Trends in Airport Environmental Planning

Stephen Culberson

Ricondo & Associates, Inc.

September 28, 2007

Outline

• History and Background

• Environmental Regulations

• Evolution of Environmental Considerations

• Recent Trends

• Effects on Airport Planning and Development

History & Background

• Began with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other federal laws, orders, and regulations

• Some states also passed laws and regulations for considering the environmental effects of proposed projects

• Environmental effects primarily considered and addressed after planning was complete

• Environmental effects of proposed projects identified and mitigation measures implemented to eliminate or reduce those effects

Environmental Regulation in the U.S.

• National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)

- Established “policy” for considering environmental effects of federal actions

- Required federal agencies to establish guidance and procedures for implementing the Act

• State Environmental Laws

- “NEPA-like” states- Others

• Other regulations such as the Clean Air Act and the Historic Preservation Act

NEPA – Its Application to Airports

• Federal Aviation Administration is responsible for implementation of NEPA for aviation- and airport-related actions and has issued guidance in two primary documents

• FAA Order 1050.1E

Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, June 2004

• FAA Order 5050.4B

National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Instructions for Airport Actions, April 2006

NEPA – Examples of Federal Actions

• Actual undertaking by any branch of the federal government

- Construction of air traffic control facilities- Construction of air navigation facilities- Implementation of or changes in airspace design or procedures

• Use of federal funding or federal approval of use of funds for an undertaking

- Issuance of grants-in-aid under the Airport Improvement Program for eligible airport projects

- Approval of the use of passenger facility charge revenues for eligible airport projects

• Federal approval of an undertaking

- Airport Layout Plan approval- Release of land originally acquired for airport development

Three Major Levels of NEPA Review

• Categorical Exclusion (CatEx)

- Actions that “typically” would not have a significant effect on the environment and no extraordinary circumstances exist

- Smaller scale or administrative actions- Planning projects

• Environmental Assessment (EA)

- Actions that are not typically categorically excluded or one or more extraordinary circumstances exist

- Actions that typically would not require an Environmental Impact Statement

• Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

- Major airport or FAA actions- Actions for which an EA has been prepared, a significant environmental

impact has been identified, and mitigation has not been provided to reduce the impact below a significant level

Air Quality Regulations

• Clean Air Act of 1970 (CAA)

- Required U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for various pollutants

- Required states to identify nonattainment areas – areas where the NAAQS for one or more pollutants is not met

• Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA)

- Established nonattainment classifications in terms of severity- Required submittal of State Implementation Plan(s) (SIP) for achieving

NAAQS- Revised schedules for achieving NAAQS

Air Quality Regulations as they Affect Airports

• Airport development and improvement projects are subject to a number of federal actions

- Airport Layout Plan approval- Environmental approval- Federal grants for funding- Approval to use passenger facility charge revenue

• Certain facilities at and around airports require permitting under the CAAA

• Air quality regulations affect both development and operation of Airports

Evolution of Environmental Considerations

• Began with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other federal laws, orders, and regulations

• Some states also passed laws and regulations for considering the environmental effects of proposed projects

• Environmental effects of proposed projects identified and mitigation measures implemented to eliminate or reduce those effects

• Over time, environmental protection has become part of the planning and design process

• Sustainable measures are now incorporated into project development, rather than merely as mitigation

Importance of Planning

• FAA Advisory Circular 150/5070-6B, Airport Master Plans (July 29, 2005)

“The goal of a master plan is to provide the framework needed to guide future airport development that will cost-effectively satisfy aviation demand, while considering potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts.”

• Proposed development needs to be justified through technical, economic, and environmental investigation of concepts and alternatives

• Master Plans need to provide sufficient project definition and detail for subsequent environmental approvals

Defining Purpose and Need

• Identifies the problem (need for action) and purpose of action (proposed solution to the problem)

• Needs to consider FAA’s statutory mission and the sponsor’s goals and objectives

• Current, technical planning data is required to define the need for and identify purpose of proposed actions

• Information used to develop purpose and need statements frequently includes:

- Inventory of Existing Conditions and Facilities- Aviation Forecasts- Demand/Capacity Analysis- Facility Requirements Analysis

Identifying and Evaluating Alternatives

• Alternatives should be identified in the planning process taking into consideration sensitive environmental resources

• Alternatives need to be identified commensurate with the nature of the proposed action and the environmental issues involved

• Screening analysis typically performed to identify reasonable alternatives

• Alternatives are considered reasonable based on the extent to which they meet the purpose and need for the proposed action

• Environmental and economic considerations can also be used to further screen alternatives

• Alternatives analysis is critical to obtaining environmental permits and approvals

Public Involvement

• FAA Community Involvement Policy Statement

- Provide Active, Early and Continuous Public Involvement- Solicit and Consider Public Input- Use Techniques Designed to Meet Needs of Different Groups- Promote Local Public Active Role

• Should encourage information-sharing and collaboration among the airport sponsor and various stakeholders

• Public involvement needs to be included in the Master Plan process as well as the environmental process

• Ensures that all relevant issues are identified and considered

• Mandatory requirements depending on resources potentially impacted and significance of impacts

Environmental Stewardship Principles

• Ensuring that a need exists that cannot be met in a manner that minimizes the environmental effect

• Expediting the review and identification of environmental effects and mitigation

• Incorporating cost-effective measures into development that minimize effects on the environment whether or not mitigation is required

• Working together to identify innovative means to incorporate the above concepts

• Applying the principles to airport development and operation

Sustainability

Defining Sustainability and Applying its Concepts

• Numerous concepts

• More than just about the environment and “Green Design”

• Industry Guidance

- Transportation Research Board (TRB)- Airports Council International (ACI)

Defining Sustainability and Applying its Concepts

• Numerous concepts

• More than just about the environment and “Green Design”

TRB Aviation Sustainability Subcommittee:

There is no single or best way to define it, but perhaps the broadest definition of sustainability is “providing for the needs of the current population while providing the capacity for future generations to meet their needs.”

“Looking forward longer in-time, and balancing between economic, social, and environmental objectives.”

Reasons for Including Sustainability in Planning

• Meets federal and local requirements

• Reduces environmental footprint

• Facilitates environmental approval/permitting

• Improves relationships with community and agencies

• Enhances benefits to the community

• Encourages integrated design as a way of doing business

• Optimizes new and better technologies

• Results in greater utilization of assets

• May reduce cost of development and/or operating and maintenance costs

Sustainability – Benefits

Sustainability Helps Meet FAA Requirements:

FAA Order 1050:EnvironmentalResponsibilities

FAA ROD Commitments

Federal Memo of Understanding

Sustainability – Benefits

Sustainability Helps Satisfy Multiple Requirements through:

Reduced Environmental Impacts

Facilitating Environmental Approvals

Reduced Long-Term Costs

Sustainability in Practice

• Airport sponsors are already incorporating sustainable measures through on-going programs

- Best Management Practices (BMPs)- Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPP)- Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control (SESC)- Air Quality Improvement Plan (AQIP)- Environmental Management System (EMS)- Emission Reductions - Recycling- Energy Conservation- Water Conservation- Waste Management

• Airport sponsors need to take credit for their achievements

• Sustainability will continue to and play an even greater role in airport development and operation

Programs that Promote Sustainability

• U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification

• Voluntary Airport Low Emission (VALE) Program

• Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and Adaptive Management

U.S. Green Building Council – LEED Certification

• Independent, nationally recognized, non-profit organization

• Developer and administrative authority of the LEED Green Building Rating System

• Purpose

- Guide- Review- Certify and rank

• Certification levels

- Certified- Silver- Gold- Platinum

Industry Examples

Boston Logan International AirportTerminal A – LEED Certified

Indianapolis International AirportAerial view of the new terminal design

Voluntary Airport Low Emission (VALE) Program

• Provides funding mechanisms for meeting air quality standards with cleaner technology

- Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds- Passenger facility charge (PFC) revenues

• Provides means for airport sponsors to obtain Airport Emission Reduction Credits (AERC)

• Increases federal funding to reduce emissions from airport operations

• Encourages early action by providing greater potential for air quality credits

• Broadens funding eligibility for clean air projects

- Ground vehicles- Infrastructure and facilities

Environmental Management Systems

• Originally a part of Executive Order 13148 (April 21, 2000) “Greening the Government Through Leadership in Environmental Management”

• Intended to ensure that federal agencies incorporate environmental accountability into day-to-day decision-making and long-term planning

• International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 is the EMS model used by most federal agencies, including FAA

• EO 13148 revoked as part of Executive Order 13423 (January 24, 2007) “Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management”

• FAA is considering how to apply EMS

Adaptive Management

• Predict environmental effects of a proposed action

• Identify mitigation for adverse environmental effects

• Implement proposed action with mitigation

• Predict environmental effects of a proposed action

• Identify mitigation for adverse environmental effects

• Implement proposed action with mitigation

• Monitor actual effects of implementation and effectiveness of mitigation

• Adapt project and/or mitigation to ensure desired outcomes

EMS may be the tool to applicable to Adaptive Management

Existing Model Refined Model

Adaptive Management

• Predict environmental effects of a proposed action

• Identify mitigation for adverse environmental effects

• Implement proposed action with mitigation

• Predict environmental effects of a proposed action

• Identify mitigation for adverse environmental effects

• Implement proposed action with mitigation

• Monitor actual effects of implementation and effectiveness of mitigation

• Adapt project and/or mitigation to ensure desired outcomes

EMS may be the applicable tool for Adaptive Management

Existing Model Refined Model

Environmental Considerations for Planning and Operation of Airports

• Demonstrate environmental stewardship

• Conduct more robust environmental reviews and understanding during planning process and alternatives development and evaluation

- Understand the potential environmental effects- Consider methods to reduce those effects during planning

• Incorporate provisions for sustainable projects and actions

• Consider EMS during planning or incorporate EMS provisions into planning projects

• Work with tenants to embrace concepts that are beneficial to all

Industry Example – Planning and Implementation

• Developed as a result of Mayor Daley’s vision to make Chicago the “Greenest City”

• Completed in December 2003

• Began early in EIS process

• Well received by regulatory agencies – instrumental in receiving environmental approval

Visit OMP at: www.cityofchicago.org/OHareModernizationProgram

O’Hare Modernization Program

EXISTING Airfield Configuration

FUTURE Airfield Configuration

O’Hare Modernization Program – Vision Statement

“The O’Hare Modernization Program will embrace the best possible

environmental, social, and fiscally responsible practices to enhance the

quality of life and maintain consistency with the overall mission and goals of the City of Chicago.”

O’Hare Modernization Program – SDM Process

O’Hare Modernization Program – SDM Requirements

• To ensure the successful implementation of sustainable initiatives in each and every project:

- The SDM is included in every design contract- Every design team is required to have a LEED Accredited Professional

on staff- Every designer is required to submit a completed SDM checklist at key

design milestones for review- Project designs are rated for sustainable initiatives

O’Hare Modernization Program – SDM Application

• Preferred Parking for Carpools and Vans will be provided

• Native Grasses and Grass Swales to Filter and Reduce Runoff, control the rate of flow, and provide effective first flush treatment

• A Vegetated “GREEN” Roof with natural grasses

• The use of Dual Flush Toilets, High Efficiency proximity Flush Valves and Flow Restriction devices on faucets

• At least 30% reduction from baseline water use

• Minimum 20% Energy Efficiency

• Building products will use at least 5% Recycled Content materials

• At least 20% of building materials from Local Sources. At least 50% of all wood used will be FSC certified

• At least 50% of Construction Waste to be Diverted from landfills

• Low VOC emitting sealants, paints, and coatings

North Airport Traffic Control Tower

Industry Example – Operational Application

A trial at Heathrow and Gatwick Airports – tugging aircraft to the runway:

• 2 tons of fuel saved per flight

• Reduced aircraft emissions 18%

• Estimated 120,000 tons reduction in carbon emissions per year

Virgin Atlantic Tugging Aircraft

Industry Example – Operational Application

Upgrade of 747 fleet from 747-400 to 747-800:

• Estimated to reduce to fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by 16%

• Estimated to reduce noise by 30%

• Aircraft will meet and exceed nitrogen-oxide emissions standards

Lufthansa Fleet Modernization