Okaloosa County BOCC — February 4, 2014 — Pre-application for Design, Construct and Equip Air Traffic Control Tower at DTS — reading text

evaluation of the impacted wetlands yields a value expressed as functional loss units. Compensatory mitigation plans are also evaluated utilizing UMAM and the benefits provided by the implementation of these plans yield a value expressed as the functional lift units. An adequate compensatory mitigation plan must replace the functional unit loss experienced at the impact site. A preliminary UMAM evaluation of the direct wetland impact of the Proposed Project indicates a loss of 0.40 functional units. Nevelopment of Contract Air Traffic Cantral Tower FAA ORLANDO ADO }FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND RECORD OF DECISION Conceptual Mitigation - As described in Section 8(17){e) of ve Final Focused EA, the County has coordinated three mitigation options with the USACE and NWEWMD during the development of the EA for the Proposed Project’s 1-acre of wetland impact. These options include off-site site- specific wetlands creation and/or enhancement, purchasing credits from a permitted wetland mitigation bank, or on-site wetland preservation. The potential high cost associated with the off- site wetland creation effort, the five year monitoring of the mitigation site to confirm that the success criteria have been met and the required perpetual maintenance of the mitigation site are all factors which preclude this type of mitigation plan from being a viable option considering the County's budget. In addition, the preferred mitigation option of the regulatory agencies is the use of a permitted wetland mitigation bank. In order to utilize a wetland mitigation bank, the project impacts must be located within the Service Area of a permitted bank. The Airport is not located within a mitigation bank service area. Therefore, these two options were not further considered by the County as feasible wetland mitigation. bsequent loss Based on the a, the County As a result of the Proposed Project’s potential fo impact an acre of wetland and a su of approximately 0.40 functional units, the County proposes on-site preservation. coordination with the USACE and NWFWMPD and the significant on-site wetland are proposes an on-site wetland preservation easement to mitigate for the potential 1-acre wetland impact of the Proposed Project. ion would be implemented with the minimum mitigation required. In order to off-set the loss of 0.40 functional units, approximately 20-30 acres of on-site wetland area would be placed into a perpetual easement between the County and the NWFWMD. This area includes a portion of the eastern edge of the on-site wetland area, away from the airport operating area. The wetland preservation area would be on average approximately 150 feet wide, between the eastern edge of the on-site wetland and the residents living southwest of Indian Trail Road, This area would be a vegetative buffer area for local residents from perceived aviation noise and visual impacts. Under a perpetual easement, the Airport would not develop this area in the future but, would continue to manage the area to reduce any potential wildlife hazards. The conceptual wetland mitigation would not affect the development of a perimeter access road (per the approved ALP). In addition, this conceptual mitigation plan would also continue to provide the County the flexibility to propose future development east of the runway continue to meet their FAA grant assurances to promote the growth and development of the Airport. The conceptual wetland preservat Based on the conceptual mitigation described above, the County will develop a specific mitigation plan to the satisfaction of the USACE, during the permitting processes, Coordination with the USACE, NWEMD, and the FAA will continue and the development and implementation of the final mitigation plan will provide sufficient wetland functional unit replacement value per the UMAM evaluation. ssn a ET eA ENE TA MA NR NY TE PAPE RE EEE TS nd mee Destin Alrport Development of Contract Ale Traffic Control Tower Paras DY FAA ORLANDO ADO J FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND RECORD OF DECISION PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND AGENCY COORDINATION The following provides a summary of the Public Involvement and Agency Coordination efforts that took place during the preparation of the Focused EA. FAA/Okaloosa_ County/Stakeholders Comparative Safety Assessment Panel — A meeting for the Comparative Safety Assessment portion of the ATCT Siting Study was held on September 22, 2011. The Safety Risk Management Panel included four SMS trained individuals, and representatives from FAA, Eglin AFB, Hulburt Air Force, Okaloosa County Airports, and Reynolds, Smith and Hills, (RS&H), The Safety Risk Management Panel used and validated the Preliminary Hazard List and discussed hazard identification. EA Early Coordination - On October 31, 2012, Okaloosa County Airports distributed an early coordination package to various Federal, state, and local agencies. The packet discussed the preparation of a Focused EA for the proposed ATCT, discussed a request for any relevant information that any agency may have regarding the project site and/or environs, and provided the opportunity for agencies to comment on the Proposed Project's potential environmental, social, and economic issues. ris considered and used appropriate information collected from the early chment B-1 for the dence received Okaloosa County Airpo coordination effort during the preparation of this Focused EA (see Atta coordination packet and distribution list), Attachment B-2 includes correspon regarding the Proposed Project. Draft EA Public Outreach — The Draft Focused EA was available for public review and comments between March 15, 2013 and April 16, 2013. Copies of the Draft Focused EA were on the Airport's website (www. flydts.com) and at the following locations: 1. Destin Library 150 Sibert Avenue Destin, FL 32541 2. Northwest Florida Regional Airport 1701 State Road 85 North Eglin Air Force Base, FL. 32542 ocused EA for the VFR ATCT at Destin Annex on April 4, 2013. Sixteen people n Log, Okaloosa Economic Development Airports, and RS&H. A public workshop was held with regard to the Draft F Airport. This meeting was held at the Destin City Hall attended the workshop. Attendees represented the Desti Committee, City of Destin, Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), Okaloosa County ‘ORDERS NETEREE TERME ANSTO OR SURE SR EE RN ENTREE eater RENT es Destin Airport Development of Contract Air Traffic Controi Tower Page 29 FAA ORLANDO ADO [FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND RECORD OF DECISION A brief presentation was given to attendees at the beginning of the workshop. Mr. Tracy Stage, Okaloosa County Airports Deputy Director, began the presentation with a brief overview of recent activities at the Destin Airport and the work done to-date for the proposed VFR ATCT. Mr, Stage also mentioned the potential closing of various Contract Towers throughout Florida and the potential implications for the proposed ATCT at Destin Airport. Mr. Ken Ibold and Mr. David Alberts of RS&H continued the presentation by providing further information to attendees on the Draft Focused EA. Attendees were also informed where they could review a hard copy of the Draft Focused EA, where to send comments, and the deadline for submitting their comments. There did not appear to be any conflict among attendees over this Proposed Project. Attendees were provided the opportunity to review exhibits, ask questions, and/or leave comments in an informal setting. Attendees were provided with handouts and comment forms to take home. One question was asked which dealt with the recent news articles about the closing of Contract Towers and what would happen to the money that Okaloosa County Airports has for the construction of the proposed VFR ATCT. Mr. Stage replied that based on recent events, the County would be discussing this issue. No other agency or public comments were recelved on the Draft EA. he Final Public Workshop materials for the Draft Focused EA are contained in Atlachmert C of Focused EA. STRESSED TIRY sep nae See 6 SST ATOR Se TN PETES SPE atin TARR NE Destin Airport Developmant of Contract Air Traffic Cantrol Tower Rage 21 FAA ORLANDO ADO {FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND RECORD OF DECISION FEDERAL FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT After careful consideration of the facts contained herein, and in the attached Final Focused EA, the undersigned finds that the proposed Federal action is consistent with existing national environmental policies and objectives as set forth in section 101 of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. §4331(a) and other applicable environmental requirements and will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment or otherwise Include any condition requiring consultation pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of NEPA. As a result, the FAA issues this Finding of No Significant Impact determining that an Environmental Impact Statement for this action is not necessary. of APPROVED:__ /htAdu lif Myf DATE: 2/ a uf L2 DISAPPROVED: DATE: — Aton ae tie ss eras Development of Contract Air Traffic Control Towar Page 22 FAA ORLANDO ADO |FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND RECORD OF DECISION RECORD OF DECISION AND ORDER | have carefully considered the FAA's statutory mandate to ensure the safe and efficient use of the national airspace system as well as the other aeronautical goals and objectives discussed in the attached Final Focused EA. My review af the Focused EA and determination regarding issuance of the FONSI included evaluation of the purpose and need that the Proposed Project would serve, the alternate means of achieving the purpose and need, the environmental impacts associated with these alternatives, and any mitigation necessary to preserve and enhance the human, cultural, and natural environment. Under the authority delegated to me by the FAA Administrator, | find the Proposed Project described in the Final Focused EA is reasonably supported. |, therefore, direct that action be taken to carry forward the necessary agency actions discussed in the Final Focused EA and in the attached FONSI. This Record of Decision (ROD) represents the FAA's final decision and approval for the actions identified in the Final Focused EA and constitutes a final order of the FAA Administrator subject to review by the Courts of Appeal of the United States in accordance with the provisions of 49 U.S.C. §46110. Any party seeking to stay implementation of the ROD must file an application with the FAA prior to seeking judicial relief, as provided in Rule 18(a) of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. of ee wt « Grae ra = 4 we APPROVED: ff ELL — TN ecaget DATE: 7 /2 f (20 £3 Name: Bart Vernace, p. Title: Manager, FAA Orlando Airports District Office Address: 5950 Hazeltine National Drive, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32822 Telephone: 407-812-6331 DISAPPROVED: DATE: Name: Title: Address: Telephone: sberepreancreeo tes penetra negra a eh ORS SN NEG UAE TIS RAN BEET eee UFR SET SIE RRL ENE Destin Airport Development of Contract Air Traffic Control Tower Pare 24 RICK SCOTT FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION JENNIFER CARROLL MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS BUILDING LT. GOVERNOR 3900 COMMONWEALTH BOULEVARD AERSCHELT VINVARDIR TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-3000 Fee ETARY: December 19, 2012 Mr. David Alberts Southeast Region Environmental Service Group Leader Reynolds, Smith and Hills 10748 Deerwood Park Boulevard South Jacksonville, FL 32256-0597 RE: Federal Aviation Administration — Scoping Notice — Construct New Air Traffic Control Tower at Destin Airport — Destin, Okaloosa County, Florida. SAI # FL201211066409 Dear Mr, Alberts: The Florida State Clearinghouse has coordinated a review of the subject public notice under the following authorities: Presidential Executive Order 12372; § 403.061(42), Florida Statutes; the Coastal Zone Management Act, 16 U.S.C. §§ 1451-1464, as amended;