[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 180 (Monday, September 17, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46991-46992]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20144]


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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 Runway 14/32 Relocation/Extension and Associated Improvements 
Project for the Lake Elmo Airport (21D) in Lake Elmo, 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 (August 31, 2018) a FONSI/ROD based on 
the Final EA for a Runway 14/32 Relocation/Extension and Associated 
Improvements Project at the Lake Elmo Airport. The Final EA was 
prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) of 1969, as amended, FAA Orders 1050.1F, ``Environmental 
Impacts: Policies and Procedures'' and 5050.4B, ``NEPA Implementing 
Instructions for Airport Actions''.

DATE: This notice is applicable September 17, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Josh Fitzpatrick, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, FAA Dakota-Minnesota 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 Mr. Josh 
Fitzpatrick through the contact information above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA and the Metropolitan Airports 
Commission (MAC) jointly prepared the Final EA/State of Minnesota 
Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW), pursuant to the requirements 
of the NEPA and the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act.
    The Final EA evaluated the 21D Runway 14/32 Relocation/Extension 
and Associated Improvements Project. The purpose of the proposed action 
is to address failing, end of life infrastructure; enhance safety for 
airport users and neighbors; and improve facilities for the family of 
aircraft using the airport. The proposed action is needed based on the 
following four deficiencies at the existing facility: The existing 
runway and taxiway pavement is deteriorating and needs to be replaced; 
Runway 14/32 has several incompatible land uses within its runway 
protection zones (RPZs), including a railroad and two public roads; the 
existing pavement and airfield geometry do not meet the needs of 
airport users and aircraft; and the existing instrument approach 
procedures do not use the latest available navigational technology.
    The Final EA identified and evaluated reasonable alternatives. 
Numerous alternatives were considered, but eventually discarded for not 
meeting the purpose and need. For the primary runway, Alternatives B, 
B1, and the No Action were examined in detail. For the crosswind 
runway, the No Action and one other alternative were examined. For 
roadway relocation, Alternatives 1, 2, 4A, 4B, and the No Action were 
examined. After careful analysis and consultation with various resource 
agencies, the MAC selected Primary Runway Alternative B1, the Crosswind 
Runway Alternative, and Roadway Alternative 3 as the proposed action. 
Primary Runway Alternative B1, the Crosswind Runway Alternative, and 
Roadway Alternative 3 satisfies the purpose and need while minimizing 
impacts.
    The Proposed Action includes the following elements: Relocate 
Runway 14/32 by shifting 615 feet to the northeast and extend to 3,500 
feet, including grading, clearing, and runway lighting; extinguish 
existing prescriptive easement for 30th Street North and seek a land 
release for non-aeronautical use from the FAA to allow realignment of 
30th Street North around the new Runway 32 RPZ to reconnect with the 
existing Neal Avenue North intersection; relocate the Airport perimeter 
fence to reflect the new Runway 32 RPZ; remove the existing north side 
taxiway and compass calibration pad and construct a new crossfield 
taxiway to serve the new Runway 14 end, including taxiway lighting; 
convert existing Runway 14/32 to a partial parallel taxiway and remove 
the portion of the existing parallel taxiway south of the Runway 04 
threshold; reconstruct Runway 4/22 and extend to 2,750 feet, including 
necessary lighting and taxiway connectors; construct other taxiways and 
engine run-up pads as needed to support the relocated Runway 14/32 and 
extended Runway 04/22, including connector taxiways and a full-length 
parallel taxiway on the north side of the relocated Runway 14/32, and 
install taxiway lighting and/or reflectors; relocate the compass 
calibration pad adjacent to the new partial parallel taxiway (converted 
Runway 14/32); establish non-precision GPS-based instrument approach 
procedures to all runway ends not already equipped;

[[Page 46992]]

provide Runway 14/32 lighting systems with the relocated runway; 
install Medium Intensity Runway Lights (MIRLs) on Runway 04/22, 
Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPIs) on the Runway 04, 14, and 22 
ends, and Runway End Identifier Lights (REILs) on each end of Runway 
04/22; remove approximately 20 acres of on-Airport trees and individual 
off-Airport trees as necessary to clear trees that penetrate FAA 
Threshold Siting Surface (TSS)/Part 77 approach and transitional 
surfaces; install obstruction lighting on Fixed Based Operator (FBO) 
and hangar buildings in the Terminal Instrument Procedures (TERPS) 
departure surface areas beyond Runway 04, 14, and 22 ends; construct an 
on-Airport access road connecting the north and west building areas; 
voluntarily explore creation of Rusty Patched Bumble Bee/pollinator 
habitat on airport property southwest of proposed 30th Street North 
realignment.
    Based on the analysis in the Final EA, the FAA has determined that 
the proposed action will not result in significant impacts to resources 
identified in accordance with FAA Orders 1050.1F and 5050.4B. 
Therefore, an environmental impact statement will not be prepared.

    Issued in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on August 31, 2018.
Andy Peek,
Manager, Dakota-Minnesota Airports District Office, FAA, Great Lakes 
Region.
[FR Doc. 2018-20144 Filed 9-14-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


