FAA Draft Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) and Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) Facility Relocation at Fairbanks International Airport (FAI), Alaska

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing this notice to advise the public of the availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment (Draft EA) evaluating the proposed relocation of the Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT)/Terminal Radar Approach Control Facility (TRACON) at Fairbanks International Airport (FAI), Alaska (the Proposed Action).

The FAA prepared the Draft EA in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 United States Code 4321) and applicable FAA environmental procedures. FAA has conducted an environmental review to evaluate the Proposed Action’s environmental impacts and compliance with NEPA and related laws and authorities. The Draft EA evaluates the potential impacts of the alternative actions, including the No Action Alternative. Based on the outcome of this analysis, FAA may prepare a proposed Finding of No Significant Impact.

Project Description

FAA proposes to construct a new ATCT/TRACON and demolish the existing ATCT/TRACON at FAI. In addition to the new structures, new underground utility lines would be installed to connect the new ATCT/TRACON to water, sewer, gas, electrical, and telephone services along University Avenue South and to the FAA-owned Fiber Optic Transmission System and other communication cables at several locations across FAI.

Purpose and Need

The existing ATCT/TRACON at FAI is in poor condition and has structural and building system deficiencies that affect safety, reliability, and building code compliance. The facility lacks sufficient space to meet Air Traffic Control mission requirements, and the cab height of the existing tower is too low, resulting in line-of-sight obstructions and visibility issues. Therefore, the purpose of the Proposed Action is to replace the outdated ATCT/TRACON with an adequately sized, code compliant replacement facility that meets the space, height, cab orientation, operational (i.e., staffing and equipment), and safety requirements specified in FAA orders and regulations, and the need for the Proposed Action is to address the existing facility’s structural and functional deficiencies and ensure safe movement of aircraft by providing a cleared line-of-sight between the ATCT and all active movement areas.

Publication

The FAA invites public review and comment on the Draft EA pursuant to NEPA. View the Draft EA. The 30-day public comment period begins on July 6, 2026. The last day to submit comments is August 5, 2026. Comments may be submitted to Jamie L. Groves, Environmental Engineer, Federal Aviation Administration, at Jamie.L.Groves@faa.gov. Please provide your contact information with your comments. Your input will be considered to the extent applicable. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail 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 us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

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FAA Draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment for the Construction of a New Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) and Base Building at Sacramento International Airport (SMF)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing this notice to advise the public of the availability of the FAA’s Draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Construction of a New Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) and Base Building at Sacramento International Airport (SMF) in Sacramento, California. In 2013, the FAA published a Final EA and Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision for the replacement ATCT and administrative base building; however, the proposed project did not receive funding and was placed on hold until it was funded in 2025. The Draft Supplemental EA analyzes the potential environmental impacts that may result from construction and operation of the proposed new SMF ATCT and base building, and decommissioning and removal of the existing ATCT (Proposed Action), as well as the No Action Alternative (i.e., not constructing and operating the proposed new ATCT). The existing ATCT is operating beyond its design life, resulting in increased maintenance issues. The Proposed Action would rectify this situation and involve the relocation and construction of a modern, operationally efficient ATCT providing for uninterrupted air traffic control services, along with a new administrative base building. The FAA prepared this Draft Supplemental EA in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and FAA Order 1050.1G, FAA National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures.

The FAA has determined that the Proposed Action constitutes a Federal undertaking subject to compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its implementing regulations (36 CFR part 800). The FAA initiated the Section 106 process with the California State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), Tribes, and other consulting parties. The FAA announces the availability of, and invites public comments on, the Draft Supplemental EA (PDF) for the proposed project in compliance with NEPA and the NHPA. Written comments regarding this environmental action should be submitted no later than close of business May 4, 2026. Comments may be sent to Patrick Walsh, Lead General Engineer at Patrick.Walsh@faa.gov. The FAA will address comments received on the Draft Supplemental EA within the Final Supplemental EA.

Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision for the Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) Airport Traffic Control Tower Replacement 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces the issuance of a Notice of Availability (NOA) for the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision (FONSI/ROD) for the Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) Replacement at Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD), Rockford, IL. The Final EA [SJ1.1] and FONSI/ROD [SJ2.1] are available to download. The Final EA analyzed the reasonably foreseeable environmental impacts that may result from construction and operation of the proposed new RFD ATCT and decommissioning and removal of the existing RFD ATCT (Proposed Action), as well as the No Action Alternative (i.e., not constructing and operating the proposed new ATCT). The existing RFD ATCT is outdated and operating past its design life. The Proposed Action would provide for a modern, operationally efficient ATCT designed to meet FAA’s tower requirements. The Final EA reflects consideration of comments received during the public comment period for the Draft EA, which was open March 24, 2026 through April 23, 2026. 

FAA Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act-funded Airport Traffic Control Tower Replacement Program

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing this notice to advise the public of the availability of the FAA’s Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) / Record of Decision (ROD) for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)-funded Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) Replacement Program. The PEA (PDF1, PDF2) analyzes the potential environmental impacts that may result from construction and operation of the proposed new ATCTs and decommissioning and removal of the existing ATCTs (Proposed Action), as well as the No Action Alternative (i.e., not constructing and operating the proposed new ATCTs). The PEA considers the conditions and potential environmental impacts from the Proposed Action to replace numerous FAA-owned ATCTs under the IIJA-funded ATCT Replacement Program. Many existing ATCTs at municipal or general aviation airports are outdated and operating past their design life. The purpose for the proposed program is to replace select ATCTs across the nation with modern ATCTs while providing uninterrupted air traffic control services. The FAA had prepared the PEA in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA implementing regulations, and FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures.

Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision for the Proposed Airport Traffic Control Tower Replacement at the Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces the issuance of the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision (FONSI/ROD) for the Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) Replacement at the Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC), San José, California. The Final EA and FONSI/ROD are available to download. The Final EA analyzes the reasonably foreseeable environmental impacts that may result from construction and operation of the proposed new SJC ATCT and decommissioning and removal of the existing SJC ATCT (Proposed Action), as well as the No Action Alternative (i.e., not constructing and operating the proposed new ATCT). The existing ATCT, commissioned in 1994, has several FAA design and code deficiencies including line-of-sight deficiencies. The Proposed Action would provide for a modern, operationally efficient ATCT designed to meet FAA’s tower requirements. The site for the proposed ATCT, administrative base building, parking areas, and other associated infrastructure would encompass a 3.7-acre parcel of land that is adjacent to the existing ATCT and is currently developed for use as a parking lot. The Final EA reflects consideration of comments received during the public comment period for the Draft EA, which was open June 17, 2025, through July 25, 2025.

Physical copies of the Final EA and FONSI/ROD documents are available for public inspection at the following locations:

• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, Reference Department, 150 East San Fernando Street, San Jose, California 95112.
• Federal Aviation Administration, Western-Pacific Regional Office, Engineering Services Division, 777 South Aviation Boulevard, El Segundo, California 90245. Please contact Vincent Nguyen at (424) 405-7286 (office) or vincent.t.nguyen@faa.gov to schedule an appointment to review these documents.