
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 55 (Thursday, March 21, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 17468]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06533]



[[Page 17468]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) 
and Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision (FONSI/ROD) for 
the 2020 Improvement Project for Minneapolis/St. Paul International 
Airport (MSP), Minneapolis, MN

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public that the 
FAA has prepared and approved (March 6, 2013) a FONSI/ROD based on the 
Final EA for the MSP 2020 Improvement Project. The Final EA was 
prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) of 1969, as amended, FAA Orders 1050.1E, ``Environmental 
Impacts: Policies and Procedures'' and 5050.4B, ``NEPA Implementing 
Instructions for Airport Actions''.

DATES: This notice is effective March 21, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Ms. Kandice Krull, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, FAA Minneapolis Airports District Office (ADO), 
6020 28th Avenue South, Suite 102, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55450. 
Telephone number is (612) 253-4639. Copies of the FONSI/ROD and/or 
Final EA are available upon written request by contacting Ms. Kandice 
Krull through the contact information above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Final EA evaluated the MSP 2020 
Improvement Project. The purpose of the project is to accommodate the 
expected demand such that the level of service is acceptable throughout 
MSP's facilities (terminal and landside facilities such as gates, 
security checkpoints, parking lots, roadways, etc.) under both existing 
and 2020 conditions and regional roadways under 2030 conditions.
    The FAA and the Metropolitan Airport Commission (MAC) jointly 
prepared the Final EA, pursuant to the requirements of the NEPA and the 
Minnesota Environmental Policy Act, respectively. A joint Federal-State 
EA was prepared.
    Chapter 3 of the Final EA identified and evaluated all reasonable 
alternatives. Numerous alternatives were considered but eventually 
discarded for not meeting the purpose and need. Three alternatives (No 
Action, Alternative 1--Airlines Remain, and Alternative 2--Airlines 
Relocation) were examined in detail. After careful analysis and 
consultation with various resource agencies, the MAC selected 
Alternative 2 as the preferred alternative. Alternative 2 satisfies the 
purpose and need while minimizing impacts.
    Alternative 2 includes improvements to Terminal 1--Lindbergh; 
Terminal 2--Humphrey; Glumack Drive; 34th Avenue South and I-494 
interchange; East 72nd Street and 34th Avenue South intersection; 34th 
Avenue South, East 70th Street; Post Road; the Post Road and Trunk 
Highway 5 interchange; and I-494.
    Based on the analysis in the Final EA, the FAA has determined that 
Alternative 2 will not result in significant impacts to resources 
identified in accordance with FAA Orders 1050.1E and 5054.4B. 
Therefore, an environmental impact statement will not be prepared.

    Issued in Minneapolis, Minnesota on March 6, 2013.
Jesse Carriger,
Acting Manager, Minneapolis Airports District Office, FAA, Great Lakes 
Region.
[FR Doc. 2013-06533 Filed 3-20-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


