Edmonton International Airport Master Plan 2010-2035 Executive ...

12.0 Environment andSustainabilityEIA’s View of SustainabilityEdmonton International Airport’s commitmentto sustainability is characterized in a corporatecore value – “We are committed to responsiblymanaging all of our assets to advance our region’senvironmental stewardship, social well-being andeconomic prosperity”.EIA recognizes that effective planning willenable and drive development to occur on theairport lands that will provide for a sustainable,environmentally balanced airport. The use ofsustainable development principles will ensure thesuccess of the facility in the long term.Airport operations and developments are resourceintensive, requiring the use of facilities, fuels,chemicals, and other natural resources.To responsibly manage these operations andactivities, EIA has an established EnvironmentalManagement System (EMS) to ensure thatoperations and activities at the airport areconducted in an environmentally responsiblemanner, and to ensure that EIA’s environmentalpolicies are satisfied.Environmental Management Plan (EMP)The Environmental Management Plan is theguidance document that forms the foundation forthe system. The EMP documents and articulatesthe factors that must be considered to adequatelyaddress environmental risks specific to EdmontonInternational Airport.EIA strives to maintain a good working relationshipwith nearby communities while balancing demandsfor a safe, convenient, and 24-hour service airport.EIA is involved in many noise managementinitiatives to mitigate noise impacts in communitiesand to educate the airport’s stakeholders on airportactivities.The provincial Airport Vicinity Protection AreaRegulation (AVPA) ensures that only compatibleland uses are located around the airport so thatthe use, enjoyment and security of the surroundingdevelopments are not jeopardized by current andfuture airport operations. The current provincialAirport Vicinity Protection Area Regulation (AVPA)was established in 2006, and is required to bereviewed every ten years. The regulation is duefor review in 2016, at which time EIA and themunicipalities will have the opportunity to tablebest practices and identify future planning issues.Air QualityWhile air quality doesn’t have the same profile inthe Edmonton Region as in some other regionswith major airports, the development of provincialregulations must be monitored and considered asdevelopment proceeds under the master plan.Water (Glycol and Storm water)There is always a risk that substances commonlyassociated with airport operations can enter thestorm water system, sanitary system or ground wateras pollutants. To ensure compliance with waterquality regulations, licenses and guidelines and toprovide background information on developing waterquality issues, airport water systems are sampled andmonitored on a regular basis.As the property develops, EIA will be faced with newchallenges in managing water quality from stormwater, and especially relating to the handling ofglycol-contaminated storm water. The environmentalmanagement plan has assisted in identifying thosechallenges (capacity, flow control quality expectations,regional planning issues), and some activities arealready underway to address those issues.WildlifeEIA uses a variety of strategies and tools to ensurea balance between airport operations and wildlife.As development progresses, the amount of naturalland will be impacted, in turn reducing the airport’sattractiveness to wildlife and bird species.Edmonton International Airport Master PlanExecutive Summary17