NextGen for Airports, Volume 3: Resources for Airports (2016)

Below is the uncorrected machine-read text of this chapter, intended to provide our own search engines and external engines with highly rich, chapter-representative searchable text of each book. Because it is UNCORRECTED material, please consider the following text as a useful but insufficient proxy for the authoritative book pages.

Working with the FAA5 Working with the FAA | 59 NextGen evolves from year to year. For example, sometimes runway closures and rehabilitations drive a new implementation, such as deployment of departure taxi metering at SFO. Further, implementation dates change and the priority of programs and locations is rearranged. This guide briefly explains NextGen, its history, its intent, and how it works, and links to information sources, but it does not capture everything. The ACRP Report 150: NextGen for Airports series reports provide more in-depth information on working with the FAA. Table 5-1 lists points of contact for obtaining more information on NextGen, specifically the Metroplex programs, which have impacted airports. Table 5-1. Points of contact for more information. TO FIND OUT ABOUT … CONSULT … Exact routes and charting for routes for a Metroplex FAA-ATO Flight Procedure Teams Planning level activity for routes for a Metroplex FAA-ATO Office of Mission Support Schedule of implementation projects other than flight procedures FAA-ATO Program Management Office GPS-enabled LPV approaches FAA-FPO National Flight Procedures Group Instrument Flight Procedures Information Gateway https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/ aeronav/procedures/ Near-term implementation plans (where, when) for NextGen www.faa.gov/nextgen (http://www.faa.gov/ nextgen) Metroplex/PBN routing implementation schedules www.faa.gov/nextgen/library More information about particular NextGen programs, such as PBN FAA’s NextGen Snapshots, www.faa.gov/ NextGen/snapshots/ (http://www.faa.gov/ NextGen/snapshots/) and www.faa.gov/ NextGen/programs/ (http://www.faa.gov/ NextGen/programs/) continued

60 | RESOURCES FOR AIRPORTS TO FIND OUT ABOUT … CONSULT … FAA funding mechanisms for airport improvements related to NextGen programs FAA-APP, FAA Office of Airports Public-private partnership for aircraft equipage www.nexacapital.com (http://www.nexacapital. com/) The latest comprehensive list of NextGen programs in near, mid, and far terms nasea.faa.gov NAC findings www.rtca.org/ Electronic airport maps: what is required, and a sample statement of work to hire a contractor to perform the work https://airports-gis.faa.gov/public/airportsSteps. html Note: ATO = Air Traffic Organization; FPO = Flight Procedures Office. Figure 5-1 shows the FAA’s published schedule for Metroplex implementation (from the 2015 Next- Gen Implementation Plan). Note that plans are for Las Vegas to be added to the list. Figure 5-1. Metroplex schedule chart. Table 5-1. Continued

Working with the FAA | 61 Where NextGen EAs Originate in the FAA The use of EAs, environmental impact studies, and noise studies for airports undergoing changes in infrastructure or flight procedures varies depending on the reason for the change. Figure 5-2 shows the origination of NextGen program actions in the FAA. The origination point of various actions deter- mines the level of environmental studies and analysis the FAA will undertake as NextGen initiatives roll out. Figure 5-2. NextGen implementation workflows in FAA offices. NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) Process Impacts The office that initiates an action determines how the environmental processes are conducted in com- pliance with that organization’s environmental order, specifically addressing the level of environmental analysis and the extent of outreach. A NEPA process is required for federal actions. Figure 5-3 shows the process the FAA uses when it leads a NEPA effort. Under project initiation, FAA begins the NEPA process when it learns of any contract, lease, construction, rulemaking, certification, regulatory action, licensing, permits, or plans submitted for approval. The FAA begins a NEPA evaluation for an airport when it becomes involved, such as when an airport submits an airport layout plan or an AIP grant ap- plication for FAA approval. Some actions, which have minimal impact, will quality for CatEx from EA. There are a number of these exclusions. The more straightforward exclusions include such actions as repairing an existing facility. More involved exclusion decisions include such actions as evaluating new routes for one airport in a Metroplex when the impacts have already been studied under another airport. An environmental Joint Resources Council NextGen Office Air Traffic Organization Mission Support Flight Standards Service Center (ESC WIS CSC) Program Management Offices Acquisition; fielding hardware or software Processes Procedures Standards Programs such as PBN and Data Comm Procedure changes such as in 7110.65 Develops changes such as multiple runway operations Office of Airports (ARP) Assist and inform ProjectsApproval Install hardware Train controllers

62 | RESOURCES FOR AIRPORTS impact statement can be started right away if the FAA believes the environmental impacts could be significant. As discussed in the ACRP Report 150: NextGen for Airports, A Primer, while PBN programs are eligible for CatExs, the March 29, 2016, FAA policy memo states that, “Collaboration with airport op- erators and public notification should include provision for appropriate community outreach that not only informs the affected public of the FAA’s proposal, but also allows the public to provide feedback on community concerns.”42 Figure 5-3. Initiation of the NEPA process. The process for FAA-initiated plans is the same as that for airport-initiated actions, but the oversight changes depending on the project owner as does the discretionary public outreach. The FAA Office of Airports leads EAs for airport actions. The Office of Environment and Energy (AEE) is the NEPA liaison in change of supplying noise and air quality modeling tools. However, ATO leads EAs for Air Traffic Operations, including many PBN implementations. There are important differences in EA practice. An airport typically holds meetings, sends newsletters, notifies public officials, initiates focus groups, and often chooses to hold a public hearing for significant airport changes. NEPA guidance requires ATO to hold a public hearing at the “earliest” stages of project planning. Historically, ATO advertises the meeting in the public newspaper as required by NEPA but does not have to pursue additional methods of notification; however, ATO may be changing this policy based on industry recommen- dations. Another key factor is that by holding a public hearing early in the process of, for example, implementing proposed airspace routes, the public may not perceive any changes as imminent or im- portant, until they actually occur. In contrast, typically an airport will choose to engage its community over and over again to collect ongoing commentary on the project. The result is that an early public notification of changed air routes does not as effectively involve the community and mitigate their concerns as does a repeated outreach process conducted according to the Office of Airports environmental order. Members of the community may have failed to see, notice, 42FAA Order 1050.1, Guidance Memo (New CATEX2 Guidance), March 29, 2016, located at https://www.faa.gov/about/ office_org/headquarters_offices/apl/environ_policy_guidance/policy/faa_nepa_order/. Initiation Environmental Impact Statement Environmental Assessment Extraordinary Circumstance Finding of No Significant Impact EA mitigated Significant Impacts Not Mitigated Categorical Exclusion Finding of No Significant Impact

Working with the FAA | 63 or attend the required public hearing under the ATO process and are surprised when air routes and aircraft noise change. Refer to ACRP Report 150: NextGen for Airports, Volume 2: Engaging Airport Stakeholders: Guidebook (ACRP Project 01-28) for more information on community outreach. Summary The FAA is primarily entrusted with ensuring safety in national airspace. It faces competing pressures from aircraft operators to accomplish airspace and flight procedure changes quickly as well as the legal requirements of a diligent process. Airports can assist in NextGen implementation in their communi- ties by being involved and providing extra communication links for the public about these ongoing changes.