The EIS process begins when an Airport Sponsor proposes a project that requires a Federal action, and the responsible FAA official determines the need for an EIS. The Palm Beach County Department of Airports (PBC DOA) has requested approval of Airport Layout Plan (ALP) modifications that include the sponsor’s Airfield Improvement Project. The Airfield Improvement Project includes the widening, extension, relocation, and conversion of a general aviation (GA) runway to an air carrier runway (among other projects). The FAA's experience and guidance with this type of project indicated that an EIS would be the most appropriate way for the agency to fulfill its responsibilities under NEPA.
The EIS process generally consists of three components or Phases: Scoping, the Draft EIS, and the Final EIS. These phases are discussed further below.
Phase 1 – Scoping
FAA has collected airport planning data from PBC DOA and preliminary environmental information. After the FAA completed the analysis of airport planning data and validated the purpose and need for the project, the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS and hold Scoping Meetings was published in the Federal Register on January 26, 2007. Advertisements notifying the public of the EIS and the upcoming Scoping Meetings were placed in the Palm Beach Post, La Palma, and on the Palm Beach County public access television channel. In addition to notification of the public, FAA has solicited participation from local, state and federal agencies that may have interest in the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project. Agency and Public Scoping meetings were held on February 27, 2007 at the Hilton Palm Beach Airport. The purpose of these Scoping meetings were to ensure that both resource agencies and the public were informed of the project and were able to provide input and comments to the study. For further information on the Agency and Public Scoping Meeting click here.
Agency and Public comments were reviewed, summarized, and compiled by FAA in the Scoping Period Comment Database. The Agency and Public Comments received during the Scoping process were used to help finalize the Scope of Work for for Phase 2 of the EIS process.
Phase 2 Draft EIS
The FAA evaluated Agency and Public comments received during Scoping and initiated Phase 2 of the EIS study - preparation of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). Using a three-level screening process, the FAA evaluated alternatives to the Proposed Project. The alternatives evaluation process identified three alternatives that were retained for detailed environmental impact analysis (Proposed Project, Alternative 2, and the No-Action Alternative). The environmental impact analysis covered seventeen environmental resources categories (i.e., aircraft noise, air quality). The results of the environmental evaluation were documented in the Draft EIS was released to the public for review and comment in September 2008. Public notice of the release of the Draft EIS was made in the Federal Register, advertised in local newspapers, and through direct mailings. A joint Public Information Workshop and Public Hearing was held on November 12, 2008 to discuss the findings of the Draft EIS and to receive Agency and Public comments on the Draft EIS. The comment period on the DEIS closed on November 24, 2008.
Phase 3 - Final EIS (Where We Are Now)
The FAA reviewed and considered comments received on the Draft EIS and prepared the Final EIS for the Proposed Project. In the Final EIS, the FAA also identified the agency's Preferred Alternative and the mitigation program for unavoidable environmental impacts. The Final EIS was made available for review on February 4, 2011.
Because of the amount of time that has elapsed since the publication of the Draft EIS, the consideration of revised aviation activity forecasts in the Final EIS, and the PBC DOA's revised implementation plan and schedule for the AIP, the FAA accepted comments on the Final EIS for a period of 45 days following the February 4, 2011 publication of the Notice of Availability of the Final EIS in the Federal Register. The comment period for the FEIS closed on March 21, 2011.
After review and consideration of the comments received on the Final EIS, and sometime after the 45-day comment period on the Final EIS has ended, the FAA will issue its Record of Decision (ROD). The ROD is a document that contains the FAA's findings, explanations of the findings, and the agency's decision(s) on whether the FAA will provide the approvals and Federal actions necessary for the PBC DOA to implement the proposed airport improvements. If the Proposed Project, or portions thereof, is unconditionally approved by the FAA in the ROD, the PBC DOA can proceed with the development of the project pending receipt of all local approvals, required permits, and availability of funding.
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