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

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) EvaluationThe compatible land use analysis must identify land uses that are normally compatible with various exposuresof individuals to noise levels. 292 As described previously under Section 5.3, Noise, the Airport’s Completed andCurrent Part 150 VLAPs, as part of RIAC’s ongoing Part 150 NCP, identified residences that are eligible fornoise abatement measures (sound insulation or land acquisition).5.4.2 Significance Threshold and Additional AnalysesThe compatible land use analysis considers impacts of Alternatives B2 and B4 as defined the FAA’s thresholdsof significance, and also conducts additional noise analyses to gain a full understanding of the futurecompatible land use conditions.5.4.2.1 Finding: Significant Land Use ImpactsAs presented previously in Table 5-6, the significance threshold for compatible land use impacts, in accordancewith the FAA Order 1050.1E, is the same as noise: when an action, compared to the No-Action Alternative forthe same timeframe, would cause noise-sensitive areas located at or above DNL 65 dB to experience a noiseincrease of at least DNL 1.5 dB at or above DNL 65 dB. Residences on these significantly impacted parcelswould be eligible for sound insulation mitigation.In 2015 under Alternative B2, no residential areas are projected to experience a significant increase in noiselevels because there would be no increase in aircraft operations. Under Alternative B4, several areas wouldexperience a significant increase in noise levels under all analysis years, including 2015 due to the expeditedconstruction schedule for extended Runway 5-23. In 2015 under Alternative B4, residential land uses (180parcels totaling approximately 32 acres) would be affected by significant increases in noise when compared tothe No-Action Alternative. These residential areas are located immediately adjacent to the Runway 5 and 23Ends, as shown on Figure 5-21.In 2020 under Alternative B2, 71 parcels totaling approximately 11.5 acres in 2020 and 48 parcels totalingapproximately seven acres in 2025 would experience a significant increase in noise levels. These parcels wouldbe located immediately adjacent to the Runway 5 and 23 Ends, as shown on Figure 5-18. Under Alternative B4in 2020 and 2025, residential land (169 parcels totaling approximately 30 acres, and 108 parcels totalingapproximately 18.5 acres, respectively) would be the largest land area affected by significant increases in noisedue to Alternative B4 when compared to the No-Action Alternative. These residential areas are locatedimmediately adjacent to the Runway 5 End, as shown on Figure 5-22. In both 2020 and 2025, Alternative B2would expose fewer acres of residential land uses to significant noise impacts than Alternative B4. This isbecause under Alternative B2, more residential acquisitions are required for construction of Fully RelocatedAirport Road north of the Airport and therefore reduce the number of exposed residential parcels; and becauseunder Alternative B4 the extension of Runway 5-23 is to the south of the Airport resulting in increased aircraftoperations over a predominantly residential area. As discussed under Section 5.3, Noise, all noise-sensitive landuses impacted by a significant increase in noise would be eligible for sound insulation mitigation.292 14 CFR Part 150, Airport Noise Compatibility Planning, paragraph 150.7.Chapter 5 - Environmental Consequences 5-47 July 2011\\mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH05_Environmental_Cons_JUL_2011.doc