Public Notice
Notice of Public Hearing and Availability of Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for Southwest Washington Regional Airport West Side Hangar Development Project
May 28, 2013
The City of Kelso (City) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announce that a Draft Environmental Assessment (Draft EA) has been prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and FAA Order 1050.1E, Change 1: Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures to analyze the potential environmental impacts of a plan to relocate airport hangars at the Southwest Washington Regional Airport (KLS). The federal regulatory agency with jurisdiction over civil aviation is the FAA, which must review and approve all proposed facilities and development on airport property to ensure compatibility with safe airport operations.
The West Side Hangar Development Project consists of improvements to landside facilities on the west side of KLS to address conditions that deviate from FAA standards. The proposed project includes: removing and relocating a taxiway to increase the distance between the taxiway and the runway; widening the relocated taxiway; removing existing aircraft hangars that obstruct the Taxiway Object Free Area and FAR Part 77 transitional surfaces; and acquiring commercial and residential properties on the northwest side of the airport to provide space to construct replacement hangars. Taxiway Object Free Areas are two-dimensional ground areas surrounding runways, taxiways, and taxilanes that are clear of objects except those whose location is fixed by function. FAR Part 77 Surfaces refers to Federal Aviation Regulation Part 77, which establishes standards for objects affecting navigable airspace and sets requirements for proposed construction or alteration.
The Draft EA describes the likely environmental, social and economic impacts of the West Side Hangar Development Project. The project is expected to have few environmental impacts other than temporary impacts associated with construction. The project will require the acquisition of eight private properties on the northwest side of the airport. Relocation assistance would be provided to property owners.
Public agencies and interested members of the public may review and comment on the Draft EA between May 28, 2013 and July 5, 2013. The Draft EA and appendices may be viewed the Kelso City Library in the Three Rivers Mall or online here: Kelso Final Draft EA May 2013.pdf. Comments may be sent or emailed to Cayla Morgan by 5:00 p.m. on the last day of the review period at the following address:
Cayla Morgan
Environmental Protection Specialist
Federal Aviation Administration
Seattle Airports District Office
1601 Lind Avenue, S.W., Suite 250
Renton, Washington 98055
Phone: 425-227-2653
Email: cayla.morgan@faa.gov
The City will also hold a public hearing June 27, 2013 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Kelso City Hall Council Chambers located at 203 S. Pacific Avenue in Kelso. The event will provide interested citizens and community representatives with an opportunity to learn about the results of the Draft Environmental Assessment and to comment on the Draft EA. The City will provide a stenographer to document testimony. There will also be comment cards available for attendees to submit written comments on the Draft EA.
