Environmental Assessment
Project Introduction
The Waukegan Port District, owner of the Waukegan National Airport (UGN), is proposing to construct various airfield and landside improvement projects over the next several years, as depicted on the Sponsor’s Proposed Action Exhibit. See Sponsor’s Proposed Action link below. These improvements are to meet airport design requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). UGN is working with the FAA in the development of a Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) to evaluate the potential impacts of the proposed development. The DEA is required to follow the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was enacted by Congress and signed by President Nixon in 1970. NEPA is a US environmental law that promotes the enhancement of the environment and established the President’s Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). NEPA requires Federal agencies, such as the FAA, to assess the environmental effects of proposed Federal actions prior to making decisions. There are several levels of NEPA review such as a Categorical Exclusion, an Environmental Assessment, or an Environmental Impact Statement. The Waukegan Replacement Runway 5-23 Program will be reviewed as an Environmental Assessment. The following are links to various NEPA criteria documents for your review.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
FAA Order 1050.1F – Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures
Public Involvement
This Environmental Assessment Project Website provides everyone (airport users, local governments, commercial establishments, and most importantly the general public) information on the project and its status. Public involvement is an important part of this process, and you can reach out through this website (Contact Us) to ask questions and provide comments about the project. As environmental documents are prepared, reviewed, and accepted, they will be uploaded to this site for public review.
Early Coordination Notification Letters
Early coordination of a project with resource agencies, project stakeholders and the public, will ensure an EA addresses the appropriate potential environmental resource impacts. Below please find links to Early Coordination Notification Letters that have been sent to potential Cooperating Agencies, Consulting Agencies, and Landowners in the Project Area. The purpose of these letters is to notify everyone of this project and its forthcoming EA. It is anticipated that certain environmental resources such as wetlands, floodplains, habitat for threatened and/or endangered species, and streams could be impacted by the proposed action. As a part of this early coordination process, we are seeking any comments on potential environmental concerns with the proposed improvements at UGN that should be addressed as a part of the EA. Comments can be provided through the Contact Us links on this site.
Draft Environmental Assessment Report
An Environmental Assessment, as stated by the President’s Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), “is a ‘concise document’ that takes a ‘hard look’ at expected environment effects of a proposed action”. FAA may prepare an EA on any action at any time to assist agency (FAA) planning and decision making (40 CFR 1501.3(b)). The responsible FAA official uses the EA to meet the requirements of this Order (5050.4B) and NEPA as the basis for recommending the issuance of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) or the preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS). FAA requires an EA to unconditionally approve an Airport Layout Plan (ALP) depicting a proposed runway at an existing airport that is not located in a Metropolitan Statistical Area or a request to use AIP funds or a PFC to finance that project. The Waukegan National Airport’s Sponsor’s Proposed Action anticipates using AIP funds for the development.
The normal format of an Environmental Assessment includes: a Purpose and Need Chapter; Proposed Action Chapter; Alternatives Chapter; Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences Chapter; and Public Outreach Chapter. A draft copy of the Environmental Assessment (DEA) will be available for public review and comment.
Environmental Assessment (Coming Soon)
Draft Environmental Assessment Report Viewing Locations
Documents coming soon
Public Hearing Notice
Documents coming soon
Public Hearing Process
Documents coming soon
Post Public Hearing Process
Documents coming soon
Contact Us
General Contact Waukegan National AirportAddress: 2601 Plane Rest Drive, Waukegan, IL 60087
Phone: 847-244-0055 Submit Questions and Comments Environmental Assessment Project Team
Email: WaukeganEAComments@projectpublicmeeting.com
