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

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) Evaluation5.18.7 Comparison of Alternatives B2 and B4Neither Alternative B2 nor B4 would result in significant light emission or visual impacts.Light EmissionsAlternatives B2 and B4 would not result in significant light emissions impacts to the surrounding communitynor would they interfere with normal activities. Alternatives B2 and B4 share common program elementsassociated with light emission impacts, including the expanded passenger terminal, the South Service Area,expanded automobile parking facilities, reconfigured terminal access roadways, and new Integrated CargoFacility. Because these program components would be located on-Airport and are typical of airport-related uses,they would not contribute to a noticeable increase in light impacts to the surrounding community. In addition,measures such as positioning a solid wall or providing screening for the proposed new garage adjacent toneighboring residences and using pole lighting with shoebox-style fixtures directing light downward onproposed roadways and the proposed surface parking lots would provide shielding to the surroundingcommunity. Shifting and relocating runway lighting and navigational aids of Runway 5-23 and Runway 16-34under Alternatives B2 and B4 would not result in noticeable light emission impacts.Visual ImpactsAlternatives B2 and B4 are not expected to result in significant changes to the visual environment surroundingT.F. Green Airport. The proposed airport development is intended to support functional, efficient, and safeairport operations while being sensitive to local, cultural, and architectural concerns. Most of the new buildingsand structures will be built in areas of the Airport that are already developed. The runway extensions androadway relocations or realignments have the potential to change the visual setting in certain areas surroundingthe Airport by creating new view corridors to the Airport or to new or relocated roadways. However, thesechanges are not expected to be significant.5.18.8 Avoidance and MinimizationAlternatives B2 and B4 would not result in significant light emissions impacts or interfere with normal activities. Whileno significant impacts would occur and no mitigation is required, BMPs are proposed to further reduce impacts fromlight emissions for Alternatives B2 and B4. Best management practices include designing parking lot and roadwaylighting with shoebox-style fixtures and downcast hoods, which project light down onto parking and roadways ratherthan up and out to the surrounding community. Lighting for the new parking garage would be shielded from theadjacent neighborhood through use of shoe-box style lighting fixtures and landscape screening.5.19 Energy Supply, Natural Resources, and Sustainable DesignThis section evaluates the effects of airport projects on energy supply and natural resources that are related tothe amount of energy required for stationary facilities, such as terminal buildings and airfield lighting, and formobile uses, such as aircraft, aircraft, GSE, and motor vehicles. Sustainable design is also considered theprimary approach to minimizing or mitigating the effects of increased energy and natural resourcesconsumption associated with airport developments. 463463 Environmental Desk Reference for Airport Actions, FAA, October 5, 2007.Chapter 5 - Environmental Consequences 5-276 July 2011\\mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH05_Environmental_Cons_JUL_2011.doc