The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces that a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) Replacement Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) is available for public review and comment. The Draft EA is tiered from the FAA's Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) approved in September 2023 and considers the conditions and potential environmental impacts to replace the FAA-owned RFD ATCT with a new modern facility. Commissioned in 1958, the existing ATCT is outdated and a replacement ATCT would enable the installation of modern and required air traffic control equipment. This replacement ATCT would provide adequate space and an enhanced work environment for FAA personnel, lower operating costs, and decrease energy consumption. The Draft EA analyzes the potential environmental impacts that may result from construction and operation of the proposed new ATCT and decommissioning and removal of the existing ATCT, as well as a no action alternative (i.e., not constructing and operating the new ATCT). The FAA has determined that the Proposed Action constitutes a Federal undertaking subject to compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its implementing regulations (36 CFR part 800). This notice announces the opportunity for the public to comment on the FAA's efforts to comply with the NHPA and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Draft EA is available for review on the FAA project website (http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/atf). The FAA is accepting written comments on the Draft EA until close of business on April 24, 2026. Comments may be made to Aaron Comrov, Aaron.Comrov@faa.gov. The FAA will address comments received on the Draft EA within the Final EA. March 24 2026 LILS0481322