PUBLIC NOTICE

CHENNAULT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM
EXPANSION PROJECT

The Chennault International Airport (CWF) plans to construct an expansion to its fire suppression system, which is necessary to grow the capacity of the existing system. Airport fire suppression systems involve specific chemical distribution designed to extinguish fires quickly. In many scenarios, large commercial aircraft hangars require fire suppression systems to meet insurance and customer requirements. The current system at CWF is almost at capacity and cannot accommodate additional hangar development, which is in demand. This proposal includes the following components:

  • Construction of a 3,200 sf pre-engineered building to house controls, instrumentation, and a fire sprinkler system
  • Installation of approximately 520 lf of 24 inch underground pipe
  • Installation of two (2) 500,000-gallon above-ground firewater storage tanks, each 52 feet in diameter x 32’ tall
  • Installation of two (2) 400-horsepower diesel engines
  • Installation of two (2) 15-horsepower electric motor-driven pumps and electronic controls
  • A natural gas emergency generator

The proposed project site is located on Senator J Bennett Johnston Avenue in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by FAA Order 1050.1F.  Per Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management, the Airport, and the FAA have determined the proposed project components are located within the 100-year floodplain. The Airport and the FAA are presently identifying and evaluating the potential impacts, if any, on the floodplain. The City of Lake Charles Engineering Department reviewed the design calculations and determined that the project’s impact on the floodplain is anticipated to be negligible; therefore, would not result in an adverse impact on the floodplain’s natural and beneficial floodplain values. The encroachment would not impact existing infrastructure, would not have adverse impacts to the floodplain’s natural and beneficial values, would not have a substantial probability of loss of human life, safe airport operations will not be affected, and aircraft services will not be interrupted.

If requested, a Public Meeting to review the project and provide comments will be granted in conjunction with FAA policy and floodplain review. If you would like to request a meeting, please contact Andrea LaFleur, Director of Executive & Airport Affairs, Chennault International Airport Authority, by phone at (337) 491-9961 or e-mail at alafleur@chennault.org; or provide written comments through May 15, 2024, or 15 days from the start of the Notice Publication. Written comments may be submitted by mail to Chennault International Airport Authority, Attention: Andrea LaFleur, 3650 Sen J Bennett Johnston Avenue, Lake Charles, LA 70615. Written comments from the public will become part of the project documentation.

POSTED: APRIL 24, 2024