Interim Fly Quiet Re-Evaluation

The FAA completed a Written Re-Evaluation of the O'Hare Modernization Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Interim Fly Quiet Runway Rotation Plan.

Since September 2015, the Fly Quiet Committee of the O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission (ONCC) worked with the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), airlines, and the FAA to evaluate ways to improve the existing Fly Quiet Program to reduce noise concerns.

The ONCC oversaw three Fly Quiet Runway Rotation Plan tests to collect data on proposed runway configurations that could provide near-term relief to the highest impacted communities surrounding O'Hare. The results of all three tests can be found on the CDA's Fly Quiet page. In December 2017, the ONCC recommended that the Test 3 be submitted to the FAA for a Proposed Interim Fly Quiet Runway Rotation Plan. The CDA submitted the request to the FAA in February 2018.

In the Re-Evaluation, FAA examined the potential effects of Proposed Interim Fly Quiet on key environmental aspects, including noise, air quality, and environmental justice. It is important to note that the Proposed Interim Fly Quiet would be implemented in November 2019 through January 2021, when Runway 9R/27L is closed for extension construction. Runway construction, maintenance, and/or pavement rehabilitation impacts the Proposed Interim Fly Quiet during the 2019 and 2020 construction seasons. Interim Fly Quiet would not occur during construction periods.

Final Re-Evaluation

The Final Re-Evaluation of the O'Hare Modernization Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Interim Fly Quiet is available online to the public through the following links. For ease of accessing the document, FAA has divided the document into the chapters and appendices listed below. It is recommended that readers download the document to their computers rather than attempt opening the files on the FAA website.

Spanish

• Borrador Reevaluación Resumen Ejecutivo - Spanish Language Executive Summary (PDF, 14.2 MB)

English

• Cover (PDF, 363 KB)
• Table of Contents (PDF, 172 KB)
• Chapter 1 - Executive Summary (PDF, 11.2 MB)
• Chapter 2 - Focus of the Written Re-Evaluation (PDF, 2.6 MB)
• Chapter 3 - Impact Re-Evaluation (PDF, 16.7 MB)
• Chapter 4 - Public Outreach and Community Involvement (PDF, 618 KB)
• Chapter 5 - List of Preparers (PDF, 65 KB)
• Chapter 6 - Determination and Findings (PDF, 114 KB)
• Appendix A - Airport and Airspace Simulation Modeling and Noise/Air Quality Model Input Data Development (PDF, 11 MB)
• Appendix B - Aviation Activity Forecast Review (PDF, 4.5 MB)
• Appendix C - Noise and Land Use
  • Part 1 (PDF, 35.3 MB)
  • Part 2 (PDF, 35.3 MB)
• Appendix D - Environmental Justice Analysis Memorandum (PDF, 13.7 MB)
• Appendix E - Air Quality (PDF, 3 MB)
• Appendix F - Climate Change (PDF, 123 KB)
• Appendix G - Potential Contributions to Cumulative Impacts to the Environment in the Project Area (PDF, 195 KB)
• Appendix H - Public Outreach and Community Involvement
  • Part 1 (PDF, 26.3 MB)
  • Part 2 (PDF, 37.9 MB)
• Appendix I - Response Comments (PDF, 42.3 MB)

Libraries with the Final Re-Evaluation

The Final Re-Evaluation was provided to the following libraries to be available through August 14, 2019:

Draft Re-Evaluation

The Draft Re-Evaluation of the O'Hare Modernization Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Interim Fly Quiet is available online to the public through the following links. For ease of accessing the document, FAA has divided the document into the chapters and appendices listed below. It is recommended that readers download the document to their computers rather than attempt opening the files on the FAA website. Information on Public Workshops and commenting on the Draft Re-Evaluation is also provided at the bottom of this page.

Spanish

• Borrador Reevaluación Resumen Ejecutivo - Spanish Language Executive Summary (PDF, 39.2 MB)

English

• Cover (PDF, 756 KB)
• Table of Contents (PDF, 204 KB)
• Chapter 1 - Executive Summary (PDF, 25.38 MB)
• Chapter 2 - Focus of the Written Re-Evaluation (PDF, 6 MB)
• Chapter 3 - Impact Re-Evaluation (PDF, 54.41 MB)
• Chapter 4 - Public Outreach and Community Involvement (PDF, 456 KB)
• Chapter 5 - List of Preparers (PDF, 67 KB)
• Appendix A - Airport and Airspace Simulation Modeling and Noise/Air Quality Model Input Data Development (PDF, 11 MB)
• Appendix B - Aviation Activity Forecast Review (PDF, 7.3 MB)
• Appendix C - Noise and Land Use
  • Part 1 (PDF, 58.6 MB)
  • Part 2 (PDF, 87.2 MB)
• Appendix D - Environmental Justice Analysis Memorandum (PDF, 74.6 MB)
• Appendix E - Air Quality (PDF, 2 MB)
• Appendix F - Climate Change (PDF, 121 KB)
• Appendix G - Potential Contributions to Cumulative Impacts to the Environment in the Project Area (PDF, 193 KB)
• Appendix H - Public Outreach and Community Involvement (PDF, 1.3 MB)

Public Workshops

FAA sought comments from Federal, State, local entities, and the public on the Draft Re-Evaluation. The FAA conducted four public workshops on:

• Monday, February 4, 2019, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Belvedere Events and Banquets, 1170 West Devon Avenue, Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007
• Tuesday, February 5, 2019, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at White Eagle Banquets, 6839 North Milwaukee Avenue, Niles, Illinois 60714
• Wednesday, February 6, 2019, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hanging Gardens Banquet Rooms, 8301 West Belmont Avenue, River Grove, Illinois 60171
• Thursday, February 7, 2019, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The Diplomat West, 681 West North Avenue, Elmhurst, Illinois 60126

The meetings were workshop style with a room for the public to ask questions to the FAA and its consultants directly, with presentation boards depicting information contained in the Draft Re-Evaluation. Representatives from the ONCC and CDA were also be available at the workshops.

There was also a separate room with multiple court reporter stations for the public to provide verbal comments, on the record, after participating in the workshop. Computers were available at the workshops for the public to provide written comments to the FAA, and printed comment forms were also available.

Public Comments

The comment period on the Draft Re-Evaluation was from January 14, 2019 through February 27, 2019. Comments were directed to Ms. Amy Hanson, Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; (847) 294-7046 (facsimile); online; or via email: IFQ@faa.gov. Comments must have been postmarked and emails sent by no later than by midnight on February 27, 2019.