The public comment period for the mammoth 2016 Massport Environmental Data Report has been extended to July 29 and is available on the town and Massport websites for review. The report was released by Massport on May 15.
The 30-day public comment period for the 2016 EDR began May 23 and will end on July 29. The distribution list included as Appendix D indicates which listed parties will receive a digital and/or printed copy of this 2016 EDR. The 2016 EDR is presented in its entirety on Massport’s website (http://www.massport.com/massport/about-massport/project- environmental-filings/). Additionally, the 2016 EDR may be obtained by calling (617) 568-3546 or emailing [email protected] during the public comment period.
“Thankfully Massport extended the open comment period an extra 39 days, for a total of two and a half months. Subtracting for the document’s distribution time, the initial 30 days given to review 1,000 pages was grossly inadequate. The sparse document distribution resulted in many people scrambling to get a copy,†said Dawn Quirk of the Airport Hazards Committee. “Massport should not be afraid to go too far to share information; they are robustly staffed to do so.â€
The 2016 noise analysis marks the first time Massport has used the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) new Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT).
Also noted in the report is that passenger activity at Logan Airport has continued to grow faster than previous forecasts; both 2016 and 2017 achieved new passenger level peaks. This growth is being experienced across the U.S., but more prominently here in Boston due to a strong regional economy based primarily on business, education, healthcare, and tourism.
Some of the keys points in the report are:
- In 2016, U.S. passenger traffic grew by 3.8 percent, whereas Logan Airport experienced a passenger growth of 8.5 percent, more than double during the same period.
- Overall, Logan Airport served 55 non-stop international destinations in 2016, compared to 47 in 2015.
- From 2000 to 2016, the annual number of passengers at Logan Airport increased by 30.9 percent, while the annual number of aircraft operations decreased by 19.8 percent.
- The total number of air passengers increased by 8.5 percent to 36.3 million in 2016, compared to 33.4 million in 2015. The 2016 passenger level represents a new record high for Logan Airport.
- Massport’s comprehensive noise abatement program includes a dedicated Noise Abatement Office; a state-of-the-art Noise and Operations Monitoring system; residential and school sound insulation programs; time and runway restrictions for noisier aircraft; ground run-up procedures; and flight tracks designed to optimize over-water operations (especially during nighttime hours).
- Increases in departures from Runway 9 and Runway 27 had the effect of expanding the noise contour over Winthrop near Deer Island.