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

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) Evaluation5.3.8.5 Composite NoiseIn 2015 under Alternatives B2 and B4, aircraft operations are expected to dominate the noise environment in thevicinity of the Airport and no sites would experience a significant increase in noise levels. In 2020 and 2025under Alternative B2, aircraft operations would dominate the noise environment in the vicinity of the Airportand three sites would experience a significant increase in noise levels, including C6, R4 and R6 (Figure 4-2).Under Alternative B4 in 2020 and 2025, the dominant noise source would be from aircraft flight operations andno sites would experience a significant increase in noise levels.5.3.9 Avoidance and MinimizationAlternatives B2 and B4 were specifically developed to minimize the extent of the impacts to the community.Previously eliminated Alternative B1 included an extension of Runway 5-23 to 9,350 feet. The noise contoursassociated with Alternative B1 would have been considerably larger than the extent of noise contours associatedwith Alternatives B2 and B4 with Runway 5-23 that would be extended to a total of 8,700 feet. Alternative B4minimizes the extent of the noise impacts to the north of the Airport more than Alternative B2 because it wouldextend the Runway 5 End only. Chapter 6, Mitigation presents the mitigation measures proposed fornoise-related significant impacts (increase of at least DNL 1.5 dB at or above DNL 65 dB) and other impacts (i.e.,vehicle traffic noise).5.4 Compatible Land UseIn accordance with FAA guidelines for NEPA analysis, this section provides an overview of the changes in landuse (in parcels and acres) as a result of Alternatives B2 and B4 due to changes in noise levels and physicalimpacts (land acquisition). Section 5.3, Noise, discusses significant increases (an increase of at least DNL 1.5 dBat or above DNL 65 dB) in aircraft noise in terms of housing units and population, and non-residential noisesensitivesites as well as other changes in noise. Significant impacts related to residential and business relocation(land acquisitions), disruption to traffic circulation patterns, loss of community tax base, and other communityimpacts are addressed in Section 5.5, Social and Socioeconomic, and Environmental Justice Populations and Children’sHealth and Safety Risks.5.4.1 Regulatory ContextFor purposes of this FEIS, land use compatibility is defined by FAA in 14 CFR.150, Airport Noise CompatibilityPlanning. Before the FAA can issue a grant, it needs to confirm that a proposed project is reasonably consistentwith the plans of public agencies such as the state or municipalities authorized to plan for development of thearea surrounding an airport. 291 The FAA Orders note that compatibility of existing and planned land uses in thevicinity of an airport is usually associated with the extent of the airport’s noise impacts and that if the noiseanalysis concludes that there is no significant impact, a similar conclusion usually may be drawn with respect tocompatible land use.291 FAA Order 5050.4B, paragraph 1203c.Chapter 5 - Environmental Consequences 5-46 July 2011\\mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH05_Environmental_Cons_JUL_2011.doc