Federal AviationAdministrationEnvironmental
Prescreening Training
Module 4
Environmental Screening Process Overview
2Federal AviationAdministration
Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
Training Modules1. NEPA and CEQ
2. FAA Order 1050
3. Air Traffic Environmental - Noise Review
4. Environmental Screening Process Overview
3Federal AviationAdministration
Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
Module 4
Environmental Screening Process Overview
4Federal AviationAdministration
Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
• What is Environmental Filtering?– Low level data assessment of a potential for environmental impact– Focuses on information and data collection
• What is Environmental Prescreening?– Low level data assessment in the risk for a potential environmental impact– Focuses on data assessment and various low level tests based on operational,
procedural, and lateral changes
• What is Environmental Screening?– Low fidelity data modeling which must be constructed with low risk of false-negative
results– Dramatic simplification of the of a detailed noise analysis
• What is Environmental Analysis?– High fidelity data modeling used to determine the potential environmental impacts for
multiple scenarios– Detailed noise/environmental impact evaluation
Environmental Study Process
5Federal AviationAdministration
Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
• Possible Outcomes:– Categorical Exclusion (CATEX)– Environmental Assessment (EA) / Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS)
Environmental Filtering
Environmental Prescreening
Environmental Screening
Environmental Analysis
CATEX EA/EIS
Environmental Study Outcomes
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
• Consistent and streamlined process for investigating environmental impacts
• Follow National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements
• Capture key environmental issues early to prepare schedules and budgets accordingly
• Determine if procedure request can be CATEXed early in assessment process
• Exercise very low risk of false-negative impact results – E.g. Actions which exceed noise change thresholds deemed as no/low
level of impact
Environmental Study Process Goals
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
Step 2: Prescreening Step 3: Screening Step 4: Full Analysis
Primary Tool:• Environmental
Screening Filter
Primary Tool:• NST Prescreening
Guidance Wizard
Primary Tools:• NIRS Screening Tool
(NST)• TARGETS Noise
Plugin• Area Equivalent
Method (AEM)
Primary Tools:• Aviation Environmental
Design Tool (AEDT)• Integrated Noise Model
(INM)• Emissions and Dispersion
Modeling System (EDMS)
Legacy Tool(s):• ATNS
Legacy Tool:• NIRS
Step 1: Filtering
Environmental Study Process Workflow
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
Step 1Environmental Filtering
Environmental Filtering
9Federal AviationAdministration
Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
• Tool: Environmental Screening Filter– The Environmental Screening Filter provides a standard streamlined
audit process for stepping through the logic of the environmental process for a proposed procedure change.
• Purpose: – The purpose of environmental filtering is to collect enough
environmental information for the application of a categorical exclusion for a requested procedure approval.
• Expected Time Investment: Minimal• Possible Outcomes:
– CATEX– Environmental Prescreening (further review)
Environmental Filtering - Overview
Environmental Filtering
Environmental Prescreening
Environmental Screening
10Federal AviationAdministration
Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
Environmental Filtering – Information Gathering
• The environmental filtering process requires the following information to be collected in order to properly assess the impact of a proposed action:– Involves an Instrument Flight Procedure (IFP) service provider?– Involves new or an existing Procedure?– Involves procedure change(s) covered under 311k or 311i?– Involves change(s) over major thoroughfare?– Average daily helicopter operation count– Involves change(s) over noise sensitive areas?
• E.g. park, wilderness, residential, educational, etc.– Involves a procedure update?
• E.g. name change, increase in altitude, lines of minimum– Lowest altitude in procedure request– Average annual prop and jet operation counts
Environmental Filtering
Environmental Prescreening
Environmental Screening
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
Step 2Environmental Prescreening
Environmental Prescreening
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
• Tool: NST – Prescreening Guidance Wizard– Provides a standard streamlined audit process for
determining if a proposed action poses a risk of exceeding a noise threshold.
– Requires acquisition of a minimal amount of data to analyze small degrees of change
– Determines if noise screening is needed through a series of questions and look up tables
• Supporting Documentation: – MITRE – Guidance for Noise Screening Air Actions
• Expected Time Investment:– Minimal
• Possible Outcomes:– CATEX– Environmental Screening (further review)
Environmental Filtering
Environmental Prescreening
Environmental Screening
NST Prescreening Guidance Wizard
Environmental Prescreening - Overview
13Federal AviationAdministration
Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
• Required Information:– Avg. Daily Departure
Operations– Avg. Daily Arrival Operations– Minimum Aircraft Procedure
Altitude
• Purpose: – Does the action affect enough
jet traffic operations to exceed minimum noise exposure levels?
Prescreening – Traffic Test
Environmental Filtering
Environmental Prescreening
Environmental Screening
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
Required Information:– Change in Lateral Distance– Minimum Aircraft Procedure Altitude
Purpose:
Does the action move jet traffic far enough to potentially exceed a screening threshold? This test is only for actions where a route is moving laterally and there are no changes in the number of jet traffic operations or altitudes along the route?
Prescreening – Lateral Test
Environmental Filtering
Environmental Prescreening
Environmental Screening
15Federal AviationAdministration
Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
• Required Information:– Change in Daily Jet Traffic
Operations– Change in Minimum Altitude of Jet
Traffic• Purpose:
– Does the action change the altitudes and/or amount of jet traffic on an existing route enough to potentially cause a 3 dB increase in noise exposure?
Prescreening – Altitude / Operations Test
Environmental Filtering
Environmental Prescreening
Environmental Screening
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
Step 3Environmental Screening
Environmental Screening
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
• What is Environmental Screening?– Low fidelity data modeling which must be
constructed with low risk of false-negative results– A dramatic simplification of a detailed noise analysis– Must be constructed with low risk of false-negative
results– Provides a simplified process which determines if
further detailed noise analysis is necessary– Provides a consistent streamlined approach for
identifying potential noise issues early• Tools:
– NIRS Screening Tool (NST)– TARGETS Noise Screening Plug-in
• Expected Time Investment: Moderate
• Possible Outcomes:– CATEX– Environmental Analysis (further review)
Environmental Filtering
Environmental Prescreening
Environmental Screening
NIRS Screening Tool (NST)
Environmental Screening - Overview
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
DNL Noise Exposure With Proposed Action
Minimum Increase in DNL with Proposed Action
Level of Impact
DNL 65 dB or higher 1.5 dB (1) Significant
DNL 60 to 65 dB 3.0 dB (2) “Reportable”
DNL 45 to 60 dB 5.0 dB (3) “Reportable”
Source:1) FAA Order 1050.1E, Appendix A, 14.3; Part 150, Sec. 150.21(2)(d); FICON 1992.2) FAA Order 1050.1E, Appendix A, 14.4c; FICON 19923) FAA Order 1050.1E, Appendix A, 14.5e.
Criteria for Determining Level of Impact Increased in Aircraft Noise
Environmental Screening - Overview
Environmental Filtering
Environmental Prescreening
Environmental Screening
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
Step 4
Environmental Filtering
Environmental Prescreening
Environmental Analysis
Environmental Analysis
20Federal AviationAdministration
Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
• What is Environmental Analysis?– High fidelity data modeling process used to determine the potential environmental impacts for multiple scenarios– Environmental analysis is the final stage of evaluation process for a proposed procedure request.– When a proposed request cannot be CATEXed in any of the previous steps and has the potential risk of an
environmental impact, a detailed analysis is required– After the in depth analysis is complete, a record of decision is prepared stating the final decision of the review and
identifies all alternatives considered in the decision
• Tools:– Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT)– Integrated Noise Model (INM)– Emissions and Dispersion Modeling System (EDMS)
• Legacy Tools:– Noise Integrated Route System (NIRS)
• Expected Time Investment: Significant
• Possible Outcome:– EA / EIS
Environmental Filtering
Environmental Prescreening
Environmental Screening
Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT)
Environmental Analysis - Overview
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
The result will be one of two outcomes: identification of a possible CATEX or the need for additional environmental review.
In both cases, the filter will create a summary of the proponent information entered. When the filter identifies a CATEX, it will also produce an unofficial CATEX Declaration.
Aircraft Procedure Request Environmental Process
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
After entering information concerning a proposed procedure into the filter, proponents will know whether a CATEX is identified and implemented, or whether further environmental review will be required.
Aircraft Procedure Environmental Pre-screening Filter
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
Aircraft Procedure Process
Perform Additional
Environmental Review
Complete/ Update
Procedure Action Design
Publish or Implement Procedure
Complete Environmental Pre-screening
Filter
Review Environmental
Submission
Develop Procedure
Need for New/Updated
Aircraft Procedure
YES
YES
NO
NO
Passed Environmenta
l Review?
No Changes or Changes within Environmental Parameters?
New/Updated Procedure
Published or Implemented
Receive FAA Responsible
Federal Official (RFO) Approval
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
The filter outputs will be emailed to the FAA for review. The FAA will determine whether the filter information is complete and complies with FAA Order 1050.1E paragraph 303C. If the filter information is not complete, it will be returned to the proponent for review.
Aircraft Procedure Environmental Pre-screening Filter
Perform Additional
Environmental Review
Complete/ Update
Procedure Action Design
Publish or Implement Procedure
Complete Environmental Pre-screening
Filter
Review Environmental
Submission
Develop Procedure
Need for New/Updated
Aircraft Procedure
YES
YES
NO
NO
Passed Environmenta
l Review?
No Changes or Changes within Environmental Parameters?
New/Updated Procedure
Published or Implemented
Receive FAA Responsible
Federal Official (RFO) Approval
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
Review of the Filter ResultsAfter the filter identifies a CATEX or the need for additional environmental review, the results will be sent via email to the FAA specialist coordinating the proposed procedure for review. The email will include the following attachments:• A PDF of the questions and responses entered into the
Filter by the proponent, and either– an unofficial CATEX Declaration, or– instructions for additional environmental review,
• Electronic satellite (such as Google) or land use map (if the proposed procedure directs traffic over a noise-sensitive area)
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
If the filter information is complete and meets all the environmental requirements and once the procedure package is complete it is sent forward for development
Aircraft Procedure Environmental Pre-screening Filter
Perform Additional
Environmental Review
Complete/ Update
Procedure Action Design
Publish or Implement Procedure
Complete Environmental Pre-screening
Filter
Review Environmental
Submission
Develop Procedure
Need for New/Updated
Aircraft Procedure
YES
YES
NO
NO
Passed Environmenta
l Review?
No Changes or Changes within Environmental Parameters?
New/Updated Procedure
Published or Implemented
Receive FAA Responsible
Federal Official (RFO) Approval
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
Operations Support Group (OSG)Flight Procedures Team (FPT)The OSG FPT will review the filter results, verify information and ensure the results comply with FAA Order 1050.1E paragraph 303C. The expected outcomes are to:• Produce an approved CATEX declaration to be included in the
procedure package • Send a completed procedure package to AeroNav Products for
development if the conditions for a CATEX are met, or• Forward the procedure package to the OSG Environmental
Specialist (ES) if a CATEX can not be applied • Return the filter results to the proponent to determine next steps
if information submitted is incomplete
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
OSG Environmental Specialists
An OSG ES will use the filter results to verify whether the proposed procedure meets the conditions for:• A CATEX declaration,• An environmental assessment (EA), or• An environmental impact statement (EIS).• The OSG ES will send the results of the additional
environmental review to OSG FPT for final processing.
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
OSG Environmental Specialists
If the filter results indicate that additional environmental review is required, an OSG ES will conduct the review using the filter results as a starting point to determine the appropriate level of environmental documentation required for the action:• CATEX,• Environmental assessment (EA), or• Environmental impact statement (EIS).
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
OSG Environmental Specialists
Third Party Special IFPs• An OSG ES will also review filter results for AFS third party
IFP submittals• Third party applications will be processed the same as others• If further environmental review is required the OSG ES will
conduct the review• If further information is required to complete the
environmental review the OSG ES will send the information request back to AFS to work with the applicant
• The OSG environmental specialist will send the results of the additional environmental review to AFS for final processing
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
Live Filter Demonstration
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
Overview
However, the filter will never be used as a substitute for human expertise in the review process. In fact, human expertise will be essential in reviewing the output(s) of the filter. The FAA personnel who have been responsible for environmental review in the past will retain their roles as reviewers.
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
• Bankert, Fred B. (2009) “Guidance for Noise Screening Air Traffic Actions.” MITRE, McLean, VA
Works Cited
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
Module 1 Review
• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)– Definition, Resources, Applicability
• The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)• CEQ Regulations• NEPA Process
– High level examination of the NEPA process
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
Module 2 Review
• 1050.1– Purpose, intent, applicability
• Categorical Exclusions– Definition, process, extraordinary circumstances,
categories, examples• Environmental Assessments
– Applicability, process, content, FONSI• Environmental Impact Statements
– Purpose, applicability, content• Impact Categories
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
Module 3 Review
• Noise– What is noise?– Metrics used
• Impact Categories– What categories are examined for potential
significant impacts?• Noise sensitive Areas
– What are these areas?– Why are they important?
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
Module 4 Review
• Environmental Screening Process Overview– Environmental Study Process
• Environmental Filtering• Environmental Prescreening• Environmental Screening• Environmental Analysis
– There are many tools that can streamline the environmental study process, that also meet NEPA regulations.
– Environmental Prescreening Filter Demo
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Environmental Study Process OverviewJune 26, 2013
Questions?