T.F. Green Airport Improvement Program - FEIS Chapters - PVD

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) Evaluation3.8 Level 6 Screening – DEIS Final AlternativesThis section contains a summary of the DEIS Level 6 Screening, which includes additional environmentalanalysis of Alternatives B2 and B4 (Chart 3-1). Alternative B4 would have greater aviation benefits, significantlyfewer community impacts, and lower construction costs than Alternative B2.3.8.1 Level 6 Impact AnalysisFollowing the environmental analysis in the Level 5 screening in 2009, the FAA compared the aviation activityforecasts with the 2008 TAF as directed by FAA Order 5050.4B to confirm that the forecast was within 10 to15 percent of the most recent TAF at the time. The FAA performed this comparison due to the longevity of theT.F. Green Airport Improvement Program NEPA process and the rapid changes in the aviation industry. TheFAA found that the original 2004 forecast of aircraft operations and passenger enplanements were no longerwithin the FAA consistency criteria. 133 Therefore, the forecast was updated in 2009 to meet FAA requirements.The forecasted base operations without the runway extension would decrease. The forecasted flights associatedwith the runway extension would remain as anticipated in the Level 5 analysis and previous (2004) forecast.Additionally, at the time of the forecast update the FAA released a new version of the noise model (INM 7.0a)and a new version of the air quality model (EDMS version 5.1.2). Because of anticipated changes based on therevised forecast and new versions of the models, the FAA determined it was prudent to revise the Level 5analysis of relevant areas of environmental and social resources. This is documented in the DEIS Level 6Screening.3.8.2 Level 6 Screening – Summary of Environmental ConsequencesThe Level 6 Screening uses the 2009 DEIS Forecast and compares the environmental consequences and benefitsof the No-Action Alternative and Alternatives B2 and B4 for the relevant environmental resource categoriesspecified in FAA Order 1050.1E. DEIS Appendix E, Alternatives Analysis, Section E.8, Level 6 Screening – FinalAlternatives and Selection of the Preferred Alternative, includes a full comparison of the environmental impacts ofthe Level 6 Alternatives B2 and B4, FAA’s identification of Alternative B4 as the Preferred Alternative, andRIAC’s confirmation that Alternative B4 is its Proposed Action.Table 3-11 provides a summary of the Level 6 Alternative B2 and B4 impacts and costs as presented in the DEIS.Section 3.9, FEIS Analysis – Final Alternatives, the Preferred Alternative, and the Environmentally PreferableAlternative includes a summary of the FEIS analysis, further comparison of Alternatives B2 and B4, and therationale for FAA selecting Alternative B4 as the Preferred Alternative.133 FAA Order 5050.4B states that forecasts should be within 10 percent of the TAF for the 5-year analytical period and within 15 percent for the 10-yearanalytical period.Chapter 3 – Alternatives Analysis 3-36 July 2011\\mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH03_Alternatives_JUL_2011.doc