Environmental Affairs Committee Projects

 

Environmental Affairs Committee 2008 Work Plan

The Environmental Affairs 2008 Committee work plan is currently under development. Please check back soon.

The ACI-NA Environmental Affairs Committee and its nine working groups (Air Quality, CAEP/International Issues, Land Use Compatibility, Natural Resources, Noise, NEPA-National Environmental Policy Act, Sustainability, Waste Management, and Water Quality) help guide ACI-NA environmental policy positions.  The Committee also provides a forum for the exchange of practices and experiences among airport environmental specialists. Committee members work with federal regulators, aviation industry groups, and international policy makers as they develop statutory and regulatory proposals governing the environment affecting airports.

Some of the issues the Committee is currently focused on include EPA’s development of a best practices document for airport recycling programs and an effluent limitation guideline for airport deicing operations; draft revisions to the General Conformity requirements of the Clean Air Act; evolving information on hazardous air pollutant and particulate matter emission sources; better integration of planning and the NEPA process; and consideration to addressing noise impacts outside the DNL 65 contour.

 

Environmental Achievement Awards

 
Since 1997, ACI-NA has granted awards to recognize its airport members that strive to protect and preserve the environment through their programs, initiatives and projects. Established by the Environmental Affairs Committee, the annual awards acknowledge the hard work and achievements of ACI-NA members by promoting awareness more broadly within the airport community, the general public and regulators of the many notable and innovative efforts undertaken by environmental professionals at airports. Environmental and planning staffs at our airports deserve recognition for their efforts in developing and implementing programs that protect the environment while keeping their airport's projects on schedule, minimizing community and regulatory controversy and using creative means of maximizing overall cost-benefit.

Entries are now being accepted for the 2008 Environmental Achievement Awards.  More information, including award rules and entry form are available here.


 

In 2007, the program underwent some notable revisions to increase recognition for our well-deserved airport projects and programs. The revisions included new award categories, new judging criteria, and utilization of non-member judges. 

 

Award Categories
  • Environmental Management
  • Mitigation
  • Outreach/Education/Community Involvement
  • Award Criteria
  • Environmental benefit
  • Innovation
  • Effective implementation
  • Widespread applicability
  • Cost effectiveness

 

2007 Awards

 
In 2007, we received 16 entries across the 3 award categories.  An award was granted in each award category, along with an award of special recognition. 

 

Judges for the 2007 Awards Program were:

 

David Bell, editor, Aviation and Environment News and Noise Regulation Report

George Donohue, professor of Air Transportation Technology and Policy at George Mason University

Sabrina Johnson, policy analyst for the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Air and Radiation

 

2007 Award Winners

 

  • Environmental Management Award Category: San Francisco International Airport;  Environmental Sustainability Program

The San Francisco International Airport plays a key role in meeting the city's commitment to attaining environmental sustainability. Significant measures have been undertaken to reduce emissions, save energy, improve water quality, preserve natural resources, and minimize waste at the airport. Components of the airport's Environmental Sustainability Program include a pilot program with Virgin Atlantic to tow departing aircraft part-way to the runway, 400 Hz power and pre-conditioned air at many gates, conversion of airport shuttles to bio-diesel fuel, installation of solar panels, and a solid waste minimization and recycling program.

 

  • Outreach/Education/Community Involvement: Portland International Airport; Environmental Outreach and Communications Program

The Port of Portland's Environmental Outreach and Communication Program informs stakeholders about the Port's aviation environmental programs and integrates stakeholder input to those programs through use of Community Integration Guidelines developed specifically for the program. The program, which includes a dedicated Environmental Outreach Manager, enhances relationship-building between the airport and the community, allowing for more effective implementation of the airport's proactive environmental projects.

 

  • Mitigation Award Category: Dane County Regional Airport; Runway 14/32 Safety Area and Associated Improvements

To bring Runway 14/32's safety area into compliance with FAA design standards, the Dane County Regional Airport relocated 2.4 miles of active rail line, 0.8 miles of a county highway, over one mile of creek, and the airport perimeter road and fence. The project resulted in 36 acres of direct wetland fill and 35 acres of secondary impact, necessitating 53 acres of wetland mitigation credit. In conjunction with 10 federal, state, and local agencies, the airport developed an on-site mitigation plan that included measures to address adverse historical impacts to water resources. The airport restored both the hydrology of the Cherokee Fen, including buffer plantings and sediment removal, and the Starkweather Creek. The mitigation measures of the project will result in a net overall enhancement to local water resources.

 

  • Special Recognition Award: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport; Runway 10-28 Rehabilitation, Levee Lift, Flood Gate, and Canal Enclosure

Having been in service for almost 30 years without a major rehabilitation, rehabilitating Runway 10-28 became a priority for the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in late 2003. The project was completed successfully through use of monetary incentives for early completion, innovative and environmentally-friendly construction techniques, and inclusion of regional flood protection construction works. Completion of the rehabilitation coincided almost to the hour to Hurricane Katrina landfall near New Orleans. With daily operations soaring from an average of 700 to as many as 3,800, completion of the rehabilitated runway proved critical to emergency operations following the Hurricane's devastating effects.

 

Other 2007 Award Submissions:

  • Boston Logan International Airport:  Terminal A - LEED Certification

In 2006, Terminal A at Boston Logan International Airport became the first airport terminal in the world to be granted Leadership in Environmental Engineering and Design (LEED) certification for sustainable design and construction by the U.S. Green Building Council. Opened in 2005, this joint project, of the Massachusetts Port Authority and Delta Air Lines, incorporated numerous sustainable building methods and technologies including alternative transportation, store-water treatment, heat island reduction, water efficiency, use of natural light, and sustainable materials. The airport has realized 12% energy savings, equating to almost $300,000 annually, and 36% water savings (or 1.7 million gallons per year).

 

  • Chicago Airport System:  Month of Environment 2007

April 2007 marked the Chicago Airport System's 2nd annual Month of Environment.  The event featured informational kiosks throughout the terminals at both O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. The kiosks educated travelers, employees, businesses, and governments about the importance of conserving and protecting the environment. Additional materials developed for the event included postcards and bookmarks highlighting various environment initiatives related to the airports and a children's activity book

 

  • Cleveland Hopkins International Airport: Integrated Environmental Management Program

The City of Cleveland Department of Control has integrated environmental stewardship into the continual improvement of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Components of that environmental commitment include proactive noise reduction measures, management of impacted soil and water, a centralized deicing facility that virtually eliminates contaminated storm water releases, and an interim measures implementation project that identifies and reduces areas contaminated by deicing products. The environmental benefits of the program are tracked and evaluated through a web-based environmental management system (EMS) that integrates and manages data from all of the airport's environmental programs.

 

  • Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport: Environmental Management System

In furtherance of the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport's (DFW) Board of Directors Environmental Policy to lead the industry in the development and implementation of comprehensive environmental programs and practices, the airport designed and implemented a compliance-focused Environmental Management System (EMS). Elements of the EMS include a commitment beyond environmental compliance and continuous improvement, organization accountability for the airport's environmental protection practices, ongoing environmental monitoring and assessment, and integration of environmental planning into organizational decision-making. For its EMS, DFW Airport was accepted into EPA's National Environmental Performance Track Program in 2006.

 

  • Denver International Airport:  Earth Day Promotion

To commemorate Earth Day on April 20, 2007, the Denver International Airport's Environmental Services (ES) team passed out biodegradable bookmarks embedded with flower seeds and embossed with the airport's logo. While distributing the bookmarks to passengers, the ES team communicated the significance of Earth Day and the airport's environmental achievements.

 

  • Denver International Airport:  Environmental Management Employee Training

Denver International Airport's Environmental Services (ES) team designs and implements environmental management employee training to teach the airport's employees about the Environmental Management System policies and procedures and the role each employee plays in contributing to the airport's environmental goals. The ES team conducts 25-35 "game show" format sessions per year in each of the airport's divisions, and approximately 350 city employees have participated in the training.

 

  • Denver International Airport:  Environmental Management Video

The Denver International Airport developed a video podcast promoting the airport's environmental management program. The video highlights the airports environmental achievements and goals, and its commitment to linking with the Denver mayor's Greenprint Denver program. The video is made available on the airport's website and periodically broadcast on a local TV channel.

 

  • John F. Kennedy International Airport:  Infrared Aircraft Deicing System

In January 2007, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey began operating an infrared radiant deicing facility at JFK International Airport. The technology is based on infrared radiant heat that melts the snow and ice from aircraft surfaces in a covered facility. Use of the facility has resulted in reduction in the application of aircraft deicing fluid by approximately 90% per aircraft compared to conventional deicing methods. The airport estimates use of the infrared technology eliminated 82,100 gallons of glycol discharges to its storm water system and Jamaica Bay over the 2006/2007 deicing season.

 

  • Los Angeles World Airports – LAX South Airfield Improvement Project

The South Airfield Improvement Project at Los Angeles International Airport includes relocating a runway and constructing a new center taxiway. Innovative strategies were employed during the 8-month runway relocation process to mitigate air quality impacts, traffic, noise, biotic resource impacts, and contaminated materials. Such measures included emissions controls for construction equipment, suppression of construction dust, onsite material recovery and recycling, a "Construction Noise Control Plan" and inventorying of sensitive species. The retention of a third-party monitor, which assisted the airport and the community, helped ensure the airport's stringent environmental requirements were met throughout the construction phase.

 

  • Seattle-Tacoma International Airport:  Des Moines Creek Basin Plan

The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, working jointly with the cities of SeaTac and Des Moines, King County, and the Washington State Department of Transportation, developed a multi-million dollar drainage basin plan to address severe storm water management and other environmental problems in the Des Moines Creek Basin. To facilitate the plan, the Des Moines Creek Basin Committee was formed through an Inter-Local Agreement allowing multiple jurisdictions to work together to pool funds and resources. As a result, the urbanization impacts to the creek have been reversed and an economically viable storm water management strategy was established for the basin.

 

  • Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport:  Material and Resource Management Program

The Winnipeg Airports Authority (WAA) is currently undergoing a major redevelopment project that includes a new airport terminal building, detention pond, new parking aprons, taxiways and surrounding roadways. Project construction began in 2005 and will continue until December 2009. To further their commitment to sustainable development and pollution prevention, WAA implemented a Material and Resource Management Program. The program includes salvaging and re-using extensive quantities of material and construction waste from existing airfield pavement. In 2006 alone, 32,000 m3 of concrete and 23,000 m3 of gravel were salvaged. WAA also expects $950,000 in construction value savings from the Program.

 

  • Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport:  Terminal Building

Scheduled for completion in 2009, the new Winnipeg Airport Terminal Building was designed with a view toward environmental management and stewardship. The airport will seek Canadian Green Building Council LEED accreditation for the terminal, making it the first Canadian terminal to be LEED certified. Sustainability initiatives incorporated into the project include extensive use of natural light, energy efficiency, recycled construction materials, and low-flow plumbing fixtures.

 

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