Home | | Railways and Airports and Harbour Engineering | Airport Planning: Environmental Impact Assessment

Chapter: Civil : Railway Airport Harbour Engineering : Airport Planning

Airport Planning: Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental factors must be considered carefully in the development of a new airport or the expansion of an existing one. In the United States, this is a requirement of the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 and the Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

Environmental Impact Assessment

 

Environmental factors must be considered carefully in the development of a new airport or the expansion of an existing one. In the United States, this is a requirement of the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 and the Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Studies of the impact of the construction and operation of a new airport or the expansion of an existing one upon acceptable levels of air and water quality, noise levels, ecological processes, and demographic development of the region must be conducted to determine how the airport requirements can best be met with minimal adverse environmental and social consequences.

 

Aircraft noise is the severest environmental problem to be considered in the development of airport facilities. Much has been done to quiet engines and modify flight procedures, resulting in substantial reductions in noise. Another effective means for reducing noise is through proper planning of land use for areas adjacent to the airport.

 

For an existing airport this may be difficult as the land may havealready been built up. Every effort should be made to orient air traffic away from noise-sensitive land development.

 

Other important environmental factors include air and water pollution, industrial wastes and domestic sewage originating at the airport, and the disturbance of natural environmental values. In regard to air pollution, the federal government and industry have worked jointly toward alleviating the problem, and there is a reason to believe that it will probably be eliminated in the near future as an environmental factor. An airport can be a major contributor to water pollution if suitable treatment facilities for airport wastes are not provided. Chemicals used to deice aircraft are a major source of potential ground water pollution and provisions need to be made to safely dispose of this waste product. The environmental study must include a statement detailing the methods for handling sources of water pollution.

 

The construction of a new airport or the expansion of an existing one may have major impacts on the natural environment. This is particularly true for large developments where streams and major drainage courses may be changed, the habitats of wildlife may be disrupted, and wilderness and recreational areas may be reshaped. The environmental study should indicate how these disruptions might be alleviated.

 

In the preparation of an environmental study, or an environmental impact statement, the findings must include the following Items:

 

1. The environmental impact of the proposed development

 

2. Any adverse environmental effects which cannot be avoided should the development be implemented

 

3. Alternatives to the proposed development

 

4. The relationship between local short-term uses of the environment and the maintenance and enhancement of long-term

 

productivity

5. Any irreversible environmental and irretrievable commitments

 

of resources which would be involved in the proposed development should it be implemented

 

6. Growth inducing impact

7. Mitigation measures to minimize impact

 

In the application of these guidelines attention must be directed to the following questions. Will the proposed development

1. Cause controversy

 

2. Noticeably affect the ambient noise level for a significant number of people

 

3. Displace a significant number of people

4. Have a significant aesthetic or visual effect

 

5. Divide or disrupt an established community or divide existing uses

 

6. Have any effect on areas of unique interest or scenic beauty

7. Destroy or derogate important recreational areas

8. Substantially alter the pattern of behavior for a species

 

9. Interfere with important wildlife breeding, nesting, or feeding grounds

 

10.            Significantly increase air or water pollution

11.            Adversely affect the water table of an area

 

12.            Cause excessive congestion on existing ground transportation facilities

 

13.            Adversely affect the land-use plan for the region

The preparation of an environmental impact statement based

 

upon an environmental assessment study is an extremely important part of the airport planning process. The statement should clearly identify the problems that will affect environmental quality and the proposed actions to alleviate them. Unless the statement is sufficiently comprehensive, the entire airport development may be in jeopardy.


Study Material, Lecturing Notes, Assignment, Reference, Wiki description explanation, brief detail
Civil : Railway Airport Harbour Engineering : Airport Planning : Airport Planning: Environmental Impact Assessment |


Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, DMCA Policy and Compliant

Copyright © 2018-2024 BrainKart.com; All Rights Reserved. Developed by Therithal info, Chennai.