Approaches to Integrating Airport Development and Federal Environmental Review Processes

Abstract

This synthesis study is intended to inform airport operators, including planners and environmental documentation managers, about successful practices used to integrate airport development and federal environmental review processes. Experience shows that when an airport sponsor fails to consider environmental issues during the airport planning process, delays in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) environmental decision-making processes often occur. Those delays occur because the FAA is unable to meet its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) obligations based on the data available. This may result in the FAA having to commission additional evaluation because: a) While the primary project was identified, the projects that were necessary to enable the primary project were not identified; b) Insufficient information is available to support the need for the project; and c) Impacts to resources protected by special purpose laws (i.e., wetlands, floodplains, parklands, historic resources, etc.) were not known and thus alternatives were not explored that would avoid affecting the resources. These issues are often referred to as a between the NEPA process and the steps that precede it. The airport community and the FAA have attempted to address the disconnect with improvements to the guidance and conferences to discuss the guidance and remaining issues. However, disconnect-related issues have continued to persist. In 2008, interested parties presented a synthesis project request to the Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) to examine this disconnect, which resulted in this project research. Seventeen case studies were collected and reported. The surveys and case studies identified activities that airports performed to integrate planning and environmental review processes of projects at airports throughout the United States. Seven general themes can be drawn from the survey work: Early Coordination and Consultation; Knowing Your Airport (know the on-site environmental features); Appropriate Range of Alternatives; Good Lines of Communication; Public Involvement Strategy; Coordinating State and Federal Environmental Review Processes; and Funding an FAA Position.