Airport Master Plan 2012 - City of Waterville

Section 5.11 – Coastal Zone Management
Section 5.12 – Coastal Barriers
Section 5.13 – Wild and Scenic Rivers
Section 5.14 – Farmland
Section 5.15 – Energy Supply and Natural Resources
Section 5.16 – Light Emissions
Section 5.17 – Solid Waste Impact
Section 5.18 – Environmental Justice
Section 5.19 – Summary
The Preferred Alternatives for WVL include the following improvement projects:
Short Term:
Airport obstruction removal.
Alternative R1- Narrow the existing crosswind runway (14-32) from 150 feet to 60 feet;
Alternative A1- Construct an aircraft apron adjacent to the existing terminal apron; and
Alternative H1/H6 - T Hangar and/or Box Hangar Development east of taxiway “D”.
Long Term:
Alternative T1a - Construct a new taxiway “E” which will connect taxiway “D” to taxiway “A”;
Land acquisition east of taxiway “D” and off of the approach end of runway 5;
Alternative S1- Snow-Removal Equipment (SRE) building construction in the vicinity of the
existing terminal;
Alternative F1- FBO development behind and abutting the new terminal apron; and
Upgrade the approach lighting system for runway 5 to a MALSR.
5.1 Noise Impacts
Aircraft noise is the most common environmental impact associated with airports, largely because
aviation noise transcends airport property, and has the potential to disrupt communities adjacent to
airports. Consequently, noise from airport projects is often the public‟s primary concern. To address this
problem and understand its effects, standard noise models have been developed that help implement
measures to alleviate noise problems where they exist around an airport.
The purposes of the projects proposed in the Waterville Airport Master Plan are to improve the reliability
and safety of the existing infrastructure, and to improve the efficiency of aircraft operations. They are not
designed to generate any significant changes in the type, size or number of aircraft operating to or from
the Airport. As a result, off- airport noise impacts are not anticipated. However, a thorough review of any
potential noise impacts will be included in a subsequent (EA) process.
During construction, short term increases in noise levels associated with standard construction activities
will occur in the project areas during standard daylight working hours due to the use of equipment that
may include bulldozers, loaders, and dump trucks. Increased noise levels are only expected on a
temporary basis, and are not expected to occur beyond the project‟s completion. Minimal increase in
noise levels may occur should the construction of new T-hangars take place as a result of private interest.
The City of Waterville Maine
Environmental Review – Page 5-2
Airport Solutions Group, LLC & The Louis Berger Group, Inc. December 2011