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

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) Evaluationin noise levels because there would be no increase in aircraft operations and the RSA enhancements would notresult in a substantial change in aircraft operations with the relocated runway thresholds. Under Alternative B2,in 2020, 74 housing units (an estimated 174 people) are projected to experience a significant increase in noiselevels (increase of at least DNL 1.5 dB at or above DNL 65 dB). All 74 housing units have already been soundinsulated under a previous sound insulation program. In 2025, 49 housing units (an estimated 115 people) areprojected to experience a significant increase in noise levels. All 49 housing units have already been sound insulatedunder a previous sound insulation program. Alternative B2 would not result in significant noise increases at anynon-residential noise-sensitive sites. All residences exposed to significant noise levels would be eligible forsound insulation mitigation.Under Alternative B4, in 2015, 184 housing units (an estimated 432 people) are projected to experience asignificant increase in noise levels. Out of these 184 housing units, 161 housing units have already been soundinsulated under a previous sound insulation program. In 2020 under Alternative B4, 174 housing units (anestimated 409 people) are projected to experience a significant increase in noise levels (151 housing units havealready been sound insulated under a previous sound insulation program). In 2025, 108 housing units (anestimate of 254 people) are projected to experience a significant increase in noise levels (87 housing units havealready been sound insulated under a previous sound insulation program). Under Alternative B4, in 2015 and2020, two non-residential noise-sensitive sites would experience a significant noise increase: Jehovah’sWitnesses of Warwick (Site PW017) and Baha’i Faith (Site PW039). In 2025, these two non-residentialnoise-sensitive sites and one additional site (John Wickes School, SCH524) would experience a significantimpact under Alternative B4. All residences and non-residential noise-sensitive land uses exposed to significantnoise levels would be eligible for sound insulation mitigation. The John Wickes School and Baha’i Faith havealready been sound insulated as part of a previous sound insulation effort under the Part 150 NCP.5.3.2.2 Additional Analyses and MetricsFAA Order 1050.1E, in accordance with the Federal Interagency Committee on Noise (FICON) 280 in 1992,recommended that in addition to significant impacts, less than significant noise level changes are also identifiedfor noise-sensitive locations exposed to project-related noise level increases. FICON recommended reportingany changes in DNL of 3 dB or more between 60 and 65 dB DNL and increases of DNL 5 dB or more betweenthe 45 and 60 dB DNL contour. If it is determined that significant impacts in noise-sensitive areas are present,the FAA must evaluate whether there are 3.0 dB changes between the DNL 60 and 65 dB contours.Both the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and FAA consider noise-sensitive landexposed to noise levels of DNL 65 dB or above as incompatible and prescribe various ways to make the land281,282compatible with the airport environment. Under the FAA’s Noise and Land Use Compatibility Program,residences exposed to sound levels between DNL 65 dB and DNL 69 dB contour as a result of Alternatives B2and B4, would be eligible for sound insulation, and residences exposed to sound levels of DNL 70 dB and aboveas a result of Alternatives B2 and B4 would be eligible for participation in a VLAP.280 Federal Agency Review of Selected Airport Noise Analysis Issues, Federal Interagency Committee on Noise, Washington, D.C., August 1992.281 Environmental Criteria and Standards of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, 24 CFR Part 51; 44 Federal Register 40861,U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington DC, July 12, 1979.282 Ibid.Chapter 5 - Environmental Consequences 5-14 July 2011\\mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH05_Environmental_Cons_JUL_2011.doc