
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 3 (Monday, January 6, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 695]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-31543]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Assessment (Final 
EA) and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)/Record of Decision 
(ROD) for the Proposed Construction and Operation of a Replacement 
Aerial Tramway, South Franklin Mountain, El Paso, Texas

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Assessment 
(Final EA) and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)/Record of 
Decision (ROD) for the Proposed Construction and Operation of a 
Replacement Aerial Tramway, South Franklin Mountain, El Paso, Texas.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing this 
notice to advise the public that the FAA has prepared, and approved on 
November 6, 2013, a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)/Record of 
Decision (ROD) based on the Final Environmental Assessment (Final EA) 
for the Proposed Construction and Operation of a Replacement Aerial 
Tramway (ATRAM), South Franklin Mountain, El Paso, Texas. The FAA 
prepared the Final EA in accordance with the National Environmental 
Policy Act and the FAA's regulations and guidelines for environmental 
documents and the Final EA was signed on September 30, 2013. Copies of 
the Final EA and/or FONSI/ROD are available by contacting Ms. Virginia 
Marcks through the contact information provided below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Virginia Marcks, Manager, 
Infrastructure Engineering Center, Chicago, AJW-C15H, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018. 
Telephone number: (847) 294-7494.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Final EA evaluated the construction and 
operation of a replacement ATRAM on South Franklin Mountain, in 
Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso, Texas. The new ATRAM would 
replace the 58-year old existing ATRAM, which is beyond its operational 
service life and for which general maintenance and upkeep have become 
impractical and cost-intensive. The existing ATRAM has reached the 
point where replacement parts cannot be found and has many operational 
deficiencies and areas of concern. The replacement ATRAM, which would 
be constructed parallel to the existing ATRAM on South Franklin 
Mountain, would comply with industry standards for tramways.
    The new ATRAM system would consist of a lower terminal, three 
intermediate towers, and an upper terminal. The new lower terminal 
facility would be located approximately 1,000 feet downhill from the 
existing location and the three intermediate towers would be located in 
the general vicinity of the existing intermediate tower location. A new 
upper terminal would be located atop South Franklin Mountain south of 
the current upper terminal. The new ATRAM would have an enclosed cabin 
which would accommodate and transport a minimum of four people and have 
a total load carrying capacity of 2,000 pounds.
    After the new ATRAM system is fully operational, the FAA would 
decommission, demolish, remove the existing ATRAM system, and restore 
the lower terminal and intermediate parcels prior to transfer of the 
parcels to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
    The Final EA has been prepared in accordance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and FAA Order 
1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures.'' In 
addition, FAA Order 5050.4B, ``National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
Implementing Instructions for Airport Actions'' has been used as 
guidance in the preparation of the environmental analysis.

    Issued in Des Plaines, Illinois, on December 27, 2013.
Virginia Marcks,
Manager, Infrastructure Engineering Center, Chicago, AJW-C15H, Federal 
Aviation Administration.
[FR Doc. 2013-31543 Filed 1-3-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


