PUBLIC NOTICE
WASHINGTON DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
New Concourse Development
DRAFT SHORT FORM ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AVAILABLE
FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (Airports Authority) has prepared a Draft Short Form Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the New Concourse Development project at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD or the Airport), which includes construction of a new midfield concourse south of Concourse C/D and demolition of the existing Concourse A regional aircraft gates (Proposed Action).
The purpose of the Proposed Action being evaluated in this Draft EA is to (a) provide modernized terminal facilities to accommodate activity currently served in the Concourse A regional aircraft gates more efficiently and (b) provide the passengers currently accommodated at the Concourse A regional aircraft gates a safe, predictable, and enjoyable travel experience pursuant to the Airports Authority’s Pledge to Passengers. The Proposed Action is needed to (a) support the ongoing shift in aircraft fleet mix away from regional aircraft with 50 or fewer seats to larger regional aircraft with up to 90 seats; (b) address operational inefficiencies associated with the Concourse A regional aircraft gates; and (c) improve the level of service for passengers currently served in the Concourse A regional aircraft gates.
The Draft EA evaluates the potential environmental effects of constructing a new concourse and demolishing the Concourse A regional aircraft gates and has been prepared pursuant to the requirements of Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), and Section 509(b)(5) of the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982, as amended. The FAA is the lead federal agency to ensure compliance with NEPA for airport development actions. The Draft EA has also been prepared in accordance with the requirements and guidelines of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, FAA Order 5050.4B, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Implementing Instructions for Airport Actions, and the FAA Order 1050.1F Desk Reference.
This public review and comment period is also being conducted pursuant to the 1987 Programmatic Memorandum of Agreement among the FAA, the Virginia State Historic Preservation Officer (VASHPO) and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (as regards Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 – 36 CFR 800). The VASHPO and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR) have determined that the proposed project would not have an adverse effect on historic resources.
Beginning October 1, 2021, the Draft EA will be available for public review under the Environmental Information section of the Airports Authority website: https://www.mwaa.com/about/environmental-information. Physical copies of the Draft EA are available at the Brambleton Branch of the Loudoun County Library and Chantilly Branch of the Fairfax County Library:
Loudoun County Library, Brambleton Branch, 22850 Brambleton Plaza, Brambleton, Virginia 20148
Fairfax County Library, Chantilly Branch, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly, Virginia 20151
Written comments on the information disclosed in the Draft EA may be submitted by email (preferred) or mailed to:
Thomas Wasaff, Planning Department, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, 45045 Aviation Drive, 3rd Floor, Dulles, VA 20166, [email protected]
All comments must be received no later than 5:00 PM, November 1, 2021. Please ensure adequate time for mailing. Comments can only be accepted with the full name and address of the individual commenting. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask in your comment to withhold from public review your personal identifying information, it cannot be guaranteed that it will be withheld. Comments received on the Draft EA and responses to those comments will be disclosed in the Final EA.
