Page 177 - Planning and Design of Airports

144 Airp o r t Pl anning

already been built up. Every effort should be made to orient air traffic
away from noise-sensitive land development.
Other important environmental factors include air and water
pollution, industrial wastes and domestic sewage originating at the
airport, and the disturbance of natural environmental values. In
regard to air pollution, the federal government and industry have
worked jointly toward alleviating the problem, and there is a reason
to believe that it will probably be eliminated in the near future as an
environmental factor. An airport can be a major contributor to water
pollution if suitable treatment facilities for airport wastes are not
provided. Chemicals used to deice aircraft are a major source of
potential ground water pollution and provisions need to be made to
safely dispose of this waste product. The environmental study must
include a statement detailing the methods for handling sources of
water pollution.
The construction of a new airport or the expansion of an existing
one may have major impacts on the natural environment. This is
particularly true for large developments where streams and major
drainage courses may be changed, the habitats of wildlife may be
disrupted, and wilderness and recreational areas may be reshaped.
The environmental study should indicate how these disruptions
might be alleviated.
In the preparation of an environmental study, or an environ-
mental impact statement, the findings must include the following
items [12]:
1. The environmental impact of the proposed development
2. Any adverse environmental effects which cannot be avoided
should the development be implemented
3. Alternatives to the proposed development
4. The relationship between local short-term uses of the envi-
ronment and the maintenance and enhancement of long-term
productivity
5. Any irreversible environmental and irretrievable commit-
ments of resources which would be involved in the proposed
development should it be implemented
6. Growth inducing impact
7. Mitigation measures to minimize impact
In the application of these guidelines attention must be directed
to the following questions. Will the proposed development

1. Cause controversy
2. Noticeably affect the ambient noise level for a significant
number of people