OAKLAND AIRPORT TERMINAL
MODERNIZATION & DEVELOPMENT
PROJECT EIR COMMENTS
CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 3, 2023
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
1927 – Construction and Opening of the Oakland Airport
1974 – Airport sued Alameda over plans to build Harbor Bay Isle housing, ending in a settlement 1990 – Congress passed the Airport Noise and Capacity Act (ANCA) removing local governments’ ability to enact or enforce airport noise standards. ANCA centralized airport noise regulation at the federal level with the FAA
2001-2003 – The City of Alameda, Citizens League for Airport Safety and Serenity (CLASS), and Keep Jets Over the Bay (KJOB) sued over the Airport Development Plan resulting in a settlement.
Two settlement agreements laid a framework for collaboration 2004-2023 - Over the next 20 years:
• Airport Noise Office
• Compliance plan and monitoring – communications, reporting, use reasonable efforts • Stakeholder Groups – Airport Noise Forum, North Field / South Field Working Group, Citizens Oversight and Reporting Committee
Today - Port of Oakland Seaport/Airport supports up to 1,520 jobs for Alamedans, and the City and the Port share mutual interests
2CITY COUNCIL - OCTOBER 3, 2023 – OAKLAND AIRPORT EIR
Project Goals per the Port of Oakland:
• “Bring OAK facilities into the 21st century” - Terminal 1 was constructed in 1962 (61 years) and Terminal 2 in 1985 (38 years)
• “Meet industry safety standards, improve operational
efficiency, and accommodate an increase in passengers”
• Consolidate passenger processing functions (ticketing, baggage handling, security, customs)
• Expand international arrivals facilities
• Reconfigure existing cargo and support facilities
• Improve roadway, parking areas, and support facilities CITY COUNCIL - OCTOBER 3, 2023 – OAKLAND AIRPORT EIR 3
OAKLAND AIRPORT PROJECT / EIR
CITY COUNCIL - OCTOBER 3, 2023 – OAKLAND AIRPORT EIR 4
Existing Airport – 13 million annual passengers
• South Field – 29 gates at two terminals
• North Field – corporate and general aviation
• Cargo Freight – FedEx and UPS
Project Scope – Anticipates 18 to 25 million passengers in 2028 and 2038 • New Terminal – add 16 gates at new terminal
• New Support Facilities – ticketing, security, baggage, circulation, customs • Relocate Cargo and Support Facilities
• New Parking Lots
• Demolish existing Maintenance Hanger
CITY COUNCIL - OCTOBER 3, 2023 – OAKLAND AIRPORT EIR 5
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS
Spring 2021 - Notice of Preparation / Project Scoping
July 2023 - Public Comment period on Draft EIR commences:
◦ Extensive technical analysis in document and appendices ◦ Draft City comment letter for Council review
◦ Comments Due by October 16, 2023
Next Steps:
Final EIR / Responses to Comments, Findings, Action on Project NEPA – FAA analysis still pending – federal funding and airport plan amendment 6CITY COUNCIL - OCTOBER 3, 2023 – OAKLAND AIRPORT EIR
Citizens League for Airport Safety and
Serenity (CLASS)
• CLASS is a “nonprofit, community advocacy organization made up of individuals and homeowner association members formed to protect the safety, health and welfare of the people living in Alameda and communities near the Oakland Airport.”
• CLASS is a party to the Settlement Agreements
• City staff and CLASS collaborate on airport matters affecting Alameda • Airport Noise Forum, North/South Field Working Groups • City staff engaged CLASS/Port regarding Draft EIR:
• Met with them multiple times
• Attended community meetings
• Shared Draft EIR Comment Letter with CLASS
7 EIR FUNDAMENTAL AREAS OF CONCERN
Assumptions on Projected Aircraft Volumes
Impact Analysis and Mitigations:
◦ Noise
◦ Air Quality
◦ Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions
◦ Safety
◦ Transportation
Project Alternatives Analysis
Conclusions
8CITY COUNCIL - OCTOBER 3, 2023 – OAKLAND AIRPORT EIR
*The EIR is an informational
document used to inform the
public of environmental
impacts, identify ways to
minimize impacts, and
identify alternatives that
would reduce impacts.
CITY COUNCIL - OCTOBER 3, 2023 – OAKLAND AIRPORT EIR 9
• North Field air traffic over Bay
Farm Island is a major concern
to Bay Farm
• Flight path from New Terminals
proposed to be similar to that of
South Field, but likely to create
congestion on the
tarmac/taxiways, furthering
discouraging planes from taking
off the South field runway and
therefore, using North Field.
• Proposed 2,075-car Maitland
Parking Lot is accessed via Ron
Cowan Parkway and not through
City of Alameda.
• Overall increase in airplane
traffic generates more noise and
air pollution.
North Field – mostly general
aviation and corporate jets
South Field – commercial airlines
(e.g., Southwest, United, etc.)
Key Considerations
RECOMMENDATION
Provide Direction on Draft Letter regarding EIR Comments and Request for Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between City and Port of Oakland
Next Steps for Staff:
City Manager and City Attorney to review final letter consistent with Council direction before submittal by 10/16/23
City staff to monitor how Final EIR addresses City comments City to work with Port of Oakland to enter into a new MOU with the City that:
◦ Memorializes current best practices regarding compliance rates and community engagement ◦ Receives commitment from Port to advocate on Alameda’s behalf to FAA (re: Flight Paths, etc.) ◦ Revises/updates goals and metrics for the Airport Noise Program ◦ Continues commitment of Port staff and resources for Noise Forum, etc. ◦ Is negotiated prior to Final EIR
10CITY COUNCIL - OCTOBER 3, 2023 – OAKLAND AIRPORT EIR