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

2. Bureau of Aviation Overview

3. 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

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

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

6. Aviation Safety and Licensing Section

7. 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

8. 16 Commercial Airports – ADO Administered

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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)

16. 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

17. 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 -
The airport sponsor is responsible for developing alternatives and for the preparation and documentation of the environmental review.

18. 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

19. 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

20. FAA Environmental References
FAA Order F
Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures (July 16, 2015)
FAA Order B
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

21. 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