Draft Environmental Assessment for Runway 8-26 Reconstruction Volume 1: Chapters 1-6 Rafael Hernandez Airport, Puerto Rico July 2020 This page intentionally left blank. Rafael Hernandez Airport Runway 8-26 Reconstruction Draft Environmental Assessment Prepared for: Puerto Rico Port Authority and Federal Aviation Administration Prepared by: AECOM July 2020 This page intentionally left blank. Rafael Hernandez Airport Draft TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 1-1 1.1. Airport Description and Background ..................................................... 1-1 1.1.1. Existing Airport Facilities at BQN .......................................................... 1-3 1.1.1.1. Airside Facilities ................................................................................... 1-3 1.1.1.2. Landside Facilities ................................................................................ 1-5 1.1.2. Aviation Activity at BQN ........................................................................ 1-6 1.2. Description of the Proposed Project ..................................................... 1-6 1.3. Environmental Documentation .............................................................. 1-7 CHAPTER 2 PURPOSE AND NEED ...................................................................................... 2-1 2.1. Airport Sponsor’s Purpose and Need ................................................... 2-1 2.1.1. Purpose ................................................................................................ 2-1 2.1.2. Need .................................................................................................... 2-1 2.1.3. FAA Design and Safety Standards ....................................................... 2-2 2.2. Requested Federal Action .................................................................... 2-5 2.3. Timeframe of the Proposed Project ...................................................... 2-6 CHAPTER 3 ALTERNATIVES ................................................................................................ 3-1 3.1. Alternatives Considered ....................................................................... 3-1 3.2. Alternatives Screening Process ............................................................ 3-8 3.2.1. Level 1 Analysis – Purpose and Need .................................................. 3-8 3.2.2. Level 2 Analysis – Operations and Constructability .............................. 3-8 3.2.3. Level 3 Analysis – Environmental Impacts ............................................ 3-9 3.3. Alternatives Screening Results ........................................................... 3-10 3.3.1. Purpose and Need ............................................................................. 3-10 3.3.2. Operations and Constructability .......................................................... 3-14 3.3.3. Potential Environmental Impact .......................................................... 3-14 CHAPTER 4 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ...... 4-1 4.1. Introduction .......................................................................................... 4-1 4.1.1. Study Areas .......................................................................................... 4-1 4.1.2. Study Years .......................................................................................... 4-5 4.2. Air Quality ............................................................................................. 4-6 Runway 8-26 Reconstruction Environmental Assessment i Rafael Hernandez Airport Draft 4.2.1. Affected Environment ........................................................................... 4-6 4.2.1.1. Air Quality Monitoring ........................................................................... 4-6 4.2.1.2. Baseline Air Emissions Inventory ......................................................... 4-8 4.2.2. Environmental Consequences .............................................................. 4-8 4.2.2.1. Construction Emissions ........................................................................ 4-9 4.2.2.2. Avoidance, Minimization and Mitigation Measures ............................. 4-10 4.3. Climate ............................................................................................... 4-11 4.3.1. Affected Environment ......................................................................... 4-11 4.3.2. Environmental Consequences ............................................................ 4-11 4.3.2.1. Construction Emissions ...................................................................... 4-12 4.3.2.2. Avoidance, Minimization and Mitigation Measures ............................. 4-12 4.4. Coastal Resources ............................................................................. 4-13 4.4.1. Affected Environment ......................................................................... 4-13 4.4.2. Environmental Consequences ............................................................ 4-13 4.4.2.1. Avoidance, Minimization and Mitigation Measures ............................. 4-18 4.5. DOT Section 4(f) Resources............................................................... 4-18 4.5.1. Affected Environment ......................................................................... 4-18 4.5.2. Environmental Consequences ............................................................ 4-21 4.5.2.1. Physical Use ...................................................................................... 4-21 4.5.2.2. Constructive Use ................................................................................ 4-23 4.5.2.3. Avoidance, Minimization and Mitigation Measures ............................. 4-25 4.6. Hazardous Materials, Pollution Prevention and Solid Waste............... 4-27 4.6.1. Affected Environment ......................................................................... 4-27 4.6.2. Environmental Consequences ............................................................ 4-28 4.6.2.1. Construction Impacts .......................................................................... 4-28 4.6.2.2. Operational Impacts ........................................................................... 4-34 4.6.2.3. Avoidance, Minimization and Mitigation Measures ............................. 4-35 4.7. Historical, Architectural, Archaeological and Cultural Resources ........ 4-35 4.7.1. Affected Environment ......................................................................... 4-35 4.7.2. Environmental Consequences ............................................................ 4-38 4.8. Natural Resources and Energy Supply ............................................... 4-55 4.8.1. Affected Environment ......................................................................... 4-55 4.8.2. Environmental Consequences ............................................................ 4-57 Runway 8-26 Reconstruction Environmental Assessment ii Rafael Hernandez Airport Draft 4.8.2.1. Avoidance, Minimization and Mitigation Measures ............................. 4-57 4.9. Noise and Noise Compatible Land Use .............................................. 4-58 4.9.1. Environmental Consequences ............................................................ 4-60 4.9.1.1. Avoidance, Minimization and Mitigation Measures ............................. 4-76 4.10. Socioeconomics, Environmental Justice, and children’s Health and Safety Risks ................................................................................ 4-80 4.10.1. Affected Environment ......................................................................... 4-80 4.10.1.1. Population .......................................................................................... 4-80 4.10.1.2. Age, Race and Ethnicity ..................................................................... 4-81 4.10.1.3. Housing Characteristics ...................................................................... 4-81 4.10.1.4. Economy and Employment ................................................................. 4-82 4.10.1.5. Household Income and Poverty .......................................................... 4-83 4.10.1.6. Environmental Justice ........................................................................ 4-83 4.10.2. Environmental Consequences ............................................................ 4-85 4.10.2.1. Socioeconomics ................................................................................. 4-86 4.10.2.2. Environmental Justice ........................................................................ 4-87 4.10.2.3. Children’s Health and Safety .............................................................. 4-88 4.10.2.4. Surface Transportation ....................................................................... 4-88 4.10.2.5. Avoidance, Minimization and Mitigation Measures ............................. 4-90 4.11. Water Resources (Including Surface Water and Groundwater) .......... 4-93 4.11.1. Affected Environment ......................................................................... 4-93 4.11.1.1. Hydrology ........................................................................................... 4-93 4.11.1.2. Groundwater ...................................................................................... 4-93 4.11.1.3. Water Supply and Treatment .............................................................