Comments on impact of runway extension sought
Commonwealth residents are urged to review and comment on a draft environmental assessment prepared by the Commonwealth Ports Authority for the Rota airport runway extension project.
According to CPA, the proposed $22-million, federally funded development is not expected to significantly affect environmental quality. The project involves adding 1,000 feet to the current 6,000-feet long Rota airport runway.
“This environmental assessment concludes that the proposed action does not constitute a major federal action which significantly affects the quality of the human environment. Therefore, a federal environmental impact statement is not required,” a portion of the draft study read.
CPA findings show that the construction project will have some short-term effects, including noise from the operation of heavy equipment and interruptions or traffic slow-downs if fill-hauling trucks need to use public roads.
However, the project is not expected to have significant long-term adverse impact to geology, hydrology, flora and fauna, historic resources, hazardous materials, air quality, noise quality, and socio-economic resources, CPA said.
The ports authority assured the public that after construction, exposed areas would be seeded with grass or otherwise covered to minimize soil erosion.
The noise that will be added to Rota’s quiet environment is not considered significant, CPA said, because it would not impact residential areas or other “noise sensitive receptors” such as schools and hospitals.
Emissions from diesel-driven equipment, which will be used during construction, may slightly degrade air quality. But CPA vowed that all applicable emission and ambient air quality standards would continue to be met.
Likewise, the project is projected to have no effect to water quality because there are no defined groundwater sources, streams, or waterways in the vicinity of the proposed project, CPA said.
Copies of the draft environmental assessment have been distributed to government agencies, businesses, and public libraries.
Interested members of the community may send their comments on CPA’s evaluation until May 23. Construction is anticipated to begin in September 2005.