Certificate on the 2005 data report, February 2007

Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs · from the MEPA office · 6 pages · 490 KB
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Deval L. Patrick
GOVERNOR 
Timothy P. ~Murray 
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR 
Ian A. Bowles 
SECRETARY 
17ie ~ommonwealth o f Massachusetts 
Eecutive Offi of Environmental-Affairs 
100 Cambridge street, Suite 900
Boston, 5k@ 02114 
Tel: (61 7) 626-1000
Fax: (6 17) 626- 1 18 1 
http:Nwww.rnass.gov/envir 
February 15,2007 
CERTIFICATE OF THE SECRETARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
ON THE
2005 LOGAN AIRPORT ENVIRONMENTAL DATA REPORT 
PROJECT NAME : 2005 Environmental Data Report 
PROJECT MUNICIPALITY : Boston / Winthrop 
PROJECT WATERSHED : Boston Harbor
EOEA NUMBER : 3247
PROJECT PROPONENT : Massachusetts Port Authority 
DATE NOTICED IN MONITOR : December 23,2006 
As Secretary of Environmental Affairs, I hereby determine that the Environmental Data Report
submitted on this project adequately and properly complies with the Massachusetts
Environmental Policy Act (G. L. c. 30, ss. 6 1-62H) and with its implementing regulations (301
CMR 1 1.00). 
The environmental review process at Logan Airport has been structured to occur on two levels:
airport-wide and project-specific. The Environmental Status and Planning Report (ESPR) has
evolved from a largely retrospective status report on airport operations to a broader analysis that
also provides a prospective assessment of long-range plans. It has thus become (consistent with
the objectives of the MEPA regulations) part of Massachusetts Port Authority's (Massport) long
range planning. The ESPR provides a "big picture" analysis of environmental impacts associated
with current and anticipated levels of activities, and presents an overall mitigation strategy aimed
at avoiding increases in such impacts. The ESPR analysis is supplemented by (and ultimately
incorporates) the detailed analyses and mitigation commitments of project-specific EIRs. The
ESPR is currently updated on a five-year basis, with much less detailed Environmental Data
Reports (EDR) filed in the years between submission of the ESPRs. The 2005 EDR is the
subject of this Certificate.

EDR Certificate 
Background 
In 1979, the Secretary of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA) issued a
Certificate requiring Massport to define, evaluate, and disclose, every three years, the impact of
long-term growth at the airport through a Generic Environmental Impact Report (GEIR). The
Certificate also required the submission of interim Annual Updates to provide data on conditions
for the years between the GEIRs. The GEIR provided projections of environmental conditions
where the cumulative effects of individual projects could be understood. The Secretary's
Certificate on the 1997 Annual Upckite proposed a revised environmental review process for
Logan Airport. As a result, Massport evaluates the cumulative impacts associated with airport
activities through preparation of an ESPR every five years and provides data updates annually
through the EDRs. 
Review of the 2005 EDR 
In general, the EDR has fulfilled its purpose of providing a "snapshot" of year 2005 passenger
and impact levels at Logan Airport. Most environmental parameters showed significant
improvement in calendar year 2005. In particular, the technical studies in the 2005 EDR included
reporting on and analysis of key indicators of airport activity levels, airport planning, the regional
transportation system, ground access, noise, air quality, environmental management, and project
mitigation tracking. 
As always, EOEA remains committed to evaluating and addressing the cumulative impacts of
airport operations on the nearby communities. In June 2001, Massport agreed to work with
EOEA on structuring a proposed Air Quality Initiative (AQI). The Certificate indicated that 
Massport was "to solicit project submissions from local governments and community groups,
which will be reviewed in an objective, science-based process by a neutral organization such as
NESCAUM." The 2005 EDR reiterates that Massport has committed to the Air Quality
Initiative, a key program designed to mitigate the cumulative air quality impacts of airport
operations. The 2005 EDR details how Massport is meeting this commitment. The 2006 EDR
should continue to report on the details of Massport's committment. In addition to the
environmental issues listed below, the 2006 EDR should address all of the air quality and noise
related issues raised by the commenters during the review of the 2005 EDR. 
Follow-up 
Massport should file the next EDR (covering operations for the 2006 calendar year) in calendar
year 2007. The EDR should provide more of a "snapshot" of the 2006 operations and impacts,
with more substantial analysis awaiting the.next GEIR. Massport should also address the
comments received on the current EDR when developing its 2006 EDR. 
Responses to Comments 
The next EDR must include Responses to Comments which addresses all of the substantive
comments from the letters listed at the end of this Certificate. The Response to Comments

EOEA# 3247 EDR Certificate 021 14/07 
included in this EDR is well-constructed and cross-referenced. Massport may follow the same
format in addressing comments in the next EDR, although the Responses to Comments should
pay particular attention to increased specificity, where necessary. 
The majority of comments received on the 2005 EDR focused on air quality and noise related
issues, including measurement of noise, modeling of noise contours, and noise abatement. In
addition to responding to these comments, the 2006 EDR and future EDRs should also continue
to report on the refinements to noise tracking and abatement efforts. 
Activity Levels 
The Activity Levels chapter presents aviation activity statistics for Logan Airport in 2005 and
compares activity levels to the prior year including air passengers, aircraft operations, fleet mix,
and cargolmail volumes. Air passenger traffic at Logan Airport continued to rebound in 2005, but
remained below the peak year level reached in 2000. Specifically, the total number of passengers
using Logan Airport in 2005 increased by 3.6 percent over the prior year to 27.1 million
passengers. In 2005, total aircraft operations (409,066 operations) at Logan Airport increased by
0.9 percent over 2004 levels. While 2005 passenger traffic at Logan Airport was approximately
equal to I999 levels, in 2005 these passengers were being carried on approximately 86,000 fewer
flights (495,000 flights in 1999 versus 409,066 flights in 2005). Several commenters raised
concerns with the increase in passenger levels requesting long-term solutions to meeting demand
which do not include expansion of Logan Airport's capacity or footprint. I advise Massport to
consider and attempt to address these comments in the next 20006 EDR.
Planning 
The Airport Planning chapter provides an overview of planning, construction, and permitting
activities that occurred at Logan Airport in 2005. It also describes known future planning,
construction, and permitting activities. Specifically, several projects were completed in 2005
including the majority of construction of the main terminal and satellite concourse of Delta Air
Lines' Replacement. Terminal A Project was completed in 2004, with final fit up and
commissioning in 2005. Massport also launched Exit Express as part of an on-going program to
improve parking facilities and improve air quality through enhanced circulation and reduced
idling at the toll booths. In addition, as part of a cooperative venture between the Massachusetts
Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Massport, initial Silver Line service to the airport
began in December 2004. Full Silver Line service to Logan Airport began on June 1,2005. 
The chapter also includes future planning including: ongoing expansion and upgrade of Terminal
E and completion of West Garage Phase II(Centra1 Garage Expansion); more efficient ways of
using the limited land resources in the service areas; airside improvements include upgrades and
improvements to the airfield to enhance the operations, efficiency and safety of Logan Airport; In
addition, buffer areas are being designed in consultation with Logan Airport's neighbors and
other interested parties in a community planning process. Massport is also considering a parking
strategy to address future on-airport parking demands. Some ongoing and future parking projects
and planning concepts include redeveloping three parcels into a combined economy parking

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facility with the capacity for up to 1,750 vehicles and a new consolidated facility for all car rental
operations. 
Regional Transpol-tation 
This chapter des'cribes activity levels at New England's regional airports in 2005 and updates
recent planning activities. Overall, the number of air passengers utilizing New England's primary
commercial service airports in 2005 rose by 5.3 percent over 2004. When measured by aircraft
operations, however, activity levels fell by 0.6 percent. This reflects sweeping changes in both
the commercial aviation and general aviation (GA) sectors of the industry. Passenger numbers
rose despite capacity reductions as airlines operated at higher load factors. Carriers flew fewer
flights to the regional airports than in 2004, but used larger aircraft on average in 2005, and
carried more passengers. GA operations at New England airports declined by 3.8 percent from
the 2004 levels. The Boston Transportation Department has raised a number of suggestions
related to the Regional Transportation that Massport should consider in the 2006 EDR.
Ground Transportation 
This chapter reports on transit ridership, roadways, traffic volumes, and parking for 2005.
Specifically, ground transportation activity levels increased from 2004 to 2005 as a result of a 3.6
percent increase in the number of air passengers. In addition, traffic volumes on airport
roadways increased by 5.8 percent, while the vehicle miles traveled (VMT) on the airport
increased by 4.2 percent. The lower VMT growth when compared to overall traffic volume
growth suggests that more direct connections over shorter roadway distances are provided. The
facilities at the MBTA Blue Line Airport Station were also substantially improved in 2005,
including the conversion from a manual to an automated fare collection system. In addition, full
MBTA Silver Line service to Logan Airport began on June 1,2005. In 2005, Terminal A and its
associated access roadways were fully opened for operation. There were no other roadway
modifications completed in 2005. In addition, contract negotiations began between Massport and
the C & J Bus Company in New Hampshire to expand early morning transportation between
New Hampshire and Logan Airport. This service began in 2006. Massport also re-bid its Logan
Airport Transportation Management Association (Logan TMA) contract with the Executive
Office of Transportation (EOT) through the MassRIDES program. 
Noise 
The Noise Abatement chapter updates the status of the noise environment at Logan Airport in
2005, and describes Massport's efforts to reduce noise levels. In 2005, the number of people
exposed to Day-Night Sound Level (DNL) values greater than 65 decibels (dB) decreased
compared to 2004. An estimated 6,477 people were exposed to DNL levels greater than 65 dB in
2005, compared to 9,438 in 2004, and 7,183 in 2003. The total count of people exposed to 65 dB
Day-Night Sound Level (DNL) and above was 55 percent lower than in 200 1. Winthrop, which
has always experienced the highest levels of noise exposure of any community around Logan
Airport, continued its decline in the number of people exposed to levels greater than 65 DNL.
This number has dropped 8 1 percent since reaching its peak in 1998. The number of residents

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exposed to noise over 75 DNL increased from 2004 but still remained below 200 1 levels. 
The 2005 Cumulative Noise Index (CNI) of 153.2 Effective Perceived Noise Level (EPNdB)
remained well below the cap of 156.5 EPNdB. The CNI decreased slightly compared to 2004
even with a slight increase in the number of operations in 2005. This decrease is primarily due to
decreased use of recertified aircraft by cargo operators. Massport provided sound insulation for
47 1 residential dwelling units in 2005. Since the program's inception, Massport has sound
insulated a total of 9,086 dwelling units. The majority of the units insulated in 2005 were in
Winthrop. 
The information in this chapter is very informative and I encourage Massport to continue with its
updates in the 2006 EDR. I also strongly advise Massport to consider and address the numerous
comments received that have raised noise related concerns in comments. 
Air Oualitv 
The Air Quality/Emissions Reduction chapter provides an overview of airport-related air quality
issues in 2005 and efforts to reduce emissions. The 2005 emissions inventory results are driven
by the small increase in aircraft operations at Logan Airport compared to 2004 levels. Compared
to 2004 levels, total emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are estimated to have
decreased by approximately 6 percent to 1,285 kilograms per day (kglday). In 2005, total
emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) were estimated to be 4,187 kglday, which is a 2 percent
decrease from 2004 levels. Total emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) in 2005 were 9,556 kglday,
or 3 percent lower than 2004 levels. 
For the first time, estimates of particulate matter emissions associated with Logan Airport are
reported in this 2005 EDR in response to the recent availability of an FAA-approved method for
computing particulate matter emission factors for aircraft. Total emissions of particulate matter
(PM2.5) at Logan Airport in 2005 were approximately 83 kglday [33 tonslyear (tpy)]. NOx 
emissions at Logan Airport in 2005 were approximately 662 tpy lower than 1999 levels-a 28
percent decrease. It appears that there is an ongoing trend of decreasing nitrogen dioxide (N02) 
concentrations at both the Massport and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection 
(MassDEP) monitoring sites located in the general vicinity of Logan Airport. In addition, annual 
NO2 concentrations at all monitoring locations were well below the NO2 air quality standards in
2005. The 2006 EDR should continue updates on the information presented in the 2005 EDR. 
Water Qualitv/Environmental Compliance 
This chapter describes Massport's ongoing environmental management activities including
NPDES compliance, stormwater, fuel spills, activities under the Massachusetts Contingency
Plan, and tank management. Specifically, of the 97 spills reported in 2005, 15 (15 percent) were
ten gallons or greater in quantity. Jet fuel spills accounted for 66 (68 percent) of the total spills,
12 of the jet fuel spills (18 percent) were ten gallons or greater in quantity. The remaining 3 1
spills involved gasoline, hydraulic oil, diesel fuel, and other substances. Of these spills, only

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three (10 percent) were ten gallons or greater. In 2005, only eight samples exceeded the
regulatory limits. The North Outfall had two samples which exceeded the 15 milligrams per liter 
( m g k ) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) limit for oil and grease, and
the Porter Street Outfall had one sample exceed this limit. The North Outfall had two samples
which exceeded the 0.3 milliliters per liter (mlL) daily maximum limit for settable solids, and
the West Outfall had three samples exceed this limit. No other exceedances occurred. In
accordance with the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP), Massport should continue to report
in the 2006 EDR how Massport will assess, remediate, and bring to regulatory closure areas of
subsurface contamination.
Sustainability at Logan Airport 
This chapter describes Massport's airport wide sustainability goals. In October 2000, the 
Massport Board approved an Authority-wide Environmental Management Policy, which
articulates Massport's commitment to protect the environment and to implement sustainable
design principles. In October 2004, the Massport Sustainability Team produced the 
Massach~isetts Port Authority Sustaincrhility Plan (Sustainability Plan). The Environmental
Management Policy is incorporated in the Sustainability Plan as Massport's long-term
sustainability goal or vision. This chapter describes Massport's continued efforts. 
As I stated at the beginning of this Certificate, the 2006 EDR must provide responses to the
issues raised in comments received. The 2006 EDR must include a copy of this Certificate and a
copy of each comment letter received on the 2005 EDR. In particular, Massport should provide a
thorough examination of issues raised regarding individual noise monitoring locations, noise
measurement and modeling, and noise abatement. Massport should consult directly with
individual commentors where necessary. 
A distribution list for the 2006 EDR (indicating those receiving documents, CDs, or Notices of 
Availability) should be provided in the document. This section must also include copies of all 
GEIRlAnnual Update Certificates issued since 1995 to provide context for reviewers. 
Supporting technical appendices should be provided as necessar 
February 15,2007 
Date Ian A. Bowles 
Comments Received:
0 1/30/07 State Representative Robert A. DeLeo 
0113 1/07 Joseph Felzani
02/05/07 Boston Transportation Department
02/06/07 Nancy Timmerman
02/07/07 Stephen Kaiser 
021 13/07 City of Boston Environment Department