The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and special purpose environmental laws and regulations, require environmental impact analyses of proposed airport actions that are subject to FAA decision. The environmental review process must be completed before a project commences.

Most airport environmental documents are prepared by airport sponsors. However, depending on the funding arrangement and level of impact, states that receive block grants for airport development or the FAA may prepare some documentation.

This page describes the main regulations, procedures, resources, data, and tools for the airport environmental review process.

FAA Orders and Guidance

• FAA Environmental Desk Reference for Airport Actions
  The companion guide to FAA Order 5050.4, it provides technical information on completing impact analyses by environmental resource category.
• FAA Office of Airports Standard Operating Procedure 5.1, Categorical Exclusion (CATEX) Determinations
  Prepared for Office of Airports personnel, it describes FAA's internal procedures for processing Categorical Exclusions, the least complex level of NEPA documentation for airport actions.

Other Resources

• The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
  A landmark environmental statute, this law requires analysis of potential impacts to the environment and when there are, considering alternatives and mitigation before approving federal actions. It was enacted in response to federal decision-making that did not adequately consider environmental impacts.
• CEQ Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA
  The U.S. regulations for implementing NEPA. FAA's NEPA Orders are largely based on the NEPA statute and CEQ regulations.
• NEPA.GOV
  CEQ's official website, it includes NEPA updates, and CEQ guidance and tools.
• U.S. Department of Transportation Interim Policy on Page Limits for NEPA Documents and Focused Analyses, August 2019
  This policy is intended to help DOT modes prepare succinct NEPA documents. It establishes page limits and a process for when a document exceeds those limits.
• FAA Office of Airports Best Practices for Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Management
• Additional FAA Resources on Environmental Policy and Guidance (by Resource Category)

Data and Tools

• Airport Environmental Records of Decision (RODs)
  A repository of decision documents for proposed airport development that required an Environmental Impact Statement, the most complex level of NEPA documentation.
• Federal Infrastructure Permitting Dashboard