FAA Formally Pauses Environmental Impact Statement for West Virginia International Yeager Airport Airfield, Safety, and Terminal Improvement Project
Agency will hold two public meetings July 9
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing this notice to advise the public that meetings will be held to provide additional information regarding the FAA decision to formally pause the
proposed Airfield, Safety, and Terminal Improvement Project EIS at the West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW or Airport). The FAA and the Central West Virginia Regional Airport
Authority (CWVRAA or Airport Sponsor) have elected to re-enter the planning phase and conduct additional analyses related to the runway improvements, which may result in changes to the proposed runway project. Specifically, additional airfield planning is needed to assess changes to commercial airline service including flight destinations, frequencies, aircraft types, and airline operators at the Airport.
Following the pause of the EIS, the FAA reviewed the proposed projects to be analyzed and determined that the proposed improvements to the terminal building can be evaluated independent of the runway project. The terminal improvements would seek to improve the terminal experience for both passengers and airport tenants. As envisioned by the CWVRAA, the terminal improvements will make the terminal more compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), improve efficiency of passenger flows in the terminal, upgrade antiquated facilities, and better align the facility for aircraft parking and jet bridge connectivity.
The CWVRAA has modified the terminal improvements originally included as part of the Proposed Action identified in the EIS; preliminary plans for these improvements indicate that the improvements would affect a smaller portion of the existing terminal and pavement infrastructure near the terminal facilities than previously envisioned. The terminal project has independent
utility from the runway project as the terminal improvements will address immediate Airport needs and are mutually exclusive of the construction and operational changes that could occur with
the proposed runway project. Further, it is likely the terminal improvements could occur within the next few years and therefore would not occur at the same time as the runway improvements.
Initial review of the project indicates that the proposed terminal improvements would not result in more than negligible impacts to environmental resources, nor would they trigger extraordinary
circumstances otherwise requiring the development of an Environmental Assessment. Therefore, the FAA believes the terminal improvements can be addressed under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) with a Categorical Exclusion.
The public meetings will provide additional information regarding the EIS pause and revised terminal concept. More information regarding the EIS and the public meetings can be found at yeagerairporteis.com.
Public Meetings
The FAA will hold two meetings for the general public andinterested agencies. Two in-person meetings will be held on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, one from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and another from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time. The meetings will be conducted at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Hotel located at 300 Court Street, Charleston, West Virginia. The in-person public meetings will be in an open house format with project information displayed and representatives from the FAA and the CWVRAA available to answer questions. There will be no admission fee or other charge, including parking, to attend and participate.
Translation services, including sign language interpretation, can be made available during the public meetings, if requested 10 calendar days before the sessions. For additional information, please contact Mr. David Plakorus, Ricondo & Associates, Inc., at 312-606-0611, x680 or dplakorus@ricondo.com.
Comments
FAA will be accepting comments on the EIS pause and the revised terminal concept. Comments specific to the EIS will not be responded to unless the EIS resumes; comments on the revised terminal concept will be incorporated into the NEPA analysis and documentation but will not receive a formal response. Written comments will be accepted at the public meeting and can also be
submitted by email to comments@yeagerairporteis.com until 5 p.m. Eastern Time, Tuesday, July 23, 2024.