September 29, 2023.- The BOE publishes today in sixteen pages the Resolution of September 15, 2023, of the General Directorate of Quality and Environmental Assessment of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (Miteco), which formulates environmental impact report of the Garray Airfield Modification project.
The Directorate-General has decided that, in accordance with the factual background and legal basis alleged and as a result of the environmental impact assessment carried out, it is not necessary to submit the project ‘Modification of the Garray (Soria) aerodrome’ to the ordinary environmental assessment procedure. This is due to the fact that “no significant adverse effects on the environment are foreseen, provided that the measures and prescriptions established in the environmental document and in this resolution are complied with”.
Likewise, in accordance with Article 47(5) of the Environmental Assessment Act, this environmental impact report shall not be subject to any appeal without prejudice to those who, where appropriate, proceed administratively or judicially against the act of authorization of the project.
On September 2, 2022, the letter from the State Aviation Safety Agency of the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, requesting the start of a simplified environmental assessment procedure of the project “Extension of the Garray Airfield (Soria)” promoted by the Provincial Council of Soria and managed by Air Pull Aviation, SL, in accordance with the provisions of article 45 of Law 21/2013, of December 9, on environmental assessment, was sent to this Directorate.
On November 4, 2022, the Directorate-General for Quality and Environmental Assessment began the consultation phase with the affected public administrations and interested persons in relation to the project, in accordance with the provisions of article 46 of the Environmental Assessment Act.
The Resolution, in addition to being published in the “Official State Gazette” can also be read on the website of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (www.miteco.es), without prejudice to the obligation of the promoter to obtain the environmental authorizations that are legally required.
The project
The aim of the action project is the modification of the Garray airfield in order to allow operations with larger aircraft and increase their safety. This modification includes the extension of the main track in both headers, which will go from a length of 1,380 m to 2,095 m, and from a width of 23 m to 45 m to the north, except for the turning zones in both headers which will have a total width of 92.40 m. On the sides of the track, up to a width of 75 meters from the axis and on each side, the esplanation will continue with a slope of 1.5%. No extension will be made on the cross-track, keeping the secondary track as it is at present.
In addition, concrete paving will be carried out in a total of 8,575 m2 for the construction of a new taxiway for the main track, a new platform for the location of two aircraft fuel tanks of 15,000 and 20,000 liters, respectively, and a new platform for general aviation parking.
The documentation presented by the promoter indicates that the increase in general aviation traffic is not expected compared to the current one, which is equivalent to about 1800 operations per year of general aviation, of which at least 1000 operations are carried out with gliders (aircraft without engine), with an average daily of 5 operations, although in special events the peak of activity may increase. It also indicates that the modification of the airfield will allow commercial aviation operations to take place, for parking and preservation, which will represent a maximum of between 5 and 20 operations per year, with aircraft of different models, B737 and/or A320 or of less restrictive measures.
The project is located in the municipality of Garray, at a distance of approximately 2 km from the town centre of Garray and 4 km from Soria capital. The site planned for the modifications is the existing airfield itself, carrying out the expansion of the main track to a length of 2,095 m and 45 m wide, where new platform and firm will be built.