ELR Citation: ELR 20726
No(s). 80-1751 (4th Cir. Jun 17, 1981)

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals holds that the district court properly ruled that the Federal Aviation Administration need not prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for a runway extension project. The court notes that NEPA does not require an EIS in cases where the agency finds that the project does not have significant environmental impacts, and the district court on reviewing the record is to determine only whether the agency abused its discretion. The court finds that the district court properly held that defendant's "finding of no significant impact" was not an abuse of discretion and thus affirms the district court's holding.

Counsel for Appellant
Barry L. Jenkins
156 Newtonroad, Virginia Beach VA 23462
(804) 497-1849

Counsel for Appellees
Loretta Alkalay
Federal Aviation Administration
Fed. Bldg., Jamaica NY 14430
(212) 995-2815

John F. Kane, Ass't U.S. Attorney
P.O. Box 60, Norfolk VA 23501
(804) 827-6331

John B. King Jr.
Vandeventer, Black, Meredith & Martin
2050 Virginia Nat'l Bank Bldg., One Commercial Pl., Norfolk VA 23510
(804) 622-4381

Before Winter, Haynsworth, and Russell, JJ.