NAVIGATING THE NEPA PROCESS Prepared by: Janet Flynn, PennDOT’s Bureau of Aviation Sue McDonald, Federal Aviation Administration September 18, 2018

Bureau of Aviation Overview

Bureau’s Ongoing Initiatives Identify, Assess and Promote Aviation Safety Preserve and Improve Aviation Facilities Efficiently Invest Federal and State Aviation Funding Promote PA Aviation Unmanned Aircraft System - Developing PennDOT Policy JACIP User Group Automated Grant Reporting System – dotGrants FYP Updates SASP Update 4 Year Planning Sessions Public Use Airports Survey

Bureau’s Mission/Goals/Initiatives Bureau of Aviation 3 Divisions Flight Services Division Safety and Licensing Division Engineering and Planning Division

Flight Services Transportation of Government Officials Provide pilots services for photogrammetry mapping Wildlife tracking and surveying for PA Game Commission

Aviation Safety and Licensing Section

Aviation Safety and Licensing Section All Airports/Heliports Require Licensing 131 Public Airports/Heliports Inspected Annually FAA contract to collect data Includes: 16 Scheduled Service 63 NPIAS 6 Public Heliports 2 Ultralight 2 Seaplane Bases 2 Gliderports 548 Private Airports/Heliports Inspected every 5 years 100+ Hospitals / Medical Centers

16 Commercial Airports – ADO Administered

Airport Engineering Section Regional Engineers/Project Managers Provide technical guidance to airports through all stages of project development Review project documentation for adherence to requirements, accuracy and completion

RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECT New Garden Flying Field: - Reconstruct Runway & Improve Safety Areas

Aviation Planning Section Planners Oversee airport planning studies at Block Grant airports including Master Plan Updates, Airport Layout Plans, and Feasibility studies Develop 4 Year Program Funding Plan Ensure that funded projects are justified and feasible

2018 PLANNING SESSIONS PITTSBURGH BUTLER REGIONAL AIRPORT September 10 – 14, 2018    ARNOLD PALMER REGIONAL AIRPORT October 2 – 5, 2018     UNIVERSITY PARK AIRPORT October 16 – 19 BLOOMSBURG AIRPORT October 22 – 26, 2018 LANCASTER AIRPORT November 1, 2, 5 – 9, 2018  

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 BOA NEPA Requirements National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 Actions undertaken at airports which are obligated to comply with FAA grant assurances must undergo an environmental review as a condition of funding. Projects seeking approval for federal aid are required to comply with the requirements NEPA, as well as all other state and federal regulations designed to protect natural, historical, cultural, and archaeological resources.

Why is PennDOT involved with NEPA? Block Grant State Why is PennDOT involved with NEPA? PennDOT is one of 10 US “Block Grant States” PA is a NEPA-like state Acts on behalf of FAA for AIP Grant Administration for 42 Block Grant Airports Discretionary Funded Projects Retained by FAA

What are the levels of NEPA? NEPA Levels What are the levels of NEPA? Memo To Record Categorical Exclusion (CATEX) Short Environmental Assessment (EA) Environmental Assessment (EA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

Bureau of Aviation When do environmental documents need to be submitted? When a grant is Tentatively Allocated; environmental approval must be issued before a grant is issued &/or any construction can begin. When 30% of design has been completed. No RFRs for design are paid beyond the 30% complete without an environmental. Must be completed prior to grant application. Discretionary funded project must be completed by April 30 of the prior FY

Who Prepares Documentation? Who prepares environmental documents and what are the steps? Sponsors/Consultants are Responsible for: Identifying the Need for Action Developing Alternatives Preparing Required Environmental Documentation Providing Additional Data & Information to BOA and/or FAA BOA is available to assist – ask your PM Website - www.penndot.gov/DoingBusiness/Aviation/Planning The airport sponsor is responsible for developing alternatives and for the preparation and documentation of the environmental review.

Environmental Documents Summary of Environmental Documents Processed By BOA From SFY 2017 TO Present: MEMO TO RECORD 10 CATEX 24 SHORT EA 9 EA 1 Letter for Information TOTAL 45

Examples of NEPA Documents AIRPORT LOC ID PROJECT TYPE OF DOCUMENT Corry-Lawrence Airport 8GS Crack Seal and Re-Mark Airfield Pavement CATEX Equipment Purchase MEMO TO RECORD Bedford County Airport HMZ Construct Airport Maintenance Hangar and Office, Apron Expansion and Relocation of the Segmented Circle Near Arnold Palmer Regional Airport LBE Request for Solid Waste Landfill Approval - Proposed Yukon Landfill Letter Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport BTP Remove Obstructions, cut trees to ground level, no stump grinding Penn Valley Airport   Crack Seal, Seal and re-mark Runway Pottstown Municipal Airport N47 Construct hangars, new terminal building CATEX, EA Donegal Springs Airport N71 Rehab - Widen Apron Zelienople Municipal Airport PJC Rehabilitate and Widen RW 17-35 EA

FAA Environmental References FAA Order 1050.1F Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures (July 16, 2015) FAA Order 5050.4B NEPA Implementing Instructions for Airport Actions (April 28, 2006) Penndot Pub 405 Aviation Development Airport Sponsor’s Guide (August 2012) These are the environmental references that guide our efforts to ensure compliance. They are all accessible on-line at the address shown at the top of the slide. Sponsors should all have them readily available and be generally familiar with them. Consultants, of course, should be very familiar with them. 1050.1E Applies to ALL FAA LOB 5050.4B Applies ONLY to Airports LOB Desk Reference is a Guidance Document which provides information on integrating NEPA and Special Purpose Laws

THANK YOU ! These are the environmental references that guide our efforts to ensure compliance. They are all accessible on-line at the address shown at the top of the slide. Sponsors should all have them readily available and be generally familiar with them. Consultants, of course, should be very familiar with them. 1050.1E Applies to ALL FAA LOB 5050.4B Applies ONLY to Airports LOB Desk Reference is a Guidance Document which provides information on integrating NEPA and Special Purpose Laws