Interim Fly Quiet Re-Evaluation

The FAA is currently conducting 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) has 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 will examine 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, if approved, the Proposed Interim Fly Quiet would be implemented soon after FAA approval through January 2021, when Runway 9R/27L is closed for extension construction. Runway construction, maintenance, and/or pavement rehabilitation would impact the Proposed Interim Fly Quiet during the 2019 and 2020 construction seasons. It is not anticipated that the Proposed Interim Fly Quiet would occur during construction periods.

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, 58.6B)
  • Part 2 (PDF, 87.2 KB)
• 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 Comments

Public comments are an integral part of the evaluation process. Comments should be as specific as possible and address the analysis of potential environmental impacts and the adequacy of the proposed action or merits of alternatives. FAA will consider comments in preparation of the final Written Re-Evaluation. Online comments and email must be received by midnight on February 27, 2019.

Comment Period:
Monday, January 14, 2019, to Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Comment Process:

1. Submit your comments online on the Draft Interim Fly Quiet Re-Evaluation. You can also upload documents as part of your comment.
   
   
2. Submit written comments, faxes, and emails to Amy Hanson of the FAA.
   
   Amy Hanson
   Environmental Protection Specialist
   Federal Aviation Administration
   Chicago Airports District Office
   2300 East Devon Avenue
   Des Plaines, IL 60018
   FAX: 847-294-7046
   email address: IFQ@faa.gov
   
   
3. At the Public Workshops (see below), court reporters will be available to record verbal comment, computers will be available to provide comments online, and copies of comment forms will also be available.

Public Workshops

FAA will hold public workshops in the communities surrounding O’Hare to give residents the opportunity to learn more about the impacts of the Proposed Interim Fly Quiet analyzed and disclosed in the Draft Re-Evaluation. FAA will seek comments from Federal, State, and local entities, and the public on the Draft Re-Evaluation. FAA will conduct 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 will be 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 will also be available at the workshops.

Note on Translation Services: Spanish language translators will be available at the Public Workshops. If you need the assistance of a translator, other than Spanish, please call Ms. Amy Hanson at (847) 294-7354 by January 18, 2019.

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

Libraries with the Draft Re-Evaluation

The Draft Re-Evaluation was provided to the following libraries to be available for review through February 27, 2019: