Certain activities or projects to address airport environmental impacts may qualify for federal funding. For example, in its FY2008 budget, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requested $354 million to meet the agency's "Environmental Stewardship" goals. Among other uses, those funds may be spent on projects to abate airport noise impacts (e.g., soundproofing of residential homes, purchases of noise barriers and monitors, and relocation of persons or businesses); to minimize water quality impacts (e.g., funding of projects that would control the discharge of deicing chemicals); and to reduce airport-controllable air emissions (e.g., purchases of alternative fuel vehicles). Funds also are authorized for research into new aircraft technology that would reduce noise and air emissions. Funding authorization for FAA programs set forth in Vision 100—Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act ( P.L. 108 - 176 , hereinafter referred to as "Vision 100") expired at the end of FY2007. On February 14, 2007, the FAA's reauthorization proposal, entitled the Next Generation Air Transportation System Financing Reform Act of 2007 ( H.R. 1356 and S. 1076 , hereinafter referred to as "the FAA proposal"), was introduced by request. 2881 , the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007) and reported by the Senate ( S. 1300 ; S.Rept. 110 - 144 , the Aviation Investment and Modernization Act of 2007). Each bill includes environment-related provisions that would fund projects intended to minimize environmental impacts or help airports comply with regulatory obligations; fund research, such as new technology that would produce quieter, more fuel-efficient aircraft; and amend existing environmental regulatory requirements. To illustrate why airports may need these funds and how they could potentially utilize them, this report provides an overview of the main environmental impacts associated with airport operations: noise, water quality, and air quality. Also discussed are the environmental review requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. The environmental impacts of these activities may intensify if an airport is undergoing expansion. Community concern regarding environmental impacts has caused projects to be delayed or cancelled. However, the anticipated growth in air travel has heightened the significance and complexity of some environmental regulatory issues. Also, several new requirements are expected to result in potentially significant changes to airport operations (in terms of procedural changes and potential investment in infrastructure). The most significant issues include
continuing community concern about noise, changes to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations applicable to aircraft and airfield deicing operations, changes to EPA regulations applicable to oil spill prevention planning, and state and local agency directives to monitor and control air pollution, particularly toxic air pollutants. Environmental Provisions in FAA Funding Proposals

To address issues associated with air quality, water quality, and community noise impacts, and to assist airport operators with complying with local, state, and federal requirements related to those impacts, the FAA proposal and the bills under consideration in the Senate ( S. 1300 ) and passed in the House ( H.R.
Funding authorization for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs set forth in the Vision 100—Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (P.L. 108-176, hereinafter referred to as "Vision 100") expired at the end of FY2007. During the current reauthorization process, methods to address the environmental impacts associated with airport operations and expansion are being debated. This issue is important to various stakeholders, particularly those whose health, property values, and quality of life may be affected by such impacts. The concerns of community members and local, state, and tribal agencies regarding environmental impacts have led to the delay and cancellation of some airport expansion projects.
To address these concerns, airports may be required to implement projects that would minimize the environmental impacts of their operations. Some of these projects qualify for federal funding. For example, in its FY2008 budget, the FAA requested $354 million to meet its "Environmental Stewardship" goals. Projects funded under this category address the environmental impacts of airports, primarily to abate airport noise (e.g., soundproofing homes or purchasing noise barriers). Among other uses, funds may be spent on projects to minimize water quality impacts (e.g., funding projects that would control the discharge of deicing chemicals) and to reduce airport-controllable air emissions (e.g., purchasing alternative fuel vehicles to replace the airport's ground services equipment). Funds also are authorized for researching new aircraft technology that would reduce noise and air emissions.
The anticipated growth in air travel has heightened the significance and complexity of some environmental regulatory issues. Also, several new requirements are expected to affect airport operations (in terms of procedural changes and potential investment in infrastructure). The most significant issues include changes to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards applicable to deicing operations and oil spill prevention procedures, as well as state and local agency directives to monitor and control air pollution, particularly toxic air pollutants.
The FAA has proposed legislation to reauthorize FAA funding (H.R. 1356 and S. 1076, the Next Generation Air Transportation System Financing Reform Act of 2007, introduced by request). On May 3, 2007, the Senate reported its own bill (S. 1300, the Aviation Investment and Modernization Act of 2007). On September 20, 2007, the House passed its version (H.R. 2881, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007). The bills include provisions that would fund environment-related research; fund grant programs to mitigate environmental impacts; fund grant programs to help airports with environmental regulatory compliance; and amend existing noise requirements.
To better understand the need for funding for environment-related airport projects, this report provides an overview of noise, water quality, and air quality issues associated with airport operations. Also discussed are the environmental review requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and the environmental provisions in proposed legislation to reauthorize FAA programs.