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Chapter 2.
Environmental Reviews.
A protracted environmental process is one of the barriers to providing the increased capacity at airports that can reduce airlines and air traveler delays. On average, a typical environmental study takes between 2.5 and 5 years to complete. We want to reduce environmental review time lines while maintaining high standards of environmental protection. For runway projects that meet environmental protection requirements, we want to avoid unwarranted delays in giving approval (Adams, May 2001).
Although there is no one "silver bullet" that will solve our nations air transport system. It's obvious that much attention is being paid to the resources, processes, and interagency coordination problems affecting the building and expanding of runways. In doing my research for this paper I was encouraged by some of the current FAA initiatives being undertaken to help alleviate problems at the most congested primary airports. They include: Establishing Environmental Impact Study (EIS) teams, better coordination between governmental agencies, and .
addressing public concerns with regards to airports and airport expansions (Adams, May 2001).
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The establishment of EIS teams is a huge step in the right direction. "Airport officials have complained for years that the environmental review process is uncoordinated and inefficient, and some groups take advantage of the process to delay projects that might otherwise be approved" (Phillips March 2001). .
The EIS team concept is two fold; first it makes it mandatory for the establishment of an EIS team for each new major runway project at a large hub primary airport. Secondly, it includes strengthening EIS teams by adding more FAA members, and asking airport proprietors to contribute members, as well as adding EIS consultants" (Mineta, May 2001). .
EIS teams place all the decision makers at one table. It helps remove the normal interagency confusion associated with large projects, such as a new runway.