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Notice

Notice of Availability of the Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment and FONSI/ROD

A Notice by the Federal Aviation Administration on 07/30/2026

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Published Document: 2026-15417 (91 FR 48208)

This document has been published in the Federal Register. Use the PDF linked in the document sidebar for the official electronic format.

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Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
( printed page 48208)

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT

ACTION:

Notice of availability.

SUMMARY:

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces the availability of the Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)/Record of Decision (ROD), following the FAA's evaluation of the potential environmental effects of its decision related to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) (drone) package delivery operations in the United States.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For questions concerning this action, contact AFS-700 Emerging Technologies Division, Office of Safety Standards, Flight Standards Service; email: .

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The final PEA evaluates the reasonably foreseeable environmental impacts of UAS (drone) package delivery operations in the United States. The proposed action analyzed in the final PEA is for drone operators conducting commercial drone package deliveries under 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 135.

The FAA prepared the final PEA in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 United States Code [U.S.C.] 4321 et seq.), USDOT Order 5610.1D DOT's Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts, and FAA Order 1050.1G FAA National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures. The final PEA evaluates the potential impacts of the proposed action and no action alternative to all environmental impact categories identified in FAA Order 1050.1.G. A notice of availability of the draft PEA and request for comments was published in the Federal Register on December 9, 2025. Upon request, the public comment period was extended by fifteen days for a total of forty-five days, ending on January 23, 2026. Based on the FAA's review and analysis and consideration of comments, the FAA has determined that, with implementation of the mitigation measures provided in the final PEA, the proposed action would not result in significant impacts.

The FONSI/ROD and final PEA are available to view and download electronically at https://www.faa.gov/​uas/​advanced_​operations/​nepa_​and_​drones/​. The documentation is available from any internet access including from computers freely available at public libraries.

Issued in Washington, DC, on July 28, 2026.

Derek W. Hufty,

Manager, General Aviation and Commercial Branch, Emerging Technologies Division, Office of Safety Standards, Flight Standards Service.

[FR Doc. 2026-15417 Filed 7-29-26; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Published Document: 2026-15417 (91 FR 48208)