Source - Vi.potsdam.ny.us - Potsdam

Potsdam Municipal Airport - Master Plan – Phase 1 Report
Guidelines used in preparing this overview include the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) Order 5050.4B, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Implementing Instructions for Airport Actions, dated April 28, 2006, which sets forth
procedures based on the Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations
implementing the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Order
5050.4B supplements FAA Order 1050.1E, Environmental Impacts: Policies and
Procedures, which provides all FAA organizations with policies and procedures for
complying with NEPA and CEQ regulations. This environmental overview does not
replace environmental documents such as an environmental assessment (EA) or an
environmental impact statement (EIS) that may be required for the proposed actions
resulting from this study. To obtain environmental clearance for any proposed
projects at the Airport, a full environmental evaluation document prepared in
accordance with United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) policy, FAA
Order 5050.4B, FAA Order 1050.1E, CEQ Regulations, and the New York State
Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) will be necessary.
The environmental discussion that follows focuses on describing the current
environmental conditions within the Airport and its environs. Discussion of
environmental impacts and associated mitigation is not covered in this section as
these topics typically relate to specific actions proposed in the Master Plan. Impacts
and mitigation will be addressed during the preparation of the appropriate
environmental clearance document.
2.04-1 Noise
The existing and forecast levels of traffic are below the current threshold of
significance (90,000 annual propeller aircraft operations or 700 annual jet operations)
for environmental analysis on federally-aided projects, as defined by FAA Order
1050.1E.
The Village of Potsdam noted that “the frequency of flights does not at present
generate significant noise pollution or pose any kind of health or safety threat to the
public. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
Region 6 noted that “significant increased air traffic at the facility could result in
noise issues above established levels. Expansion of the Airport due to increased
demand would likely require permitting from one for more agencies.”
2.04-2 Land Use Compatibility
The compatibility of existing and planned land uses in the vicinity of an airport is
usually associated with the extent of noise impacts related to that airport. There
currently are no generated noise contours for the Airport due to the low activity.
Should the Airport generate enough operations to warrant contours, those will have to
be addressed and compatibility will have to be reviewed.
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