AEDP Environmental Assessment Presentation — original pdf

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AUS Environmental Assessment Briefing Kane Carpenter Environmental Manager Topics • National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) • Environmental Assessment (EA) Status • Environmental Impact Study Areas • Public Outreach • Schedule 1 NEPA 2 • National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was the first major environmental law in the United States and is often called the "Magna Carta" of Federal environmental laws. • NEPA requires Federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of proposed major Federal actions prior to making decisions. • We must balance the benefits of the proposed action against the impacts. • Evaluate alternatives to minimize impacts. • Inform and involve the public before making a decision. • AUS is a federally obligated facility. • The Environmental Assessment is the FAA recommended process for complying with NEPA. Proposed Action 3 Environmental Assessment Impact Categories • Affected Environments • Affected Environments • Air Quality • Biological Resources • Climate • Coastal Resources • Parkland, recreational, etc. • Hazardous Materials, • Historical, archeological and cultural resources • Land Use • Natural resources & energy supply • Noise • Farmland • Socioeconomic & environmental justice • Visual effects • Water Resources (floodplain, wetlands, scenic rivers, etc.) 4 Environmental Assessment Update • Major Sections in an EA • 90% - Statement of Purpose and Need • 90% - Description of Proposed Action • Initiated – Alternatives Analysis • 15% - Affected Environments • Not started - Confirm Significant Environmental Consequences • In progress - Public Presentations & Feedback • Initiated - FAA coordination • Not started - Finding of no significant impact (FONSI) issued by FAA 5 Public Outreach • Virtual Public Scoping Meeting on September 9, 2021 • Launch Meeting – Zoom • Meeting Notice posted in La Voz and Austin American Statesman • EA Website is live (Spanish and English) • AUS Evaluación Ambiental (Spanish) | SpeakUp Austin! • AUS Environmental Assessment | SpeakUp Austin! 6 Near-Term Milestones •Purpose & Need Finalized •AAC Briefing •FAA Coordination Meetings initiated (bi-monthly) •State Historic Preservation Officer Coordination August 2021 •Alternatives Analysis Finalized •Biological Field Work Initiated •Public Scoping Meeting September 2021 •Draft Noise and Air Quality Studies Completed •Cultural Resource Field Work Initiated •Environmental Impact Category Study Reports Completed • Final EA Document Development Initiated •ACC Briefing October 2021 November 2021 •Final Draft EA Public Meeting January 2022 7 Questions 8 Kane Carpenter Environmental Manager Kane.carpenter@austintexas.gov 9