Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact
Environmental Assessment for Air Traffic Control Tower Replacement at Manassas Regional Airport, Manassas, Virginia
US Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact
Environmental Assessment for Air Traffic Control Tower Replacement
at Manassas Regional Airport, Manassas, Virginia
ID Number EAXX-021-12-ARP-1758268508
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) policies and procedures, the FAA Washington Airports District Office announces that a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been approved based on the findings of an Environmental Assessment (EA) prepared for the Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) Replacement at Manassas Regional Airport (HEF).
The Proposed Action evaluated in the EA includes the following:
Clearing and grubbing of Airport property containing vegetation and trees for a replacement ATCT
Construction and operation of a minimum 2-acre site for replacement of 111- to 120-foot ATCT and support facilities.
Construction of an FAA Remote Transmitter Receiver
Construction of ATCT supporting facilities (employee parking lot, sidewalk, utility pad, utility connections, and security fence)
Relocation of the rotating beacon to the top of the replacement ATCT
Demolition of the existing ATCT
The ATCT Replacement is needed to improve the functional and operational capabilities provided to the Airport. The key reasons for the replacement include the existing ATCT's inadequate height, obstructed line of sight, limited space in the ATCT Cab, escalating maintenance costs, inadequate HVAC systems, security concerns, inadequate facilities, and structural issues.
The Proposed Action will affect approximately 2 acres of Airport property. Although impacts were identified, the research and analysis provided in the EA resulted in no significant impacts to the following environmental resources: Air Quality, Biological Resources, Climate, Coastal Resources, Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation (DOT) Act, and Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act, Farmlands, Hazardous Materials, Solid Waste, and Pollution Prevention, Historic, Architectural, Archaeological, and Cultural Resources, Land Use, Natural Resources and Energy Supply, Noise and Noise Compatible Land Use, Socioeconomics and Children's Health and Safety Risks, Visual Effects, and Water Resources. Potential impacts and mitigation measures are described in the Final EA.
The EA was prepared pursuant to Title 49, United States Code, § 47106(c)(1)(A) and Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures and FAA Order 5050.4B, NEPA Implementing Instructions for Airport Actions. The EA is in accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management. Based on the information and analyses provided in the EA, the Proposed Action would not result in significant impacts.
The Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) indicates that the Proposed Action is consistent with existing environmental policies and objectives as set forth in NEPA and will not significantly affect the quality of the environment. The EA provides information on the Proposed Action and discusses the potential economic, social, environmental impacts, and mitigation measures. The FONSI indicates that the Proposed Action is consistent with existing environmental policies and objectives as set forth in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and it will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment or include any condition requiring any consultation pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of NEPA. As a result, the FAA will not prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for this action.
Copies of the FAA's FONSI and Final EA are available to the public at the Airport's administrative office, on the Airport's project website https://flyhef.com/about/plans-projects/plans-studies, and at the Central Community Library.
Published on 4/23/2026.