Draft EA - San Diego International Airport

SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – PROPOSED RUNWAY 9 DISPLACED THRESHOLD
Coastal Act compliance and the project, followed by the project consistency analysis for each, include the
following:
Provide for the present use and enjoyment of the bay and tidelands in such a way as to maintain
options and opportunities for future use and enjoyment.
The Proposed Action consists of adjusting the existing runway threshold and glide slope in order to meet FAA
criteria necessary to maintain existing ILS CAT I approaches to Runway 9 by airplane Approach Category D
aircraft. As such, the Proposed Action would not conflict with the PMP goal to provide for the present use
and enjoyment of the Bay and tidelands area adjacent to and surrounding the APE in such a way as to
maintain options and opportunities for future use and enjoyment.
The District, as trustee for the people of the State of California, will administer the tidelands to provide
the greatest economic, social, and aesthetic benefits to current and future generations.
The Proposed Action would adjust the existing runway threshold and glide slope to meet FAA criteria for
airplane Approach Category D CAT I instrument approaches on Runway 9. The loss of this ability would have
negative impacts on the region, as landings would not be permitted during poor visibility conditions and
flights would be diverted to nearby airports. Consequently, the Proposed Action would not result in economic
gains but would protect the San Diego area from economic losses. Additionally, the proposed improvement
would not result in significant adverse aesthetic impacts to surrounding regions (see Section 4.13, Light
Emissions and Visual Impacts). By protecting the local economy and avoiding negative aesthetic impacts, the
Proposed Action would be consistent with the PMP goal to administer the tidelands area adjacent to and
surrounding the APE to provide the greatest economic, social, and aesthetic benefits to present and future
generations.
District will integrate the tidelands into a functional regional transportation network.
The Proposed Action would not impact or improve the existing surface transportation network, but would
meet FAA criteria necessary to maintain a CAT I precision instrument approach by airplane Approach Category
D aircraft necessary to preserve existing aircraft operations at the Airport.
The District will enhance and maintain the Bay and tidelands as an attractive physical and biological
entity.
Physical attractiveness is not applicable in the case of a runway displaced threshold relocation that does not
involve major construction and has no impact on existing buildings (see Section 4.13, Light Emissions and
Visual Impacts). The relocation of runway lights and navigational aids off-Airport would occur at existing
lighting locations and result in the removal of the two lighting stations farthest from the runway end, reducing
off-Airport effects. The Proposed Action would be consistent with the PMP goal to enhance and maintain the
Bay and tidelands area adjacent to and surrounding the Study Area as an attractive physical and biological
entity.
Draft EA
Environmental Consequences
[4-9]