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 Environmental
As a result of Massport's many innovative environmental programs, Boston Logan's effect on the surrounding environment has been dramatically reduced over the past two decades. Massport not only works with federal and state agencies and airport tenants to meet mandated regulations, it also is proactive with its own initiatives in an effort to exceed regulatory requirements and reduce the environmental impact of airport operations. Together with a cleaner and quieter aircraft fleet, Massport's broad range of alternative ground access transportation options and use of alternative fueled vehicles have drastically improved air quality and noise conditions in and around Boston Logan. Massport is also taking full advantage of environmentally responsible, innovative technologies for the construction and modernization of its facilities. For example, the airport's new $390 million, world-class Delta terminal (Terminal A) is expected to be a national model for environmentally-friendly airport facilities. Opened in March 2005, Terminal A's redevelopment affirms Massport's environmental commitment to the community and passengers, with design features which will maximize "green" technology -- including the use of recyclable materials, natural lighting, energy conservation plans and alternative fuel utilization. A direct benefit of Massport's many innovative programs and new aviation technologies is that Logan's effect on the noise environment has been dramatically reduced over the past two decades. In 1980, nearly 63,000 individuals resided within the 65 DNL dBA sound contour or higher. In 2005, that number had dropped to just over 6,400 individuals and there are far fewer individuals within the loudest sound contours. The steady decline in affected population is attributable to quieter aircraft and Massport's noise abatement procedures, even though many more aircraft fly in and out of Logan now than did 20 years ago. Logan's air quality also has improved. A cleaner aircraft fleet, and a range of alternative ground access transportation options, including a reduction of on-airport traffic, conversion to compressed natural gas of the more than 30 shuttle buses that carry passengers to and from its terminals, contribute to air quality improvement Logan's Environmental Management System (EMS) incorporates air quality, noise, and water quality analyses into a system designed to reduce environmental impacts associated with Logan operations. Air Quality  Our web site also provides information on air emissions. The air quality section includes an introduction to airport air quality issues, an air quality glossary, FAQs, and annual emissions data for the primary air emissions associated with airport activity: oxides of nitrogen (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and volatile organic compounds (VOC). Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring information is updated on a quarterly basis. Annual updates will be provided on the Logan Air Quality Initiative (AQI), Massport's innovative program to maintain NOx levels at or below 1999 levels. Noise Abatement Since the late 1970's, Massport has been a national and international leader in minimizing the impacts of airport operations on the environment and its neighbors. In 1976, Massport adopted its first set of Logan Airport Noise Abatement Rules and Regulations. In 1981, Massport was awarded the FAA first-ever grant for sound insulating a school. The Massport Board voted in 1983 to implement one of the nations first residential sound insulation program. In an effort to enhance public access to Logan Airport environmental information and to make data available in a more timely fashion, Massport has expanded it's website to include a broader range of environmental information. In addition to the noise abatement information that previous existed, the noise section of the website now provides population statistics within the DNL 65 dB annual contour by community, and recent data concerning Logan's Cumulative Noise Index (CNI). Water Quality A water quality section includes an overview of relevant water quality issues, a glossary, and FAQs. Water quality information for Massport's four major stormwater outfalls and for the Massport Fire Training Facility outfall also will be updated on a quarterly basis. Information on Massport's Logan Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure plan (SPCC) is also available. The section also addresses fuel use and spill management. Ground Transportation A key element of Massport's environmental strategy is the reduction of trips using single occupancy vehicles (SOV). The Authority's long range goal is to increase air passenger use of high occupancy vehicles (HOV) to 35.2% by the time Logan Airport handles 37.5 million annual air passengers. A 1999 study indicated that just over 30% of air passengers access Logan via HOV modes, when passenger levels were at 27 million. This study was redone in 2003 and results showed 32% HOV at 22.8 million passengers. The Ground Transportation section of this website reports on HOV utilization and highlights Logan transportation providers using alternative fuels. |
Air Quality |
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