FAA begins environmental impact statement for new runway at Charlotte Douglas airport

© Shutterstock

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently began an environmental impact statement (EIS) for associated projects at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in Charlotte, North Carolina, including a new parallel runway.

Due to an estimated increase in flight operations and passenger traffic through CLT, Charlotte’s Airport Enhancement Plan has recommended a 12,000-foot-long runway be completed by 2023. CLT is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 1.9 percent, increasing from more than 545,000 operations in 2016 to more than 740,000 operations in 2033.

The initial phase of the EIS will identify reasonable alternatives and also examine effects on airport operations if the runway is not built. The EIS is planned to be completed by 2020 and the public will be given multiple opportunities to offer input before that time.

An EIS conducted by federal agencies is required by the National Environment Policy Act whenever a project is proposed that would result in changes to the Airport Layout Plan. While the FAA had previously granted $3.75 million to CLT for the project, the total cost will be determined after the scoping phase of the study.

Looking at 14 categories of potential environmental impacts, the EIS for CLT will include aircraft noise and compatible land use, air quality, water resources, historic resources, and socioeconomic and environmental justice.