Lake Elmo Environmental Assessment Worksheet 2018

FAA Determinations

Upon the adoption of the Long-Term Comprehensive Plan (LTCP) for the Lake Elmo Airport in 2016, the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), along with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prepared a joint Environmental Assessment / Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EA/EAW).

The EA/EAW was completed in August 2018 in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act (MEPA).

This site provides information about the EA/EAW findings, process and how the community was involved.
On August 31, 2018 the FAA - as the federal agency responsible for evaluating airport environmental assessments for federally funded airports - issued a Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision for the Lake Elmo Airport EA. With this finding, the FAA determined that the development will not result in significant environmental impacts, one of several steps necessary for the work outlined in the document to move forward.

Shortly following, on October 22, 2018, the MAC determined that the EA/EAW is adequate under MEPA, the project does not have the potential for significant environmental effects, and that preparation of an environmental impact statement is not required.

The purpose of the project outlined in the EA/EAW is to:

  • Address failing, end of life infrastructure;
  • Enhance safety for airport users and neighbors; and
  • Improve facilities for the family of aircraft using the airport.

The project is needed based on the following four deficiencies at the existing facility:

  • The existing runway and taxiway pavement is deteriorating and needs to be replaced;
  • Runway 14/32 has several incompatible land uses within its runway protection zones (RPZs), including a railroad and two public roads;
  • The existing pavement and airfield geometry do not meet the needs of airport users and aircraft; and
  • The existing instrument approach procedures do not use the latest available navigational technology.

The project includes the following elements:

  • Relocate Runway 14/32 by shifting it to the northeast and extending it from 2,580 to 3,500 feet, including grading, clearing, and runway lighting;
  • Realign 30th Street North around the new Runway 35 Runway Protection Zone (RPZ) and reconnect to the existing intersection with Neal Avenue;
  • Construct a new crossfield taxiway to serve the new Runway 14 end, including taxiway lighting and/or reflectors;
  • Convert existing Runway 14/32 to a partial parallel taxiway and construct other taxiways as needed to support the relocated runway, including taxiway lighting and/or reflectors;
  • Reconstruct Runway 4/22 and extend 250 feet, including necessary lighting and taxiway connectors