United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2000-08-30 monographic deposited born digital 105 p. GA 1.13:RCED-00-153 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-RCED-00-153 P0b002ee18037248f f:rc00153 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-23 GAOREPORTS-RCED-00-153 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-RCED-00-153 RCED-00-153 Commercial aviation Environmental monitoring Airports Aircraft Air pollution control Water pollution control Noise pollution control EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System FAA Part 150 Program Chapter Report RCED

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the: (1) key concerns and challenges associated with airports' current operations and future growth--particularly concerns about aircraft noise, water quality, and air pollutant emissions--and the actions being taken by the nation's busiest airports to balance environmental concerns with such operations and growth; and (2) actions taken by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other federal agencies to address environmental concerns associated with airports' current operations and future growth.<p/>GAO noted that: (1) the primary environmental concern and challenge facing airports now and for the foreseeable future is noise generated by aircraft operations; (2) airport officials' next greatest concern and challenge is water quality--primarily the potential harmful effects of deicing and anti-icing operations; (3) air quality is the third greatest concern and challenge reported by airport officials, particularly managing the effects on air quality of the increases in emissions due to airport growth; (4) other issues of concern cited by some airport officials were wetlands, endangered species, environmental justice, and historical preservation; (5) airport officials have undertaken a range of activities--either independently or in cooperation with government and industry partners--to more effectively balance airports' current operations and future growth with the environmental impact of these activities; (6) for example, they have established airport/community groups to address environmental issues; (7) coordination has occurred across the federal government to assist airport officials in balancing airport operations and growth with the impact on the environment; (8) for example, FAA has developed and continues to refine models to assess the impact on noise and air quality of proposed airport development projects and has assisted state and local governments and planning agencies with establishing land uses around airports that are compatible with airport operations; (9) furthermore, many airport officials reported that FAA is effective at providing assistance, including answering their questions and addressing their concerns about environmental issues and coordinating activities across the agency; (10) other federal agencies also assist airports with their environmental responsibilities; and (11) for example, the Environmental Protection Agency helps airports address water and air quality issues through regulatory, voluntary, and research efforts, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration assists them primarily through its research and related technology development to reduce aircraft noise and the emission of air pollutants. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-RCED-00-153/html/GAOREPORTS-RCED-00-153.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-RCED-00-153/pdf/GAOREPORTS-RCED-00-153.pdf GAO/RCED-00-153 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-RCED-00-153 Chapter Report GAO/RCED-00-153; Aviation and the Environment: Airport Operations and; Commercial aviation Environmental monitoring Airports Aircraft Air pollution control Water pollution control Noise pollution control EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System FAA Part 150 Program Title 33 Section 1251-1387 33 U.S.C. 1251-1387 Title 42 Section 4901-4918 42 U.S.C. 4901-4918 Title 49 Section 40101(d)(4) Title 49 Section 40103 Title 49 Section 40103(b) Title 49 Section 44701 Title 49 Section 47102(19)(A)(B) Title 49 Section 47104 Title 49 Section 47106 Title 49 Section 47504 Title 49 Section 47504(c)(2)(D) Title 49 Section 48103 49 U.S.C. 40101(d)(4) 49 U.S.C. 40103 49 U.S.C. 40103(b) 49 U.S.C. 44701 49 U.S.C. 47102(19)(A)(B) 49 U.S.C. 47104 49 U.S.C. 47106 49 U.S.C. 47504 49 U.S.C. 47504(c)(2)(D) 49 U.S.C. 48103