Draft Environmental Assessment for the East Airfield Development

 Draft Environmental Assessment for the East Airfield Development Area Welcome!
Thank you for attending the Public Workshop for the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) prepared for the East Airfield Development Area at Orlando International Airport (MCO). At this Workshop, you are invited to: •
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Review project information and learn about the proposed project, the alternatives evaluated, the impacts of the proposed project, and the mitigation measures that will be implemented by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) to off‐set the impacts. Discuss the Proposed Action with representatives from GOAA and their consultants. Provide comments on the Draft EA. PublicWorkshopFormat
Thank you for attending this important meeting. This Public Workshop is an “open house” format and allows you to view project materials and speak with representatives from GOAA and their consultants about the Proposed Action. IntroductiontoGreaterOrlandoAviationAuthority(GOAA)
GOAA is an agency of the City of Orlando, Florida (the City), established pursuant to the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Act, Chapter 57‐1658, Special Laws of Florida, 1957, as replaced by Chapter 98‐492, Laws of Florida, as amended. The City owns the Orlando International Airport and Orlando Executive Airport. Pursuant to an agreement dated September 27, 1976, the City transferred to GOAA the custody, control and management of the two airports for a period of fifty years subject to certain conditions. Each airport functions as a self‐supporting enterprise. GOAA’s Mission: Provide safe, secure, customer‐friendly, affordable services and facilities that promote The Orlando ExperienceTM. GOAA’s main Goals are: •
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Exceed the expectations of the Traveling Public with the collaboration of our Airport Partners and the Community. Foster Economic Development for the Region. Operate and maintain safe and World‐class Facilities. Act in a fiscally responsible manner. EAPurpose/Preparation
An Environmental Assessment (EA) “…determines whether a proposed action or its alternatives have the potential to significantly affect the environment.” (FAA Order 1050.1E, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures). GOAA is seeking Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for the: •
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Selection of a large contiguous site at the MCO for future development of high and medium intensity aviation and aviation support facilities. Unconditional ALP approval for the reduction of existing wildlife hazard attractants on the East Airfield site through removal of certain identified wetlands and surface waters. Unconditional ALP approval of the development of a secondary fuel storage and distribution facility that provides a redundant fuel supply at MCO to improve security from fuel supply disruptions related to storm events or other disruptions. The federal actions associated with the above items require that the FAA consider environmental impacts in accordance with NEPA, Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations, and FAA guidance contained in FAA Order 5050.4B, NEPA Implementing Instructions for Airport Actions, and FAA Order 1050.1E, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures. Once completed, the EA will be submitted to the FAA for the agency’s finding. P a g e | 1 Draft Environmental Assessment for the East Airfield Development Area The Public Workshop Handouts and Draft EA for the East Airfield Development Area are available online at www.orlandoairports.net/east_airfield/index.htm. OverviewofProject
GOAA has prepared this Draft EA to facilitate the FAA’s review and consideration of the East Airfield as a site for future aviation development, the reduction of wildlife hazard attractants on the East Airfield, and the development of a secondary fuel supply at MCO. The Proposed Action includes the following three near‐term projects: •
Selection of the East Airfield as a large contiguous site at MCO for development of high and medium intensity aviation and aviation support facilities, medium intensity land uses, and related infrastructure. This element of the proposed action is for site selection and is programmatic in nature. Any future development on the selected site (other than the two specific projects reviewed for unconditional ALP approval in the EA) will require additional project‐specific NEPA review and approval. •
Reduction of existing wildlife hazard attractants on the East Airfield site through removal of wetlands and non‐stormwater management surface waters combined with active wildlife hazard management by GOAA. Necessary associated activities will include construction of temporary access roads, stormwater management facilities and staging areas, clearing vegetation, de‐mucking wetlands, filling wetlands, and grading. •
The development of a secondary fuel storage and distribution facility that provides a redundant fuel supply at MCO to improve security from fuel supply disruptions related to storm events or other disruptions. Necessary associated activities will include construction of temporary access roads, stormwater management facilities and staging areas, clearing vegetation, installation of utilities, and grading. Based on criteria identified in FAA Order 1050.1E and Order 5050.4B, the Proposed Action would not result in any significant environmental impacts. However, the Proposed Action will have impacts on several resources including: •
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171 acres of wetlands and 36 acres of surface water Up to 442 acres of floodplains Habitat for federal‐ and state‐listed species These impacts will be mitigated by GOAA such that they are not significant. HowtoSubmitComments
You may submit comments verbally or in writing at any time during the Public Workshop. All comments (written and verbal) are appreciated and will be considered equally during the preparation of the Final EA. Written Comments A comment form is attached to this handout for your convenience, and additional copies are available at the comment tables and the sign‐in desk. Written comments can be placed in a comment box or mailed to the address on the comment form. Comments must be postmarked by May 14, 2015. Verbal Comments You may also provide verbal comments directly to a court reporter at any time during this Public Workshop. P a g e | 2 Comment Form
Orlando International Airport
Draft Environmental Assessment for East Airfield Development Area
Public Workshop Meeting
April 30, 2015
When commenting, please include your full name
and address. Before including your address, phone
number, e-mail address, or other personal
identifying information in your comment, be advised
that your entire comment - including your personal
identifying information - may be made publicly
available at any time. While you can ask in your
comment to withhold from public review your
personal identifying information, it cannot be
guaranteed that we will be able to do so.
Name:
Address:
Phone or
Email:
Please provide comments in the area below (See back or attach additional sheets if necessary):
Comments may be submitted at the Public Workshop or at the address below. Comments
must be postmarked by May 14, 2015.
MAIL:
Mr. Brad Friel, Director of Planning
Greater Orlando Aviation Authority
5855 Cargo Road
Orlando, Florida 32827
Additional Comment Space:
Fold Here
Place
Stamp
Here
Mr. Brad Friel, Director of Planning
Greater Orlando Aviation Authority
5855 Cargo Road
Orlando, Florida 32827