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Chapter 5. ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY 34. General. Environmental factors must be con- sidered carefully in the development of the airport master plan, both in the site selection process and in the design of the airport. This is a requirement of the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970. Studies of the impact of construction and operation of the airport or airport expansion upon accepted standards of air and water quality, ambient noise levels, ecological processes, and natural environmental values should be conducted to determine how the air- port requirements can best be accomplished. An airport is an obvious stimulus to society from the standpoints of economic growth and the services it offers to the public. However, this generation of productivity and employment may be negated by noise and air pollution and ecological compromises if com- patibility between an airport and its environs is not achieved. Thus, the airport master plan must directly contend with those problems identified in the studies of environmental qualities so that the engineering of airport facilities will minimize or overcome those op- erations which contribute to environmental pollution. 35. Approach to Environmental Study. The accent on preservation of the environment has highlighted a dimension of the airport planner's job which has often been overlooked. This added en- vironmental dimension should not be viewed as a handicap to technical progress, but rather as an oppor- tunity to develop new and innovative ideas which will provide for economic growth in consonance with the preservation of natural and aesthetic land functions. Therefore, environmental studies for the airport master plan must be performed by specialists who are capable of analyzing environmental problems and developing sound solutions. To this end, the familiar airport master planning staff of architects, engineers, econo- mists, and planners must be enlarged to include en- vironmental specialists and ecologists. They should establish the environmental guidelines which will be incorporated, by practical means, into the airport master plan by the planners, architects, and engineers. 36. Aircraft Noise. Aircraft noise is probably the severest environmental problem to be overcome in the development of an airport. Where aircraft noise causes disturbance, it makes an airport unpopular no matter how well the airport serves its community. The resolution of the noise problem requires careful analysis, development of proper land use, and a co- ordinated approach on the part of the government, aircraft manufacturers, airport operators, and the community. Improvements in design of engines may result in somewhat quieter aircraft in the future. Noise abate- ment procedures and special operational restrictions have resulted in substantial noise reduction from existing airports. Airport layouts which direct the noise away from built-up areas have also been a principal consideration in the development of new airport facilities. One of the most effective means of reducing noise impact, however, is through the proper planning of land use for areas_ affected by airport noise. The difficulties which will be encountered in establishment of land use plans will depend on whether the environs are open or built up. The strategy employed in a given situation will depend on whether its application is preventative or remedial in nature. Methods of land use control include purchase for direct airport use; conversion to a use compatible with expected noise levels; acquisition of avigation easements; and the establishment of zoning and building codes. The detailed criteria for the solution of airport noise problems are prescribed in Chapter 8, Land Use Plan. It is through the development of an effec- tive land use plan that the airport becomes compatible with its human neighbors. 37. Air Pollution. While there is evidence that aircraft engine emission constitutes but one percent of the total air pollutants in a typical metropolitan area, this facet of the environmental impact of airport operations cannot be overlooked in the development of the airport master plan. It is rather evident to the observer on the ground that exhaust smoke does exist and that contaminants are emitted into the environ- ment. The Federal Government and industry are keenly aware of the public reaction to engine exhaust emis- 21