US Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR
WILDLIFE HAZARD REMEDIATION AND EMPLOYEE PARKING IMPROVEMENTS
AT
TAMPA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, TAMPA, FLORIDA
FAA PROJECT #: EAXX-021-12-ARP-1737543402

NOTICE OF IMPACTS TO WETLANDS AND FLOODPLAINS
IN ACCORDANCE WITH EXECUTIVE ORDER 11990, PROTECTION OF WETLANDS
AND EXECUTIVE ORDER 11988, FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT

The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (Authority), in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the wildlife hazard remediation and employee parking improvements at the Tampa International Airport (TPA), in Hillsborough County, Florida. Pursuant to Title 49, United States Code, § 47106(c)(1)(A) and Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, the Draft EA is being circulated for review and comment from the public and federal, state, and local agencies.

Comments from the federal, state, and local agencies, and the public will be considered as part of the Final EA. The Final EA will be submitted to the FAA for the agency’s environmental determination.

Proposed Project: The Authority has a long-standing wildlife hazard management program at TPA to help decrease wildlife activity and wildlife attractants on the airfield to maintain safe airport operations. The Authority proposes to clear and grub on-Airport vegetation west of Runway 01L-19R from the southwest portion of the Airport property northward to Hillsborough Avenue. Additionally, all on-Airport vegetation north of the Main Terminal and between Runway 19R end and Runway 19L end, and a small area east of Runway 19L would be cleared and grubbed. Activities in the cleared and grubbed areas include the removal of all on-Airport vegetation and abandoned Airport-owned facilities, site grading, and turf reestablishment. Existing on-Airport mangrove habitats would continue to be trimmed to an appropriate height (no less than 6 feet) and not removed. Wetlands would be filled with soil material to the embankment level with the adjacent upland to eliminate ponding areas. Site grading would be performed within the cleared and grubbed areas to provide a uniform terrain for mowing and maintenance. All cleared and grubbed areas would be seeded and mulched with Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum) to establish airfield turfing. Approximately 3,260 feet of wildlife exclusion fencing would be installed. Removing the wood and shrub habitats would reduce the risk of a wildlife strike and increase safety at the Airport.

The Authority must meet additional employee parking needs before 2026. The Authority plans to rehabilitate the existing 20-year-old parking lot asphalt pavement with an application of sealcoat and mill, and overlay (as needed) to extend the life of the pavement. Up to 1,000 new employee parking spaces are proposed to maintain employee parking capacity during construction and to accommodate overlapping employee shifts and parking for spare flight crews as aviation forecasts increase.

Summary of Impacts: A Draft EA has been prepared to disclose the potential economic, social, and environmental impacts of the Proposed Project. The project was found to have no effects on Coastal Resources, Department of Transportation Section 4(f) and Section 6(f), Farmlands, Land Use, Socioeconomics, Children’s Environmental Health and Safety Risks, and Water Resources (wild and scenic rivers). The Proposed Project was found to have potential impacts to Air Quality, Biological Resources, Historical, Architectural, Archaeological, and Cultural Resources, Hazardous Materials, Solid Waste, and Pollution Prevention, Natural Resources and Energy Supply, Noise and Noise-Compatible Land Use, Visual Effects, and Water Resources (wetlands, floodplains, groundwater, and surface waters). Although impacts were identified, the research and analysis provided in the EA resulted in no significant impacts. Potential impacts and mitigation measures are described in the Draft EA.

Pursuant to FAA Order 1050.1F and Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the FAA coordinated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) regarding the potential impacts on biological resources. The USFWS concluded the Proposed Project would not adversely affect any federally listed species or designated critical habitat protected by the ESA. In addition, the NMFS concluded that the Proposed Project would have no effect on the green sea turtle. Potential impacts and mitigation measures are described in the Draft EA.

Pursuant to FAA Order 1050.1F and Executive Order 11990, a notice is given that the Proposed Project would affect wetlands. Potential impacts and mitigation measures to wetlands are described in the Draft EA.

A portion of the Proposed Project is within a 100-year floodplain. Pursuant to FAA Order 1050.1F and Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management, notice is given that the Proposed Project constitutes an encroachment into the 100-year floodplain. The potential impacts and compensation measures are described in the Draft EA.

While no impacts to historic or cultural resources have been identified, the FAA consulted with the Florida State Historic Preservation Office and relevant Native American Tribes in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. This notice also fulfills the Section 106 consultation requirements.

Draft EA Availability: The Draft EA is available for public review on the Airport’s website https://www.tampaairport.com/ and at the following locations:

Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Town N’ Country Regional Library
5411 Skycenter Dr., 4th Floor 7606 Paula Dr. #120
Tampa, FL 33607 Tampa, FL 33615

How to Comment: Electronic comments may be sent to David.Alberts@rsandh.com or MHewitt@TampaAirport.com. Written comments can be mailed to either of the recipients below:
RS&H, Inc. Hillsborough County Aviation Authority
Attn: Mr. David Alberts Attn: Mr. Michael Hewitt
10748 Deerwood Park Boulevard South P.O. Box 22287
Jacksonville, FL 32256 Tampa, FL 33622

The public comment period on the Draft EA will begin October 8, 2025 and will close on November 12, 2025. Electronic and hand-delivered comments must be received no later than 7:00 pm Eastern Standard Time on November 12, 2025. Mailed comments must be postmarked no later than November 12, 2025.

The Authority will host a Draft EA Public Meeting on November 12, 2025 from 5 pm to 6 pm and a Public Hearing from 6 pm to 7 pm at SkyCenter One at Tampa International Airport, 4th Floor, Boardroom, 5411 SkyCenter Drive, Tampa FL, 33607. The Public Meeting will include exhibit boards, solicit comments regarding the Proposed Project, and discuss the potential environmental impacts with the Authority and its consultant (RS&H, Inc.). The Public Hearing (6 pm to 7 pm) will be managed by a Hearing Officer, who will collect public comments on the record. The Hearing Officer will not respond to the public comments. All Draft EA comments will be addressed in the Final EA.

Be advised that all comments received, including 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.

Members of the general public attending the Draft EA Public Meeting should park in the Economy Garage and take the SkyConnect train to the Rental Car Center. Exit the train at the Rental Car Center station and follow the signage to SkyCenter, taking the pedestrian bridge that leads to the main lobby of the SkyCenter Authority offices. All guests are required to check in at the Security Desk before entering the Boardroom.

Florida law requires public agencies to provide accessibility to public meetings upon receipt of a written request by a person with a physical disability at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Any person requiring accommodations to attend or participate in a meeting of the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority should send the request to Violet Cummins, Board Services Administrator, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, Post Office Box 22287, Tampa, FL 33622 or via email at vcummins@TampaAirport.com. If you have any questions, please call (813) 870-7869.
10/12/2025 59287