FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR RECAPITALIZATION OF AIRFIELD PAVEMENT
AT U.S. COAST GUARD BASE ELIZABETH CITY, NORTH CAROLINA
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) announces the availability of a Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the proposed recapitalization of airfield pavement at USCG Base Elizabeth City, North Carolina. This EA has been prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and evaluates the potential environmental impacts resulting from the Proposed Action, which would involve repairing the degraded pavement on Runway 01-19 and associated taxiways to make it accessible to aircraft. Runway 01-19 was initially closed to USCG aircraft in 2008 due to its poor load-carrying condition but remained open to light civil aircraft; the runway was subsequently closed to all air traffic in 2015. Some areas of pavement would be fully demolished and replaced while other areas would only be resurfaced, depending on the condition of the pavement. Once the repairs to the runway and taxiways are complete, the runway would be reopened to USCG, Department of Defense, and commercial air traffic as was previously authorized before 2008. The repairs and reopening of the runway would not require new approach or departure routes, introduction of new types of aircraft, or authorization of new types of flight operations. The Proposed Action could also include the improvement of an access road on the Base as well as the establishment of a temporary concrete batch plant.
The EA presents the purpose and need for the action, the proposed action and alternatives, a description of the affected environment, and an analysis of environmental consequences. The EA also documents cumulative impacts from projects which are proposed, under construction, recently completed, or anticipated to be implemented in the near future. Based on the findings of the Final EA, the USCG has determined that a FONSI is appropriate, and an Environmental Impact Statement will not be prepared.
This notice announces the availability of the Final EA and FONSI online at https://www.phe.com/2023-ecity-ea. Individuals may provide comments to Mr. Michael West via e-mail at Mike.West@uscg.mil or by regular mail at USCG Facilities Design and Construction Center, 5505 Robin Hood Rd. Ste K, Norfolk, VA 23513. The USCG will receive and consider comments received through January XX, 2024 before signing the FONSI and concluding the NEPA process.
Click to download the Final Environmental Assessment.
Click to download the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
