osu airport – overview of master plan and draft environmental assessment purpose of an airport...

OSU Airport – Overview of Master Plan and Draft Environmental Assessment

Purpose of an Airport Environmental Assessment (EA) Identify environmental impacts of proposed airport development

projects or actions Determine if impacts are “significant” as defined by the FAA Provide an opportunity for public input Provide information for FAA decision makers FAA Outcomes – Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

or requirement for Environmental Impact Study (EIS) According to NEPA and FAA regulations, an EIS is needed if the

analysis in the EA of environmental impact categories indicates that impacts will be “significant”

The OSU Airport EA has been a very open and public process


Summary of Environmental Impacts and Proposed Mitigation from Draft Environmental Assessment

Environmental Factor Impact With Development Mitigation and/or Permit Requirements

Noise No Significant Impact None required, Voluntary mitigation under consideration

Compatible Land Use No Impact None required

Social Impacts No Significant Impact None required

Socioeconomic Impacts No Significant Impact None required

Air Quality No Significant Impact None required

Water Quality Minor Impacts Required permits to be obtainedBest management practices

during construction

Section 4(f) Resources No Impact None required

Historic, Archeological,Architectural and Cultural

No Impact None required

Biotic Communities Minor impacts to species that utilize forested areas and to aquatic biota

in stream/ditches

None required

Threatened and Endangered Species No Impact None required


Environmental Categories (cont’d)Wetland Resources No Impact None required

Floodplains No Impact None required

Coastal Zones No Impact None required

Coastal Barriers No Impact None required

Wild and Scenic Rivers No Impact None required

Prime and Unique Farmland No Impact None required

Energy Supply and Natural Resources

No significant Impact None required

Light Emissions No Impact None required

Solid Waste No significant Impact None required

Construction Short-term increase in noise and air pollution and

construction traffic

Compliance with FAA Advisory Circular 150/5370-10; Soil Erosion Control Permit;

NPDES Permit

Hazardous Materials No Impact None required


Noise Analysis at the OSU Airport

• Actual noise levels were measured with monitors, under full compliance with FAA noise measurement standards

• Future noise levels have been predicted by the use of an FAA & EPA approved Integrated Noise Model (INM -6.1)

• Analysis designed and conducted with full community input and involvement – Preliminary results reviewed by Advisory Committee on June 23, 2004.


Federal Noise Guidelines

EPA & FAA define 65 Decibels (dB) as the critical Day Night Average Sound Level (DNL)

DNL = Cumulative measure of the average noise exposure resulting from aviation activities during an average 24-hour calendar day

A 10 dB penalty is added to noise events occurring between 11:00 pm and 7:00 am

DNL for non-aviation related community noise was typically 50-55 in test locations


Federal Noise Guidelines (cont’d) Noise Sensitive Receiver = An individual

residence, hotel, hospital, school, church

A Significant Noise Impact occurs if analysis shows that proposed actions would cause a noise sensitive receiver to reach noise levels of 65 dB (DNL) or greater; or if an increase of 1.5dB or more occurs in noise sensitive receivers exposed to DNL 65 or higher, when compared to the no-action alternative


Airport Development Scenarios Existing Conditions No-build Scenario – No improvements at the

Airport, normal industry growth, improved engine technology

Preferred Short-Term Alternative – New south side hangars, north runway extension, normal industry growth, improved engine technology

Full Master Plan Build – Long-term (20 yr.) development, including new north side hangars


Current Noise Level


Noise Study Results

Current Noise Levels:No noise issues exist around the north runwaySouth runway 65 DNL extends into residential

areas27 homes west of the Airport and 4 homes east of

the Airport are impacted


No-build Noise Level (65 DNL)


Noise Study Results

No-Build Noise Level Scenario: Reduces noise due to improvements in aircraft

engine technology 65 DNL only extends off Airport property to the

southeast No homes affected


Preferred Short-Term Alternative Noise Level


Noise Study Results

Preferred Alternative Noise Level65 DNL only extends off Airport property to

the north and southeastThe DNL noise level decreases for the majority

of monitoring locations around the AirportNo homes affected where DNL over 65 dB


Ongoing OSU Activities Performing Due Diligence in Three Areas

Technical Aspects of Preliminary Draft EA Analysis of Integrated Noise Model Inputs and effect on 65 DNL Additional Analysis of Impact on Historic Structures (Section 106) Incorporation of responses to questions/comments raised by EA

Advisory Committee, from FAA initial review, into a second draft EA Fiscal Aspects of Master Plan Implementation Assessing Impact on Community


Tentative Timeline Regarding Airport Master Plan and Environmental Assessment (EA)

February 1, 2004 Second Draft EA submitted to FAA for review

March 15, 2005 Anticipated receipt of FAA comments on Second Draft EA

April 1, 2005 Public Comment Period Begins on Final Draft EA

April 25, 2005 Public Hearing as required by FAA

June 8, 2005 Board of Trustees Meeting – CoE makes formal presentationand recommendation regarding Master Plan

July 8, 2005 Board of Trustees Meeting – Possible Action on Master Plan

Summer/Fall 2005 FAA Review of Final Environmental Assessment


Closing Comment The Airport and the College will

continue to communicate and cooperate with the community and other stakeholders – being sensitive to their concerns and participation in the planning process.

osu airport – overview of master plan and draft environmental assessment purpose of an airport...

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