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:
Federal Memo of
Understanding
FAA Order 1050:
Environmental
Responsibilities
FAA ROD
Commitments
Sustainability – Benefits
Sustainability Helps
Satisfy Multiple
Requirements through:
Reduced LongTerm Costs
Reduced
Environmental
Impacts
Facilitating
Environmental
Approvals
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
Indianapolis International Airport
Aerial view of the new terminal design
Boston Logan International Airport
Terminal A – LEED Certified
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
Existing Model
Refined Model
• Predict environmental effects of a
proposed action
• Predict environmental effects of a
proposed action
• Identify mitigation for adverse
environmental effects
• Identify mitigation for adverse
environmental effects
• Implement proposed action with
mitigation
• 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
Adaptive Management
Existing Model
Refined Model
• Predict environmental effects of a
proposed action
• Predict environmental effects of a
proposed action
• Identify mitigation for adverse
environmental effects
• Identify mitigation for adverse
environmental effects
• Implement proposed action with
mitigation
• 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
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
North Airport Traffic Control Tower
• 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
Industry Example – Operational Application
Virgin Atlantic Tugging Aircraft
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
Industry Example – Operational Application
Lufthansa Fleet Modernization
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