Environmental Impacts of Pirport Operations, Maintenance, and Expansion (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised March 31, 2008 |
| Report Number |
RL33949 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Linda Luther, Resources, Science, and Industry Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
Funding authorization for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs set forth in the Vision 100âCentury of Aviation Reauthorization Act (P.L. 108-176, hereinafter referred to as "Vision 100") expired at the end of FY2007. During the current reauthorization process, methods to address the environmental impacts associated with airport operations and expansion are being debated. This issue is important to various stakeholders, particularly those whose health, property values, and quality of life may be affected by such impacts. The concerns of community members and local, state, and tribal agencies regarding environmental impacts have led to the delay and cancellation of some airport expansion projects.
To address these concerns, airports may be required to implement projects that would minimize the environmental impacts of their operations. Some of these projects qualify for federal funding. For example, in its FY2008 budget, the FAA requested $354 million to meet its "Environmental Stewardship" goals. Projects funded under this category address the environmental impacts of airports, primarily to abate airport noise (e.g., soundproofing homes or purchasing noise barriers). Among other uses, funds may be spent on projects to minimize water quality impacts (e.g., funding projects that would control the discharge of deicing chemicals) and to reduce airport-controllable air emissions (e.g., purchasing alternative fuel vehicles to replace the airport's ground services equipment). Funds also are authorized for researching new aircraft technology that would reduce noise and air emissions.
The anticipated growth in air travel has heightened the significance and complexity of some environmental regulatory issues. Also, several new requirements are expected to affect airport operations (in terms of procedural changes and potential investment in infrastructure). The most significant issues include changes to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards applicable to deicing operations and oil spill prevention procedures, as well as state and local agency directives to monitor and control air pollution, particularly toxic air pollutants.
The FAA has proposed legislation to reauthorize FAA funding (H.R. 1356 and S. 1076, the Next Generation Air Transportation System Financing Reform Act of 2007, introduced by request). On May 3, 2007, the Senate reported its own bill (S. 1300, the Aviation Investment and Modernization Act of 2007). On September 20, 2007, the House passed its version (H.R. 2881, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007). The bills include provisions that would fund environment-related research; fund grant programs to mitigate environmental impacts; fund grant programs to help airports with environmental regulatory compliance; and amend existing noise requirements.
To better understand the need for funding for environment-related airport projects, this report provides an overview of noise, water quality, and air quality issues associated with airport operations. Also discussed are the environmental review requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and the environmental provisions in proposed legislation to reauthorize FAA programs.
