Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport

RUNWAY REALIGNMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. What is an environmental assessment (EA)?
  2. What is NEPA?
  3. Why is PUW completing an environmental assessment?
  4. Who is preparing the environmental assessment?
  5. What is the project schedule?
  6. How can I participate in the project?
  7. Who is paying for the EA?
  8. What is AIP?
  9. What is a Passenger Facility Charge?
  10. What are the components of the EA?
  11. What aspects of the environment are assessed, and can a list be provided?
  12. What are the environmental assessment boundaries for the project?
  13. How will the runway relocation affect activity at the airport, i.e. numbers and types of aircraft coming and going?

What is an environmental assessment (EA)?

An environmental assessment is an in-depth review and analysis of the potential environmental impacts of a federally funded construction project. The purpose of an EA is to addresses the impacts of Federal actions on the human environment, including noise, socioeconomic, land uses, air quality, and water quality. An EA is required to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 40 Code of Federal Regulations parts 1500-1508, and the US Department of Transportation Order DOT 5610.1C.

What is NEPA?

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was established by Congress in January 1970. NEPA mandates that before federal agencies make decisions, they must consider the effects of their actions on the quality of the human environment. In enacting NEPA, Congress recognized that nearly all federal activities affect the environment in some way. NEPA also established a new entity within the Executive Office of the President to oversee NEPA implementation: The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ).

NEPA's goal is to create "productive harmony" between humans and the human environment. At the most basic level, NEPA was created to help Federal agencies act as responsible stewards of America's vast natural resources. More information is available at the NEPA website.

Why is PUW completing an environmental assessment?

A study conducted during Phase II of the Airport's Master Plan Update found that it is feasible to meet FAA design standards and improve approach capabilities by relocating the airport runway. Before the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can approve the runway relocation project, an EA must be conducted to analyze alternatives and associated impacts of each. During the EA process, any potential project impacts will be identified and measures to mitigate or avoid negative impacts will be created.

Who is preparing the environmental assessment?

Assisting the Airport in developing the EA is the consultant team of Mead & Hunt, Inc. (prime), JUB Engineers, TO Engineers, Transect Archaeology, GeoEngineers, and Epic Land Solutions.

What is the project schedule?

The project started in September 2012 and it is expected to take approximately two (2) years to complete. There are many things that can impact the project timeline along the way so the schedule will remain fluid and subject to change. However, an initial timeline is provided here:

  • Spring 2013: Many of the initial study elements that address current conditions are expected to be complete. The first set of public open houses is planned.
  • Winter 2013/14: The description of alternatives, identification of the affected environment and analysis of environmental consequences is expected to be complete. A second set of public open houses is planned.
  • Summer 2014: The draft EA is expected to be complete.
  • Summer/Fall 2014: A pair of public hearings will be held after the draft EA has been approved for public review by the FAA.

How can I participate in the project?

Attend events: There will be two sets of open houses and a pair of public hearings during project. These events are open to the public and attendance is encouraged. Meeting notices will be published in local newspapers and there is an email notification sign up option on the public participation page.

Provide input: Public comments can be made in writing at each open house event. Both written and spoken comments will be accepted at the public hearings. More information is available on the public participation web page.

Who is paying for the EA?

The EA project cost is $3.2 million. The Airport received a $2.9 million grant through the FAAs Airport Improvement Program which requires a 10 percent local match. The local match is being funded by Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs) generated by airport users and a small grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). PFC contributions total $272,000 and the remaining $28,000 is provided through the WSDOT grant.

What is AIP?

AIP stands for Airport Improvement Program. It is a federal grant program for airports included in the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). NPIAS airports are those that the FAA considers significant to air transportation. There were approximately 3,400 NPIAS airports in 2010. AIP funds help NPIAS airports to maintain or improve their facilities to better serve local air transportation needs. For more information on AIP, please visit the program's website.

What is a Passenger Facility Charge?

As a commercial service airport, PUW is eligible for revenue from passenger facility charges (PFCs). PFCs are levied on commercial airline tickets on a per-passenger basis. The Airport is authorized to use PFCs for improvement projects that benefit the traveling public by providing safety, capacity, and efficiency. PFC funding levels vary based on the number of emplaning passengers at the Airport.

What are the components of the EA?

The environmental assessment is expected to consist of the following components.

  • Purpose and Need
  • Alternatives Considered
  • Affected Environment
  • Environmental Consequences
  • Public Coordination
  • Biological Assessment
  • Archaeological Reconnaissance
  • Wetland Review

What aspects of the environment are assessed, and can a list be provided?

There are 18 impact categories that must be reviewed in order to comply with NEPA. The categories are:

  • Air Quality
  • Costal Resources
  • Compatible Land Use
  • Construction Impacts
  • Department of Transportation Act Section 4(f) (public park and recreation areas)
  • Farmlands
  • Fish, Wildlife, and Plants
  • Floodplains
  • Hazardous Materials, Pollution Prevention, and Solid Waste • Historical, Architectural, Archaeological, and Cultural Resources
  • Light Emissions and Visual Impacts
  • Natural Resources and Energy Supply
  • Noise
  • Secondary (Induced) Impacts
  • Socioeconomic Impacts, Environmental Justice, and Children's Environmental Health and Safety Risks
  • Water Quality
  • Wetlands
  • Wild and Scenic Rivers

All categories will be documented by the EA, regardless of anticipated level of impact.

What are the environmental assessment boundaries for the project?

The Study Area for the EA project include areas of physical improvements, such as the runway relocation pavement and grading, relocation of the approach lighting system, and new access taxiways and grading. In addition, property surrounding the Airport will also be studied for potential impacts to all environmental categories required to be reviewed by the NEPA.

How will the runway relocation affect activity at the airport, i.e. numbers and types of aircraft coming and going?

The purpose of the runway relocation project is to better accommodate existing airport users. The results of a runway length study, completed as part of the Phase II Master Plan indicate that a 7,100 foot runway length will better accommodate existing users. Additional use of the airport by other types of aircraft is possible and will be discussed in the EA. PUW is a public–use airport, and available to all users of the national airspace system. As an airport that receives federal funding, it may not restrict aircraft types that may operate at the Airport. A detailed activity forecast is included in the Master Plan Phase II.