Air Traffic
Environmental
Program
Presented to: GMU Center for Air Transportation
Systems Research
By: Donna G. Warren, Environ. Spec., FAA/ATO
Date: September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
ATO ENVIRONMENTAL
A Short Quiz
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What is NEPA?
What is CEQ?
What is 1050?
Name FAA’s two major computerized noise
models.
What is NHPA/Section 106?
What is ESA/Section 7?
What is Part 150?
What is DNL?
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
2
AIR TRAFFIC ENVIRONMENTAL
PROGRAM
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AT Environmental History & Mission
AT Challenges
FAA National Plans/Reports
Noise Reduction and Noise Modeling
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
3
AIR TRAFFIC ENVIRONMENTAL
HISTORY and MISSION
• Expanded East Coast Plan (EECP)
• Environmental Programs Group
• ATO Environmental Responsibility and
Coordination
• Environmental Policies and Guidance
• Airspace Actions
• Special Use Airspace Actions
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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Expanded East Coast Plan (EECP)
• The Beginning
– Air Traffic Operations above 3,000 ft. AGL are
CATEXed
– Extraordinary Circumstances – Potential for
Controversy
• Air Traffic Noise Screening Model (ATNS)
– DNL >65 dB – 1.5 dB increase (significant)
– DNL 60-65 – 3 dB increase
– DNL 45-60 – 5 dB increase
• Noise Integrated Routing System (NIRS)
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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Environmental Programs Group
The Environmental Programs office is the
principal element responsible for all
environmental matters as they relate to System
Operations for the ATO. This program develops
environmental policy and standards for System
Operations and provides technical advice to the
ATO, FAA headquarters, service areas, and field
offices. It also represents System Operations at
meetings and conferences on environmental
activities that affect air traffic operations and the
NAS.
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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ATO ENVIRONMENTAL
RESPONSIBILITY AND COORDINATION
Administrator
System
Operations
Terminal/
Enroute &
Oceanic
ATO
AEP
AGC
Technical
Operations
AEE
Env. Law
System Ops.
& AIM
Service
Areas
ARP
Commun. &
Environ.
Environ.
Specialists
Service
Areas
Service
Areas
System
Support Grp.
Environ.
Specialists
Environ.
Specialists
Environ.
Programs
Facilities
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Facilities
Federal Aviation
Administration
7
ENVIRON. POLICIES AND GUIDANCE
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National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
40 CFR parts 1500-1508, CEQ Regulations Implementing NEPA
DOT Order 5610.1C, Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts
FAA Order 1050.1E, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures
FAA Order 7400.2F, Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters (particularly Chapter 32)
FAA Order 7400.8D, Special Use Airspace
Airspace Management Handbook, Version 2.1, May 2004 (see App. A and B)
Federal Register, Vol. 65, No. 235, Wednesday, December 6, 2000, Notices, p. 76339, “Air
Traffic Noise Screen.”
Federal Aviation Administration. January 17, 2001. ATA-1 Memorandum, “Change in Air
Traffic Noise Screen Policy.”
Federal Aviation Administration. September 15, 2003. ATA-300 Memorandum, “Altitude
Cut-Off for National Airspace Redesign (NAR) Environmental Analyses.”
FAA Advisory Circular 91-36D, September 17, 2004, “Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Flight Near
Noise Sensitive Areas”
Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 145, Monday, July 30, 2007, Notices, pp. 41565-41580,
“Federal Presumed To Conform (PTC) Actions Under General Conformity” (see Section
III.14, page 41578)
Federal Interagency Committee on Noise (FICON) Report
14 CFR part 150, Airport Noise Compatibility Planning
FAA Order 5050.4B, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Implementing Instructions
for Airport Actions
http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/environmental_issues/
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/aep/
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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AIRSPACE ACTIONS
• Types of Actions
– Class Changes
– Procedure Changes (RNP/RNAV, CDA, etc.)
– Jet Routes
– Airspace Management Program (AMP)/
National Airspace Redesign (NAR)
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
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SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE ACTIONS
• Types of Actions
– Prohibited Areas
– Restricted Areas
– Military Operations Areas/Temporary MOAs
– Warning Areas
– Alert Areas
– Controlled Firing Areas
– National Security Areas
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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AIR TRAFFIC CHALLENGES
• National Traffic
• National Airspace
• National Land Use
• AT Projects w/ Environmental
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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National Traffic
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
12
Potomac Terminal Radar
Approach Control
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
13
Land Use Map
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
14
AT Projects w/ Environmental
• Chicago Terminal
Airspace Project
• Potomac
Consolidated
TRACON
• Phoenix
(successfully
defended in court)
• Boston Consolidated
TRACON
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
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Cincinnati
Cleveland-Detroit
St. Louis
Minneapolis
Las Vegas
New York/New Jersey/
Philadelphia
Federal Aviation
Administration
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FAA NATIONAL PLANS/REPORTS
• Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO) –
NEXTGEN/NGATS
• PARTNER COE (Report to Congress on Aviation
and Environment)
• 2008-2012 FAA Flight Plan
• Operational Evolution Plan (OEP)
• Aviation Forecast
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
16
JOINT PLANNING AND
DEVELOPMENT OFFICE (JPDO)
– Next Generation Air Transportation
System (NEXTGEN/NGATS)
– Environmental Working Group (EWG)
– Concept of Operations (Conops)
– Integrated Work Plan
http://www.jpdo.gov/
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
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Administration
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PARTNERSHIP for AiR and
TRANSPORTATION NOISE and
EMISSIONS RESEARCH (PARTNER)
CENTER OF EXCELLENCE (COE)
Report to Congress on
Aviation and Environment
A National Vision for
Aviation and the Environment
“In 2025, community noise and local air quality emissions
from aviation that significantly impact human health and
welfare will be reduced in absolute terms, notwithstanding
the anticipated growth in air traffic.”
http://web.mit.edu/aeroastro/partner/index.html
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
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2008 – 2012 FLIGHT PLAN
“We are also testing a prototype Continuous Descent Arrival
(CDA) at Atlanta Hartsfield Airport, which projects
immediate savings in fuel while also decreasing noise.
“In short, with NextGen, we’re boosting capacity, increasing
safety, and diminishing our impact on the environment
while doing so. Aviation accounts for less than three
percent of greenhouse gases. In conjunction with plans
for alternative, cleaner burning fuels, new procedures
and technology are lowering the harmful emissions that
are already the lowest of any mode of transportation.”
http://www.faa.gov/about/plans_reports/media/Flight_Plan_2008_2012.pdf
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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OPERATIONAL EVOLUTION
PARTNERSHIP (OEP)
“This Operational Evolution Partnership will
be the mechanism by which we inform our
owners, customers, and aviation community
of our plans and progress towards the
NextGen vision…”
-- Marion C. Blakey, FAA Administrator,
before the Senate aviation subcommittee,
May 2006
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/publications/oep/
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
20
2007 AVIATION FORECAST
CONFERENCE
• Ian A. Waitz, Professor, Department of Aeronautical and
Astronautics, MIT
– Environment may be the dominant constraint on growth of the US air
transportation system
– Twin negatives:
• Environmental impacts on people and ecosystems
• Economic impacts on people through constraining mobility and increasing
costs
• Lynne Pickard, Deputy Director, Office of Environment and
Energy, FAA
– Environmental Provisions in NextGen Financing Reform Act of
2007Federal Primary Focus
• Quieter, cleaner, more energy efficient
• Bring new technologies, operational innovations, and other capabilities on
line to reduce aviation environmental impacts.
http://www.faa.gov/news/conferences_events/aviation_forecast_2007/
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
21
NOISE REDUCTION AND
NOISE MODELING
• Noise Reduction
• Airport Noise Models
• Air Traffic Noise Models
• Other Noise Models
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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NOISE REDUCTION
• Operational Procedures
– Noise abatement departure procedures
– Optimized Approach Procedures
• Continuous Descent Approach (CDA)
• Source Noise
– Hush Kits
– Stage 3, Stage 4, and beyond
• Airport Access Restrictions
– Curfews
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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FAA NOISE MODELS
• Airport Models
– INM - Integrated Noise Model
– AEM - Area Equivalent Method
• Air Traffic Models
– NIRS - Noise Integrated Routing System
– NST - NIRS Screening Tool
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/aep/models/
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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OTHER NOISE MODELS
• HNM - Heliport Noise Model (incorporated
into INM 7.0)
• AEDT – Aviation Environmental Design Tool
(currently under development)
• USAF
– NOISEMAP
– ROUTEMAP
• TARGETS w/ Noise Screen Capability
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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AIR TRAFFIC ENVIRONMENTAL
PROGRAM – Conclusion
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AT Environmental History & Mission
AT Challenges
FAA National Plans/Reports
Noise Reduction and Noise Modeling
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
26
For Further Information:
Federal Aviation Administration
Air Traffic Organization
System Operations Service Unit
Office of System Operations & AIM
Environmental Programs Group
Edie Parish, Acting Manager
202-267-9239
Edith.Parish@faa.gov
Donna G. Warren
202-267-9183
Donna.Warren@faa.gov
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Tina Gatewood
202-267-7685
Tina.Gatewood@faa.gov
Federal Aviation
Administration
27
EXTRA SLIDES
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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NOISE - A FEW FACTS
• Defined as Unwanted Sound.
• The basic unit of measurement of sound is the
decibel (dB). Usually measured on the “A” scale,
which approximates human hearing (dBA).
• Measured on a logarithmic scale.
– (80 dB + 100 dB = 100 dB)
– (100 dB + 100 dB = 103 dB).
• Most day-to-day sounds are between 30 and 100 dB.
• Most people perceive 6-10 dB as a doubling of
loudness.
• Normal conversation at 3 feet is about 65 dB.
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
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Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
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Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
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Administration
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Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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NOISE METRICS - SINGLE EVENT
• Scale is dBA
• SEL or SENEL = Sound Exposure
Level or Single Event Noise Exposure
Level
• Lmax = Maximum A-Weighted Sound
Level
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
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Administration
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NOISE METRICS - CUMULATIVE
• Scale is dBA
• Leq = Equivalent Sound Level
• DNL or Ldn = Day-Night Average
Sound Level
• CNEL = Community Noise Equivalent
Level (California)
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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NOISE METRICS - OTHERS
• TA = Time above a specified level
• LeqT = Equivalent Sound Level for a specified duration
• %TA = Percent of time above a specified level
• EPNL = Effective Perceived Noise Level
• C-Weighted Sound Level
• DDOSE = Change in noise exposure associated with
aircraft operations
• TAUD = Time Audible – Amount of time an aircraft is
audible
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
35
INTEGRATED NOISE MODEL
(INM)
• Model Specified in FAR Part 150 and FAA Order 1050
• Lead Technology for Other Models
• Wide Distribution
– Over 650 Organizations; 300+ Internationally
• Available in Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP, or NT 4.0
operating system
• User’s Guide and Technical Manual
• Limited Technical Support Provided
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/aep/models/inm_model/
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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INTEGRATED NOISE MODEL
(INM) - cont.
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Usually used for a single airport
Used within the airport environment (<3,000’ AGL)
Over 200 aircraft in database
Average annual day configuration
Used to determine significant impacts
– Increase in number of people above 65 DNL
– 1.5 dB changes above 65 DNL
• Produces noise contours
• Current and Last Version 7.0
• Commercial Training Courses Available
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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INM CONTOURS
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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AREA EQUIVALENT METHOD
(AEM)
• Screening Tool - Excel Spreadsheet
• Based on INM methodology
• Used for changes in aircraft type and number of
operations
• Produces % change in contour area
• 17% or more change in contour area is equivalent to a
3dB increase in noise and may signal impact in noise
sensitive area.
• Current Version 6.0c
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/aep/models/aem_model/
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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AEM EXAMPLE
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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NOISE INTEGRATED ROUTING SYSTEM
(NIRS)
• Uses INM aircraft database & computation modules
• Used for large regional airspace changes involving
multiple airports
• Handles multiple airspace design configurations
and alternatives
• For changes at high altitude (>3,000 feet)
• Analyzes change in noise exposure at population
points
• Used for CTAP, Potomac, & NY/NJ/PHL
• Current Version 6.1
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/aep/models/nirs_nst/
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
41
NIRS SCORING METHODOLOGY
EACH POPULATION CENTROID HAS TWO DNL EXPOSURE VALUES
FOR: (1) BASELINE SCENARIO, (2) ALTERNATIVE SCENARIO N.
CRITERIA TO DETERMINE MINIMUM THRESHOLD OF DNL CHANGE
(RELATIVE TO BASELINE DNL):
Baseline DNL
Change in Exposure (Minimum)
References
< 45 dB
45 - < 50 dB
 5 dB
50 - < 55 dB
 5 dB
55 - < 60 dB
 5 dB
60 - < 65 dB
 3 dB
> 65 dB
 1.5 dB
EECP EIS, Air Traffic
Screening Criteria,
FICON
FAA Order1050.1E
and FICON
SCENARIOS ARE COMPARED IN TERMS OF POPULATION
RECEIVING INCREASES OR DECREASES IN EACH EXPOSURE BAND.
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
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Administration
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NIRS IMPACT MAP
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
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Administration
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NIRS IMPACT CRITERIA
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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NIRS SCREENING TOOL
(NST)
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Screening Tool
Replaced the Air Traffic Noise Screening Model (ATNS)
Based on NIRS methodology
Used for small number of route change between 3,000 and 10,000
feet AGL
• For changes involving:
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Aircraft route
Aircraft altitude
Aircraft mix
Number of operations
Time of day
Operational procedures
• Current Version 6.1
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/aep/models/nirs_nst/
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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NST IMPACT MAP
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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NST IMPACT CRITERIA
DNL Noise Baseline Exposure Compared to Alternative Exposure
65 dB or higher
60 to 65 dB
45 to 60 dB
Minimum Change in DNL
With Alternative
Level of Impact
1.5 dB
Significant
3.0 dB
Slight to Moderate
5.0 dB
Slight to Moderate
Noise Increases
Noise Decreases
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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NST RESULTS REPORT
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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ATO-SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL
POLICIES AND GUIDANCE
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FAA Order 1050.1E, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures
(particularly Chapter 3 and Appendix A)
FAA Order 7400.2F, Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters
(particularly Chapter 32 and Appendices 1-10)
FAA Order 7400.8D, Special Use Airspace
Airspace Management Handbook, Ver. 2.1, May 2004 (see App. A & B)
Federal Register, Vol. 65, No. 235, Wednesday, December 6, 2000,
Notices, p. 76339, “Air Traffic Noise Screen.”
Federal Aviation Administration. January 17, 2001. ATA-1
Memorandum, “Change in Air Traffic Noise Screen Policy.”
Federal Aviation Administration. September 15, 2003. ATA-300 Memo,
“Altitude Cut-Off for National Airspace Redesign (NAR) Environmental
Analyses.”
FAA Advisory Circular 91-36D, September 17, 2004, “Visual Flight
Rules (VFR) Flight Near Noise Sensitive Areas”
Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 145, Monday, July 30, 2007, Notices, pp.
41565-41580, “Federal Presumed To Conform (PTC) Actions Under
General Conformity” (see Section III.14, page 41578)
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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AIRSPACE ACTIONS
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Types of Actions
Guidance
Responsibilities
Documentation
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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AIRSPACE ACTIONS
• Guidance
– 1050.1E, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures
• Paragraph 311 – Categorical Exclusions for Procedural Actions
• Chapter 4 – Environmental Assessments and Findings of No
Significant Impact
• Chapter 5 – Environmental Impact Statements and Records of
Decision
– 7400.2F, Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters
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Chapter 32, Environmental Matters
Appendix 1, Environmental Study Process Flow Chart
Appendix 5, Initial Environmental Review (Checklist)
Appendix 6, Sample CATEX Declaration
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Section 2.3.4, Initiate Preliminary Environmental Review
Section 2.4.6, Conduct Environmental Study in Parallel
Section 3.3.10, Environmental Impact Metrics
Appendix A, Environmental Analysis
Appendix B, NAR Initial Environmental Checklist
– Airspace Management Handbook, Version 2.1, May 2004
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
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AIRSPACE ACTIONS
• Responsibilities
– Headquarters
– Service Area
• Documentation
– Memo to the File (VERY RARE)
• ATO/AGC decision regarding usage is pending
– CATEX Declaration
– EA/FONSI or EA and FONSI-ROD
– EIS/ROD
(Note: FAA may prepare EAs and EISs, with or without contractor
assistance, or adopt them, in whole or in part, from another Federal
government agency)
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE
• FAA Guidance
• Responsibilities
• FAA Documentation
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
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SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE
•
FAA Guidance
– 7400.2F, “Procedures for Handling Airspace
Matters” (February 16, 2006, as amended)
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Chapter 32, “Environmental Matters,” Section 32-2-3
“Special Use Airspace (SUA)”
Appendix 2, SUA environmental process flow chart
Appendix 3, SUA aeronautical process flow chart
Appendix 4, SUA aeronautical and environmental
processing summary table
Appendix 7, FAA/DOD Memorandum of Understanding
(October 4, 2005)
Appendix 8, SUA environmental processing
procedures
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE
•
FAA Guidance (Cont.)
– 1050.1E, “Environmental Impacts: Policies and
Procedures” (June 8, 2004, as amended)
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•
•
•
Paragraph 311 – Categorical Exclusions for
Procedural Actions
Chapter 4 – Environmental Assessments and Findings
of No Significant Impact
Chapter 5 – Environmental Impact Statements and
Records of Decision
Appendix A, Section 14 Noise, Page A-60, Paragraph
14.2b - noise modeling tools for use by Department of
Defense (DOD)
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE
• Responsibilities
– Requesting Federal Agency responsible for preparation of
NEPA Documentation
– FAA retains responsibility under NEPA to ensure that
adequate environmental documentation (prepared or
adopted by FAA) supports SUA actions it implements.
• FAA Documentation
– Memo to the File (VERY RARE)
• ATO/AGC decision regarding usage is pending
–
–
–
–
CATEX or CATEX-ROD
Adoption
EA-FONSI or EA and FONSI-ROD
EIS-ROD
(Note: FAA may prepare EAs and EISs, with or without
contractor assistance, or adopt them, in whole or in part,
from another Federal government agency)
Air Traffic Environmental Program
September 27, 2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
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