Project Environmental Compliance Review
The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority adopted a Project Environmental Compliance Review Policy on Dec. 15, 2022. This policy instructs Authority staff to complete a project environmental compliance review, including a public participation process, for a project or action that requires permitting or other approval or final action, pursuant to any state and federal environmental Special Purpose Law.
The Policy, the first of its kind among airports nationwide, applies when the following two conditions are met: (1) the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) determines it does not have approval authority pursuant to Section 163 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 and, as a result, the preparation of documentation in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is not required; and (2) the North Carolina (State) Environmental Policy Act of 1971 (SEPA) does not apply.
Staff will conduct environmental analyses as applicable for the environmental areas that may apply to the project, as well as conduct a public participation process.
Public Participation Process
The public participation process will include two public workshops. The first will share information about the environmental review process and project scoping / kick-off, and the second will share the environmental analysis findings. The public will be provided notice for each public workshop and invited to provide comments during the open comment period for consideration.
Project Environmental Compliance Review for Park Economy 3 Expansion Project
The Park Economy 3 Expansion Project involves the expansion of the public parking lot currently designated as Park Economy 3. This lot offers one of the lowest daily parking rates and provides shuttle bus service to Terminals 1 and 2. The existing lot has approximately 3,820 spaces. The proposed expansion of the Park Economy 3 parking lot will add approximately 8,000 new spaces. The project is intended to provide an adequate number of spaces to meet the increasing demand for parking as well as the future decommissioning of Park Economy 4. In addition to the new available parking spaces, the existing lot will be rehabilitated. A new entrance plaza is to be constructed and the existing exit plaza is to be expanded. New bus shelters are to be constructed as well.
The FAA reviewed the Park Economy 3 Expansion Project and determined that, due to Section 163 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, it did not retain regulatory authority over this project. Because the FAA does not have regulatory authority, the FAA does not have an action subject to the National Environmental Policy Act. The Airport Authority has also determined the project is not subject to the State Environmental Policy Act. Per the Project Environmental Compliance Review Policy, Authority staff will complete an environmental compliance review along with a public participation process.
Park Economy 3 Expansion Project Environmental Compliance Review Public Workshop 1 — January 9, 2023 Meeting Boards