Presented to: 34th Annual Airports Conference
By: Ed Gabsewics, CEP
Date: March 3, 2011
Federal AviationAdministration
Planning and Environmental
Guidance
For Airport Property Mineral Extraction
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Recently Published Guidance
• Details outlined in FAA Eastern Region Airports Division Sponsor Guide (Updated 11/16/10)
• Sponsor must remain in compliance with federal obligations and safety requirements
• All revenue generated by mineral extraction must stay on and be used for airport purposes only
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Required Sponsor Actions
• FAA Environmental Determination
• Construction Safety Phasing Plan (CSPP)
• ALP Revision
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Required Sponsor Submittals (Cont‘d)
• Copy of Drilling Permits• Additional Information as spelled out in the
guidance
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FAA Environmental Determination
• Contact your Airports District Office (ADO) Environmental Protection Specialist (EPS) to Scope
• Environmental Assessment Required for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Compliance
• FAA will make a Finding/Determination
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Keys to Obtaining Timely Environmental Determinations
• Early Contact with ADO Project Manager and EPS
• Early Coordination with Resource & Permitting Agencies is Critical
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The Environmental Assessment
• Based on Preliminary System Layout and Design
• Discusses Affected Environment, Required Permits
• Commits to Avoidance, Minimization & Mitigation (where necessary)
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The Environmental Finding/ Determination Process
• Determination Likely a Finding Of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
• FONSI will require Supplemental Environmental Analysis (as necessary) to address Specifics/Actual Site Development
• Supplemental Analysis must be Consistent with EA
• Construction will not be Authorized without FAA Concurrence
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Airport Layout Plan (ALP) Update
• Airport Sponsor’s obligation (Grant Assurance #29)
• Show all permanent above-grade improvements
• FAA Form 7460-1 to coordinate airspace review and determination
• “Pen & Ink” Change to ALP
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Construction Safety Phasing Plan (CSPP)
• Safety is critical!• CSPP addresses all aspects of construction
– Duration and work schedules– Access routes for construction equipment– Height of equipment and lighting / flagging
requirements
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Safety Concerns
• Headlines like “Cause of Western PA Gas Well Fire Still Unknown” and “Three Burned at Marcellus Shale Drilling Site near Avella” should make you think about what could happen at drilling sites
• Besides the drilling site, pipelines will be connecting your wells and traversing your property
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Questions
