Final Environmental Assessment for Crosswind Runway Relocation  

Final EA and FAA Finding Published 

In January 2025, the City of New Ulm published a draft federal Environmental Assessment (EA) for the New Ulm Municipal Airport Turf Crosswind Runway Relocation. In accordance with its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) required the City to complete an EA. During the EA process, the City and its airport consultant evaluated the environmental, economic, and social impacts of the proposed development. The results of the analysis were published in a Draft EA document, which was made available for public review and comment from January 25 to February 24, 2025. No public comments were received. The City’s airport consultant finalized the document and has published the Final EA.

As the lead agency responsible for this EA, the FAA issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) in May 2025. Based on the analysis in the Final EA, the FAA determined that the City’s proposed project will not result in significant impacts to resources identified in accordance with FAA Orders 1050.1F and 5050.4B. Therefore, an environmental impact statement will not be prepared, and the project can proceed into design and construction.

The Final EA, Appendices, and FONSI are linked below.

Final EA Report

Final Federal Environmental Assessment for Crosswind Runway Relocation

Final EA Appendices

Combined Appendices for Final Federal Environmental Assessment for ULM Crosswind Runway Relocation 

FAA Finding (FONSI)

FAA Finding of No Significant Impact for ULM Crosswind Runway Relocation

About the Project

The City of New Ulm, as the Airport Sponsor, intends to undertake a project that consists of relocating the existing turf crosswind runway as proposed by the 2023 Airport Master Plan. The United States Congress directed funding to the City of New Ulm for this project which includes designing and constructing a new turf crosswind Runway 9/27 along with associated storm water infrastructure and decommissioning the existing turf crosswind Runway 4/22. The project will impact approximately 0.05 acres of delineated wetland. This project is consistent with the airport zoning that was previously approved by the Joint Airport Zoning Board in July 2022.  Final design began in July of 2025.  Bids are expected to be opened in March of 2026 with construction commencing in the summer of 2026.