Aspen/Pitkin County Airport Environmental Assessment BOCC Update October 2017
Meeting Goals Update BOCC on: EA Public Comments Public Process going forward Approximate Timeline Next Steps
EA Reminders Two Proposed Projects, and Purpose and Needs Eastside Terminal and Associated Landside Improvements Relocate Runway 80 feet to the West to accommodate D-III Category Aircraft Evaluated Through Public Process Two Terminal Design Concepts and Associated Landside Improvements Design would be completed in next steps No Commitment from Airlines Concerning Actual Aircraft Types or Flights
Unique Factors of EA, Not Normal EA Process Significant Amount of Community Involvement and Outreach — More than Federally required Actually Two Separate EA’s Combined for Efficiency and Public Comment Prepared in Sequence Combined Public Process Evaluated Two Terminal Design Concepts, Not Just One Noise and Air Quality Modeling for Future Aircraft not in Existing Models Modification to FAA Guidance
Draft EA Conclusions No Federally Defined Thresholds of Significance Exceeded other Than Wetlands Minimal Wetlands Displacement Due to piping of Owl Creek Will require an individual Section 404 permit issued by the US Army Corps of Engineers and will require mitigation Will be applied for after detailed plans prepared for runway shift
Public Comments Received Comment period for 45 days through October 3 Written and Verbal Comments collected at Public Hearings September 25 (Aspen) – 40 + attendees 9 written comments 2 verbal comments September 26 (Snowmass) – 10+ attendees 2 written comments 1 verbal comment Comments submitted electronically 13 comments on Pitkin Connect/electronically Letter from City of Aspen
Summary of Comments Received Air Quality and Noise Comments Concerns over air quality, GHG, and noise with change in aircraft/quality of life impacts/character of Aspen impacts 737s would impact the livability of the area Comment that noise measurements were not taken 7-14 miles away and residue of jet fuel has not been measured in that area Request for a third party environmental review to provide recommendations on air quality regulations Issues with FAA requirements and change in aircraft type Strong support of the noise wall project (up to 14 feet) Requested change in parking direction of aircraft on GA apron Limits on APU runtime/incorporation of APU alternatives into terminal design (preconditioned air and ground power) Comments on fuel smell near airport Request for carbon offsets or other programs to be implemented to offset development Request no flights taking off toward Aspen and Meadowood Question of noise impacts outside the airport envelope/property value Support of keeping the existing curfew Support of flexibility to accommodate late arrivals rather than diverting Want modest/efficient and neighborhood sensitive airport Environmental assessment does not take into account the specific conditions of a high altitude narrow mountain valley and that we request an independent and unbiased study that includes; air quality, emergency response, and noise issues Develop an alternative that limits the airport to commercial regional jets and private aircraft with a gross landing weight of no more than a maximum 125,000 pounds. Because of our altitude and topography, larger airplanes would create unacceptable burdens of noise and toxic pollutants for the many residents near the airport and for many miles down valley
Summary of Comments Received Terminal Comments Concern that airport is for the rich not the average citizen Terminal design preferences Keep from being too fancy but enough concessions, carousels etc. available Request for sustainability elements (green roof) Request for concessions/rooftop bar Want modest/efficient and neighborhood sensitive airport Worry about expense of terminal Approve of no jet bridges in the concepts; keep deplaning to mountain views Humble terminal with minimal distance between drop off and check in New terminal is out of balance with the projected long-term population growth. A larger airport with more capacity will drive development Planning, Regulation and Site Questions etc. Concerns on emergency response relative to larger aircraft and the narrow valley and proximity to residences Question assumption of losing commercial service; think it is not valid Restricted airspace creates issues between private and commercial aircraft FAA should modify its regulations Comments on existing/potential intersections Concerns over change in deicing location Question on parking, how the plan accounts for car share, ride share, autonomous vehicles, etc. and if there is an opportunity to make the terminal a shared hub for regional transportation services Add more parking Need more hangars Traffic may be impacted; Concerns about light pollution
Summary of Comments Received Water Comments The expansion will impact the sensitive area including but not limited to wildlife, sensitive zones: wetlands, water flow, noise, and pollution. Support of working with Pitkin County Open Space to find a local mitigation project for impacts from piping Owl Creek Other Comments Economic projections regarding this project in my opinion use old data from the 2013 economic impact study for Colorado airports (new data will be surveyed in 2018). And is not a representative sample due to the seasonal nature of the airport Aspen Airport is the economic lifeline of the community Request to have runway improvements completed first Comment in favor of runway reconfiguration Question on why voters are not allowed to vote on the airport expansion, as it affects small town character Comment that they are excited for new terminal and change in runway Comment that the runway reconfiguration adds continued economic viability but want to keep the character of Aspen Concerns about weather (wind, temperature and visibility) and altitude and weight of aircraft will reduce safety Request for more time to comment; thought notification was inadequate
Public Process/Next Steps Respond to public comments in the EA Appendix Hold BOCC hearings and take comments, Oct. 10 — Nov. 1 Respond to comments FAA issues findings Solicitation and Contracting with Consulting Team Program Management Program Financial Feasibility Design Team On call Planning and Environmental On call Engineering On call Financial Submit Application for Federal Funds
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