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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34th Annual Airports Conference

March 3, 2011

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34th Annual Airports Conference

March 3, 2011

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34th Annual Airports Conference

March 3, 2011

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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34th Annual Airports Conference

March 3, 2011

Required Sponsor Actions

• FAA Environmental Determination

• Construction Safety Phasing Plan (CSPP)

• ALP Revision

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34th Annual Airports Conference

March 3, 2011

Required Sponsor Submittals (Cont‘d)

• Copy of Drilling Permits• Additional Information as spelled out in the

guidance

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34th Annual Airports Conference

March 3, 2011

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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34th Annual Airports Conference

March 3, 2011

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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34th Annual Airports Conference

March 3, 2011

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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34th Annual Airports Conference

March 3, 2011

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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34th Annual Airports Conference

March 3, 2011

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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34th Annual Airports Conference

March 3, 2011

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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34th Annual Airports Conference

March 3, 2011

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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34th Annual Airports Conference

March 3, 2011

Questions