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

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) EvaluationRIAC’s Noise Land Reuse PlanFollowing land acquisition under the Part 150 process, an airport operator is required to document itsacquisitions (also known as “noise lands”). 477 Whether unneeded noise land is sold, kept by the airport andleased, or kept by the airport for airport purposes is the airport operator’s decision. In accordance with FAAGrant Assurances and guidance to manage land acquired by airports under its Part 150 NCP (ProgramGuidance Letter 08-2, Management of Acquired Noise Land: Inventory, Reuse, Disposal, or PGL 08-2, issued inFebruary 2008 478 ), RIAC has compiled a list of all lands acquired under the Completed Part 150 VLAP and theircurrent usage to determine if land is required for airport purposes as part of a Noise Land Reuse Plan. As EISprojects are implemented, or within 18 months of the issuance of the ROD, whichever comes first, RIAC willupdate the Noise Land Reuse Plan. RIAC’s Noise Land Update will first determine what noise lands, if any, arerequired for airport development purposes. RIAC will then consider other compatible uses for release of theselands in an Update.RIAC will continue to maintain the airport noise lands (i.e., mowing and providing airport police surveillance).Structures are demolished as quickly as possible following acquisition; however, the timeline for demolitiondepends on when asbestos abatement is completed and the time of year. RIAC does not remove any existingtrees or vegetation during demolition unless it is related to an obstruction removal project, per FAA regulation.Potential Reuse of Noise LandsFor those lands that will not be needed for airport purposes, there are many potential reuse outcomes dependanton a number of factors such as, the size of the available vacant land, the access to that land, and state andmunicipal planning processes. Under the FAA Grant Assurances, RIAC is restricted from releasing any noiselands for land uses considered incompatible due to noise, such as residential land uses. RIAC cannot provide forvisual buffers, open space, or other uses that might interfere with the intended, viable reuse. After updating itsNoise Land Reuse Plan, RIAC will attempt to coordinate with the City of Warwick to rezone land, asappropriate, to allow compatible land uses, such as commercial or industrial land uses for those lands that willnot be needed for airport purposes and will be released for private development. Upon completion of the FEIS,it is anticipated that the City of Warwick will update its Comprehensive Plan to reflect land use changes as aresult of the T.F. Green Airport Improvement Program and to ensure its consistency with the State Guide Plan.As recommended as part of the 2000 Part 150 Study Update, updates to the Comprehensive Plan should addressinformal and formal fair disclosure policies, encourage amendments to the building code, and, whereappropriate, recommend zoning that is compatible with the Airport. RIAC is currently participating in theCity’s update of its Comprehensive Plan.As discussed in Chapter 7, Final Section 4(f)/Section 6(f) Evaluation, one example of reuse of RIAC’s noise lands is forthe replacement of park facilities impacted by the T.F. Green Airport Improvement Program. Since the DEIS, RIAChas selected the Cedar Swamp Road site as the location for the replacement Winslow Park facilities (refer toFigure 7-10). This site is just east of the Airport is part of the RIAC’s noise lands under a previous Part 150 VLAP.477 According to FAA Program Guidance Letter 08-02, Noise Land is land that is acquired to remove or prevent an incompatible land use and then disposed ofso that it can be developed compatibly.478 The Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Guidance Letter, 08-02, Management of Acquired Noise Land: Inventory - Reuse – Disposal, February 1,2008 (last updated 3/26/2009).Chapter 6 – Mitigation 6-17 July 2011\\Mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH06_Mitigation_JUL_2011.doc