Airport Master Plan 2012 - City of Waterville

If it is determined that the proposed developments impact designated farmland soils, it may be necessary
to contact the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for completion of a Farmland
Conversion Impact Rating Form. Based on the impact rating score developed by the NRCS, the NRCS
may recommend consideration of alternate project sites. The NRCS recognizes farmland soils are a
valuable resource and evaluates the potential conversion of farmland soils in the context of regionally
available farmland soils. However, the need for completing this form is contingent on the local zoning
within the proposed project area since prime farmland does not include land already in or committed to
urban development. Areas zoned for commercial, industrial, or high-density residential use may be
exempt from this requirement.
5.15 Energy Supply and Natural Resources
The use of energy to support the preferred alternative would largely involve the use of additional fuels in
construction and excavation machinery. The proposed airport improvement program does not require use
of unusual materials in short supply; therefore, energy supplies and natural resources are not affected by
the proposed airport improvement program.
5.16 Light Emissions
The Maine DEP recognizes the need to minimize light pollution and glare from illumination caused as a
result of any development. Changes to airport lighting associated with the preferred alternative could
occur as a result of the upgrade of the approach lighting system from a MALSF to a MALSR. When the
Airport implements the MALSR upgrade; care will be taken to ensure that light emissions avoid
unreasonable impacts to the natural environment. This includes any impacts to wildlife, contribution to
artificial illumination of the night sky, hazards to drivers, and impacts to adjacent communities. It is
anticipated that appropriate mitigation measures will be considered by using appropriately shielded lights
and other measures.
5.17 Solid Waste Impact
It is anticipated that minimal amounts of solid waste will be generated from the daily operations of the
proposed development. Waste disposal during project implementation will be managed separately from
normal airport solid waste management operations. There will be temporary solid waste management
impacts during the narrowing of Runway 14-32. Depending on the actual level of necessary obstruction
removal in the Airport vicinity, low to moderate amounts of removed vegetation will be generated. It is
anticipated that where possible, this vegetation be disposed of on-site through chipping, and the remainder
worked into the soil, in compliance with Solid Waste Management Regulations of the state of Maine.
Overall, the preferred alternative will not significantly increase long term solid waste volumes; therefore,
solid wastes are not expected to be adversely affected by the proposed airport improvement program.
Furthermore, it is also anticipated that the Airport will recycle pavement waste from the narrowing of
Runway 14-32, for use in future/concurrent airport pavement projects.
5.18 Environmental Justice
The development on the Airport has few off-airport impacts. In addition, there are no known areas of
minority and/or low-income residents in the Airport vicinity. Therefore, environmental justice
requirements as described in the U.S. Department of Transportation Order to Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations are not applicable here.
The City of Waterville Maine
Environmental Review – Page 5-8
Airport Solutions Group, LLC & The Louis Berger Group, Inc. December 2011