Draft EA - San Diego International Airport

SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – PROPOSED RUNWAY 9 DISPLACED THRESHOLD
conducted for the Proposed Action. As described in Section 3.7, the current topography of the APE has been
achieved through decades of dredging and placement of fill soils in an area of bay and mudflats. In addition,
the APE consists of portions of the existing SDIA, a small portion of the MCRD San Diego located west of the
Airport, parts of the Navy Boat Channel, and parts of the former NTC (redeveloped as Liberty Station); the APE
contains no undisturbed ground surface. Based on the information from the Archaeological Survey Report
and the results of the 2011 South Coastal Information Center records search, archaeological resources would
not be anticipated in the APE.
4.12.1.1 Cultural Resources
The State NAHC was contacted to request a check of their sacred lands files. That check indicated that no
Native American sacred lands are recorded within or in proximity to the APE. Letters were also sent to the
Native American entities (Bands and individuals) identified by the NAHC as interested parties, in order to
solicit their comments and potential concerns regarding the project.
4.12.2 NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
Under the No Action alternative, ongoing land uses would continue. There would be no adverse effect to any
historic resources and no adverse effect to archaeological or cultural resources.
4.12.3 PROPOSED ACTION
The Proposed Action would not affect any existing structures and no historic or cultural resources are located
in the APE; thus, the Proposed Action would not cause any adverse effect to historic resources. The Proposed
Action would not involve excavation or earth disturbing activities; thus, no archaeological resources would be
affected. No traditional cultural properties, Native American heritage sites or other culturally important sites
or areas have been identified or are known to exist within the APE; therefore, no impacts to such resources
would occur under the Proposed Action. The FAA submitted a letter to the California SHPO on November 13,
2012, seeking concurrence on the identification of the APE and FAA’s finding that the Proposed Action would
have no effect on historic properties listed or eligible for listing on the NRHP. The California SHPO concurred
with the identification of the APE and FAA’s finding that the Proposed Action would have no effect on historic
properties listed or eligible for listing on the NRHP on December 19, 2012 (see Appendix A).
4.13 Light Emissions and Visual Impacts
The primary sources of light emissions from airports are the FAA required lighting for security, obstruction
clearance, and navigation. An analysis of the impact of light emissions on the surrounding environment is
required when proposed projects include the introduction of new lighting that may affect residential or other
sensitive land uses.
Airport improvement activities involving potential disruption of the natural environment or aesthetic integrity
of the area or any activities that may affect sensitive locations such as parks, historic sites, or other public use
areas are relevant visually.
Environmental Consequences
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Draft EA