accessed at: ``http:/www.airportnetwork.com/U96''. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Halls Crossing Airport was located within the boundary of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, a unit of the NPS. Due to safety issues with this airport, an EIS was undertaken concerning the development of a replacement airport. In 1990, the FAA issued a Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statement for the development of a replacement Airport, in cooperation with the BLM and NPS. In August 1990, the FAA issued a record of decision approving the development of Cal Black Memorial Airport and conveying the land from BLM to San Juan County. In reaching its approval, the FAA determined that no significant impacts would result from the new airport to the recreational experience of visitors to the recreational area. In 1990, the National Parks and Conservation Association (NPCA), et al brought suit against the FAA concerning the adequacy of the EIS and the adequacy of the BLM Plan Amendment and land transfer process. In its July 7, 1993, decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit, remanded the EIS decision back to the FAA for further environmental analysis of aircraft noise impacts to the recreational use of public lands and the BLM's plan amendment and transfer of land. [[Page 19997]] Thus, the purpose of the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement is to address the requirements of the U.S. Court of Appeals findings. The scope of the EIS will include: (1) The identification of a threshold of significant aircraft noise impact, (2) the measurement of actual aircraft noise levels, (3) the survey of visitors to the Glen Canyon National Recreational Area, (4) the evaluation of existing and future aircraft noise levels; and (5) if significant impacts are identified, the evaluation of alternative means of mitigating the significant impact. In addition, the Supplemental EIS will review the BLM plan amendment and transfer of land issues. The National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management will continue to serve as cooperating agencies in preparing the Supplemental EIS. Issued in Renton, Washington on April 15, 1998. David A. Field, Manager, Planning, Programming, and Capacity Branch, Northwest Mountain Region. [FR Doc. 98-10682 Filed 4-21-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-22-M