AGENCY SCOPING MEETING

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "AGENCY SCOPING MEETING"

Simon Wright
5 years ago
Views:

1 AGENCY SCOPING MEETING Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Conducted for the Friedman Memorial Replacement Airport in the Wood River Region of South Central Idaho December 4, :00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 1

2 Agenda EIS Purpose and Process History and Background Scoping Process Site Selection Criteria for Purpose and Need Alternative Sites and Potential Impacts Friedman Memorial Replacement Airport EIS Process Schedule Opportunity to Comment 2

3 EIS Purpose EIS Purpose and Process To ensure Federal government programs and actions meet the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) goals and policies. Take a hard look at the environmental impacts, including the no action, the proposed action, and its reasonable alternatives would cause. To evaluate the impacts of developing and operating an airport that would replace the Friedman Memorial Airport (FMA). 3

4 EIS Purpose and Process The EIS process will be conducted in accordance with: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations Implementing NEPA FAA Order E, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures FAA Order B, NEPA Implementing Instructions for Airport Actions 4

5 EIS Purpose and Process Phase I Project Identification Agency/Public Circulation CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARING DAY REVIEW Select Consultant Notice of Availability of DEIS & Public Hearing Prepare Plan of Study for Phases III and IV Phase III Plan of Study for Phase I Prepare Draft EIS Respond to Agency/Public Comments Negotiate Scope with FAA/Sponsor Detailed Environmental Analysis Prepare Final EIS We are here. Publish Notice of Intent Tribal Consultation Prepare Plan of Study for Phase II Phase II FAA Final EIS Availability Scoping Meet with Stakeholders Develop Preliminary Range of Alternatives Phase IV FAA Sign/Issue Final Record of Decision 30 DAY REVIEW Baseline Data Collection Identify Purpose & Need Project Initiation 5

6 EIS Purpose and Process Role of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Serves as the Lead Federal Agency on the EIS. Will conduct a process that provides for independent review of the Airport Sponsor s Proposal (i.e., development of a replacement airport) and other reasonable and feasible alternatives that meet the identified purpose and need. Directs the work performed by the Consultant. Role of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Involved as alternative sites may occur on BLM land. Agency has not yet entered into a cooperating or colead agreement at this time. 6

7 Role of Airport Sponsor (FMAA) EIS Purpose and Process Assist the FAA in acquiring data Assist with public involvement and outreach components of the EIS. Role of Consultant (L&B Team) Work as an extension of the FAA. 7

8 History and Background Friedman Memorial Airport serves as the primary airport for the Wood River Valley of Idaho, including the communities of Hailey, Bellevue, Ketchum and Sun Valley. It lies 13 miles south of Sun Valley inside the City of Hailey and adjacent to the City of Bellevue. The Friedman Memorial Airport is critical to the success of the region s resort economy. The airport is owned and operated by the Friedman Memorial Airport Authority which is an independent political entity created as joint powers authority by the City of Hailey and Blaine County. The Authority is governed by a five-member Board. a 8

9 History and Background While the airport is one of the busiest airports in the entire state of Idaho, it is very small: it occupies just 211 acres. In 2007, it is estimated to have 50,000 operations; 75,000 enplaned commercial passengers. The airport is a full service public airport with both general aviation and commercial service. Today there is regularly scheduled commercial service by two carriers: Horizon and Skywest who provide direct service to Seattle, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City with turbo-propeller commuter aircraft. The Airport Authority is seeking additional service from Denver by the new Frontier Airlines Lynx subsidiary. Studies conducted since 1976 have consistently shown the need to relocate the existing airport. 9

10 History and Background The airport was officially dedicated in A grant application for FAA funding was prepared to complete the initial paving for the runway at FMA with the knowledge that a new landing strip would be needed in the next years Airport Master Plan Recommended acquiring the Highway 75 right-of-way for the airport by relocating the highway onto the abandoned Union Pacific railroad grade. 10

11 History and Background 1990 Airport Feasibility Study Initiated in response to federal requirements to reduce the number of deviations to standards and improve aviation service. Concluded the Blaine County Commissioners and the residents of Blaine County should determine if the airport should be relocated. Determined the site with the fewest environmental impacts was located on the Moonstone Ranch property in Blaine, County, east of the Camas/Blaine county line. Airport Commission decided to remain at the current site for the foreseeable future. 11

12 History and Background 1994 Airport Master Plan Update Initiated to develop a long-range airport improvement plan that would satisfy FAA concerns regarding air carrier operations at the airport. The importance of the airport and the limitations of the present location were discussed in the Preamble. Recommended improvements to accommodate an Airport Reference Code B-III aircraft, based on the characteristics of the Dash and the BAe 146 aircraft. The FMAA concurred and completed the projects that would eliminate or reduce as many FAA design standard deficiencies as possible for the B-III aircraft. FAA still felt that FMA was non-compliant with the Airport s Grant Assurances, however could not restrict activity. 12

2001 to Present Additional defined demand Large

13 History and Background 2000 to Present Significant C-III use at FMA Gulfstream V DeHavilland Dash Q to Present Additional defined demand Large C-III and C-IV Aircraft Airbus 319, Boeing 737, Boeing

14 History and Background 2004 Airport Master Plan Update Initiated in response to the FAA s planning policy which states the FMAA resolve issues related to the C-III compliance. If C-III issues are not resolved commercial service could be limited. Recommended a series of alternatives to meet standards associated with existing aircraft operations and improvements to meet the projected demand. In order to meet all standards the airport would be required to expand beyond the current property boundary. Cost $30-40 million Significant adverse impacts on the community Not offer any long-term solutions Board elected to proceed with the evaluation of a new airport to meet current and future demand and meet FAA design standards. Board is moving as close to FAA standards as possible at the existing site inside the fence while the idea of meeting aviation demand, reliability, safety, and FAA design standard considerations is looked at in detail. 14

15 15

16 History and Background 2006 Site Selection and Feasibility Study Initiated to evaluate the feasibility of siting an airport that could conform to FAA design standards, serve existing users, and grow to accommodate future demands. Recommended a final site (Site 10) based on analysis from the study. Study Chapters included: Chapter 1 Purpose for the Project Chapter 2 Site Selection Process Chapter 3 Regional Aviation Demand and Long-Term Facility Needs Chapter 4 Identification and Initial Screening of Alternative Airport Sites (including existing site) Chapter 5 Analysis of Finalist Sites Chapter 6 Financial Feasibility Analysis and Conceptual Funding Plan 16

17 17

18 Introduction to the Scoping Process Scoping Process Identifies potentially significant environmental impacts. Clarifies agency roles and responsibilities. Educates interested parties. Ensures FAA s NEPA effort will focus on and address environmental concerns. 18

19 Introduction to the Scoping Process Role of the Regulatory Agencies Help identify potentially significant environmental impacts Review and comment on EIS finding Issue environmental permits where applicable Review proposed mitigation strategies where applicable Ensure compliance with local, state, and Federal environmental regulations 19

20 Introduction to the Scoping Process Federal Regulatory Agencies Department of Transportation Bureau of Land Management National Park Service Army Corps of Engineers Department of Agriculture Fish and Wildlife Service Environmental Protection Agency Northwest Power and Conservation Council Bureau of Reclamation Bureau of Indian Affairs National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Office 20

21 Introduction to the Scoping Process Tribes Shoshone Bannock Tribes Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Tribe Shoshone Tribe of the Wind River Reservation Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation 21

22 Introduction to the Scoping Process State Regulatory Agencies Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Idaho Department of Transportation Aeronautics & Highway Idaho Department of Labor Idaho Department of Water Resources Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Idaho Department of Lands Idaho Department of Energy Idaho Department of Fish and Game 22

23 Introduction to the Scoping Process State Regulatory Agencies (continued) Idaho Soil Conservation Commission Idaho State Historical Society Idaho State Department of Agriculture Idaho Governor s Office of Species Conservation Idaho Public Utilities Commission Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security 23

24 Introduction to the Scoping Process Local Agencies Silver Creek Nature Preserve Wood River Land Trust 24

25 Introduction to the Scoping Process Local Agencies City of Bellevue City of Carey City of Dietrich City of Fairfield City of Gooding City of Hailey City of Jerome City of Ketchum City of Richfield City of Shoshone City of Sun Valley City of Twin Falls Blaine County Camas County Gooding County Jerome County Lincoln County Twin Falls County Jerome County Airport Twin Falls Airport 25

26 Site Selection Criteria for Purpose and Need Be compliant with FAA design and safety standards commensurate with current use (currently C-III) and future aviation demands for the region. Provide reliable and safe access to all users in adverse weather via a minimum of a Category I instrument approach system (CAT I ILS). Provide for appropriate approach and departure protections. 26

27 Site Selection Criteria for Purpose and Need Address continuation of air carrier service and other aviation operations for the region. Provide adequate land area to accommodate future demands and provide flexibility to meet the needs of the volatile aviation industry (minimum of 1200 acres). Provide access to communities in the Wood River Region. Minimize impact to the environment. 27

28 Alternative Sites and Potential Impacts Three Phased Approach Identify comprehensive range of alternatives Define a short-list of alternatives Detailed analysis of short-listed alternatives Potential Range of Alternatives On-site alternatives Off-site alternatives No Action alternative 28

29 Alternative Sites and Potential Impacts On-Site alternatives Development alternatives (realign, extend and/or shorten existing runways and/or taxiways; new runway development) Operational procedures Other technologies (reduce separation between aircraft, multi lateration based Precision Runway Monitoring, and Vertical and/or Short Take-off and Landing) Activity or demand management alternatives 29

30 Alternative Sites and Potential Impacts Off-Site Alternatives Use of other airports Sites to develop a replacement airport to serve the Wood River Region Other modes of transportation and/or telecommunications (including private automobiles, rail technology, mass transit, and video conferencing) No Action Alternative A requirement of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Maintain existing terminal, runway, taxiways, and navigational aids Serves as a baseline for evaluating other alternatives 30

31 Alternative Sites and Potential Impacts 31

32 Alternative Sites and Potential Impacts Site 9 32

33 Alternative Sites and Potential Impacts Site 9 33

34 Alternative Sites and Potential Impacts Site 9 34

35 Alternative Sites and Potential Impacts Migration Patterns Site 9 35

36 Friedman Memorial Replacement Airport EIS Process Goal of Hailey EIS Completion of an EIS that provides answers to critical questions: Site location, layout, and access Community and regional socio-economic conditions Public land management Tribal interests and treaty rights Natural and cultural resource impacts Cumulative impacts 36

37 Friedman Memorial Replacement Airport EIS Process Phase I Scoping and Review of Alternatives Phase II Preparation of the Draft EIS Phase III Preparation of the Final EIS Phase IV Record of Decision 37

38 Friedman Memorial Replacement Airport EIS Process Activities to be conducted during Phase I of the EIS: Publication of the Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS (FAA) Development of an unconstrained aviation forecast Business, airline passenger, and airline user input Review of potential airport sites Aviation economic analysis Meetings with local officials, agency representatives, stakeholders and the public (scoping) Tribal consultation Development of a statement of Purpose and Need Determination of reasonable alternatives for further detailed environmental evaluation 38

39 Friedman Memorial Replacement Airport EIS Process Public Involvement and Outreach Opportunities during the EIS Process will include: Outreach efforts (meetings, newsletters, kiosks) Scoping meetings December 3 rd 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. December 4 th 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Community Campus 1050 Fox Acres Road Hailey, ID Review and comment on the Draft EIS Public Hearing on the Draft EIS Review and comment on the Final EIS 39

40 Tentative Schedule Phase I Scoping and Alternative Site Review - Notice of Intent November 1, Scoping Meetings December 3, 2007 & December 4, Outreach Efforts Ongoing Phase II Preparation of the Draft EIS - Kick-off field work Summer Draft EIS published for public review

41 Opportunity to Comment Written comments and/or questions should be mailed by January 15, 2008 to: Ms. Cayla Morgan Federal Aviation Administration Northwest Mountain Region Seattle District Office 1601 Lind Avenue, S.W., Suite 250 Renton, WA Project Website: 41

42 Questions / Comments 42

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION Purpose and Scope The information presented in this report represents the study findings for the 2016 Ronan Airport Master Plan prepared for the City of Ronan and Lake County, the