Certificate on the 2007 data report, October 2008

Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs · from the MEPA office · 9 pages · 682 KB
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The ComrnonweaCth of Nassachusetts 
Qecutive Ofice of Energy andEnvironmentaCJffairs 
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900
Boston, NJ 02114 
Deval L. Patrick
GOVERNOR 
Timothy P. Murray
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR 
Tel: (617) 626-1000
Fax: (617) 626-1 181
http://w.mass.gov/envir 
Ian A. Bowles
SECRETARY 
October 3 1,2008 
CERTIFICATE OF THE SECRETARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
ON THE
2007 LOGAN AIRPORT ENVIRONMENTAL DATA REPORT 
PROJECT NAME : 2007 Environmental Data Report 
PROJECT MUNICIPALITY : Boston 1 Winthrop 
PROJECT WATERSHED : Boston Harbor
EOEA NUMBER : 3247
PROJECT PROPONENT : Massachusetts Port Authority 
DATE NOTICED IN MONITOR : September 24,2008 
As Secretary of Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), 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. 61-621) 
and with its implementing regulations (301 CMR 11.00). 
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 Massport's long range planning. In recognition
of the increased role of planning in the Generic Environmental Impact Report (GEIR) process,
the name of the document was changed to ESPR. 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 5-year basis, with much less
detailed Environmental Data Reports (EDR) (formerly Annual Updates) filed in the years
between ESPRs. The 2007 EDR is the subject of this Certificate.

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In general, the EDR has fulfilled its purpose of providing a "snapshot" of year 2007 passenger
and impact levels at Logan Airport. Most environmental parameters showed improvement in
calendar year 2007. In particular, the technical studies in the 2007 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. Mitigation of noise impacts and air quality remain key concerns both of this
office and the commenters. These commitments take the form of project-specific Section 61
Findings, as well as more general mitigation that has emerged from the ESPR process. 
Background 
In 1979, the Secretary of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs 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 Update 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 2007 EDR 
As always, EEA remains committed to evaluating and addressing the cumulative impacts of
airport operations on the nearby communities. In June 2001, Massport agreed to work with EEA
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 2007 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 2007 EDR details how Massport is meeting this commitment. The 2008 EDR
should continue to report on the details of Massport's commitment and address the concerns
raised by the commenters on this issue. In addition to the environmental issues listed below, the
2008 EDR should address all of the air quality and noise related issues raised by the commenters
during the review of the 2007 EDR. 
Procedural for 2008 EDR 
Given the overall strength of the analysis in the 2007 EDR, the 2008 EDR can restrict itself to
providing an update on 2008 conditions, and respond to those issues explicitly noted in this
Certificate and the comments received as requiring response in the next EDR. The EDR should

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provide a "snapshot" of the 2008 operations and impacts, with more substantial analysis awaiting
the next ESPR. Massport should file the 2008 EDR no later than October 15,2009 (although I
encourage Massport to file sooner). 
A distribution list for the 2008 EDR (indicating those receiving documents, CDs, or Notices of
Availability) should be provided in the document. This section must also include copies of all
ESPR and EDR Certificates issued since the 2004 Logan Environmental Status and Planning
Report (issued on August 16,2006) to provide context for reviewers. Supporting technical
appendices should be provided as necessary. 
Responses to Comments 
The comments received on the 2007 EDR are thoughtful and detailed. The 2008 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 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 2007 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 2008 EDR and future EDRs should also continue
to report on the refinements to noise tracking and abatement efforts. Massport should consult
directly with individual commentors where appropriate. 
Organization of the Certificate 
I have organized the remainder of this Certificate to respond to issues raised roughly in the order
in which they were presented in the 2007 EDR, although I have for the most part incorporated
discussion of issues raised in the technical appendix into the discussion of the environmental
impact analyses. 
Activity Levels 
The Activity Levels chapter provides a solid analysis of major activity issues and the technical
appendix contains useful and detailed information. This chapter presents aviation activity
statistics for Logan Airport in 2007 and compares activity levels to the prior year including air
passengers, aircraft operations, fleet mix, and cargolmail volumes. In 2007, the total number of
air passengers reached 28.1 million, up from 27.7 million in 2006. The increase in the total
number of air passengers at Logan Airport was 1.4 percent compared to 2.4 percent in the
previous year. Specifically, the total number of aircraft operations declined from 406,119 in 2006
to 399,537 in 2007, a decrease of 1.6 percent. Operations by general aviation (GA) aircraft

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decreased most significantly (8.9 percent) in 2007 as compared to passenger and cargo
operations. As a result of continued passenger growth and a reduction in operations, the number
of air passengers per aircraft operation continued to increase in 2007. Air cargo volumes,
continued to decline from 679 million pounds in 2006 to 632 million pounds in 2007. In
addition to reporting the analysis of major activity issues, I advise Massport to consider and
attempt to address all comments related to activity levels in the 2008 EDR. 
Planning 
The Airport Planning chapter provides an overview of planning, construction, and permitting
activities that occurred at Logan Airport in 2007. It also describes known future planning,
construction, and permitting activities. Several projects were completed in 2007 including the
International Gateway Project (Terminal E) Phase 2. The Federal Inspection Services (FIS)
facility was enlarged and the new arrivals level was constructed with the other Phase 2
improvements. The replacement GA Facility in the North Cargo Area was completed and opened
in June, 2007 and the southwest corner of Taxiway D was realigned. In addition, the Terminal
Area Roadway Landscaping was completed in 2007 and significant portions of Bremen Street
Park were completed in early 2007. Also Phase I1 of the West Garage Project was completed
which added three levels of parking to the Central Garage. 
Regional Transportation 
In general, the 2007 EDR has met the requirements laid out in the ESPR Certificate with respect
to regional transportation issues. This chapter describes activity levels at New England's
regional airports in 2007 and updates recent planning activities. Massport has demonstrated that
it is coordinating its planning with other transportation agencies, and that this planning effort is
aimed at minimizing cumulative impacts fiom Logan Airport operations. The 2007 EDR
includes estimates of potential passenger diversions from Logan, and outlines how Massport 
planning encourages those diversions. The total number of air passengers using New England's
primary commercial service airports in 2007 increased marginally, fiom 47.1 3 million in 2006 to
47.2 million. Of the 47.2 million air passengers using New England's primary commercial
service airports in 2007, 60 percent utilized Logan Airport as compared to 88 percent in 1995.
When measured by the number of aircraft operations, activity levels fell by 2.1 percent, from
1.33 million operations in 2006 to 1.31 million operations in 2007. 
The directives in the ESPR Certificate were laid out to have Massport look at potential
diversions, and explain how its planning and coordination with other agencies could impact
potential diversions. The 2007 EDR has performed this task. I direct Massport to continue the
directive from the ESPR Certificate for the 2008 EDR. 
This chapter also reflects that passenger traffic at the regional airports fell by 1.6 percent. Major
airlines reduced capacity at the regional airports in 2007 because they eliminated unprofitable

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routes and reduced their domestic flying to deal with the high and rising cost of fuel. Passenger
declines were generally consistent with capacity reductions. Declines in GA activity in New
England (declined by 3.5 percent compared with 2.6 percent nationally in 2007) continue to
outpace declines in the rest of the country, which is largely attributed to the impact of rising fuel
costs on recreational flying. 
Ground Transportation 
The 2007 EDR serves its purpose of updating 2007 ground access conditions on the airport, and
has also adequately addresses the updating of the three new programs to support employees' use
of alternative transportation options. 
This chapter reports on transit ridership, roadways, traffic volumes, and parking for 2007.
Specifically, ground transportation activity levels increased across the board from 2006 to 2007
as a result of a 1.4 percent increase in the number of air passengers. The re-opening of Interstate
90 (1-90) connecting the City of Boston and areas to the south and west of Boston to Logan
Airport resulted in increased traffic flows to and from the Airport when compared to previous
years. The 2007 EDR reports that ridership on water transportation, scheduled and unscheduled
high occupancy vehicle (HOV) services, and employee ridership on Logan Express increased
over 2005 levels. The 2007 EDR also reports that the number of on-Airport parkers decreased by
16.9 percent in 2007 compared to 2005. A portion of this decrease is likely due to the increase of
pick-up and drop-off at the Airport. 
I also note that this chapter discusses that the Logan Employee Transportation Management
Association (Logan TMA) introduced and implemented three new programs to support
employees' use of alternative transportation options: the Sunrise Shuttle, which provides shuttle
services between 3:00 AM and 5:30 AM for Airport employees who reside in East Boston; the
Logan TMA Preferential Carpooling, which provides free terminal garage parking to employees
in Logan TMA member companies who carpool in groups of three or more; and the Commuter
Cash program, which financially rewards employees ($3/day) who switch from driving alone to
either carpooling, bicycling, walking, or using public transportation. The 2008 EDR should
continue to update 2008 ground access conditions on the airport and report on the use of the
three new programs to support employees' use of alternative transportation options. 
Noise 
The Noise Abatement chapter updates the status of the noise environment at Logan Airport in
2007, and describes Massport's efforts to reduce noise levels. The technical appendix contains
useful and detailed information, while the main text provides a solid analysis of major noise
issues. Many of the issues raised in the noise analysis are ongoing and require continuous
monitoring, a point raised by several commenters. The future 2008 EDR represents an
appropriate forum to serve this updating function.

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2007 was the first full year of operation for Runway 14-32. Consistent with the 2002 Record of
Decision (ROD) on the Airside Improvements Planning Project and based on FAA data, the
runway was used primarily for arrivals over Boston Harbor during 2007. Consistent with
historical patterns, despite the introduction of Runway 14-23, the FAA continued to rely on
Logan Airport's north-south traffic flow in 2007. However, within the north-west flow, the FAA
increased reliance on Runway 33L for departures with an associated reduction in Runway 27
departures. The changes in runway utilization in 2007 have led to changes in the noise
environment. Since 2006, the noise contours over East Boston increased in extent and, over the
same period, decreased over South Boston, Revere, and Winthrop. 
The population within the 75-80 decibel (dB) DNL contours decreased in 2007 compared to
2006. In 2006, the population in the 75-80 dB DNL contour was 104 but in 2007 zero population
was located in this coutour. In 2006, the population in the 70-75 dB DNL contour was 597
compared to 41 6 in 2007. The overall number of people exposed to Day-Night Sound Level
(DNL) values greater than 65 decibels (dB) increased 36 percent compared to 2006. An estimated
7,591 people were exposed to DNL levels greater than 65 dB in 2007, compared to 5,583 in
2006. This is still well below the pre-September 1 1,2001, level of 17,745. The residences
exposed to DNL levels greater than 65 dB in 2007 are located within the 65 dB sound insulation
contour, and thus are within areas that have been sound insulated by Massport. The comments
from the Boston Transportation Department, the City of Cambridge as well as from individuals
such as Mr. Peter Koff and Ms. Nancy Timmerman have raised a number of concerns and
suggestions related to noise that Massport should consider incorporating into the 2008 EDR. 
In 2007, Massport provided sound insulation to 548 homes, the majority of which were in
Chelsea. Since the inception of Massport's Sound Insulation program, 10,461 homes in East
Boston, South Boston, Winthop and Chelsea have received sound insulation. 
The information in this chapter is very informative and I encourage Massport to continue with its
updates in the 2008 EDR. I also strongly advise Massport to consider and address the comments
received that have raised noise related concerns. 
Air Ouality 
The Air Quality/Emissions Reduction chapter provides an overview of airport-related air quality
issues in 2007 and efforts to reduce emissions. The emissions inventory results were driven
largely by three factors: changes in the aircraft fleet mix at the Airport (the airlines' substitution
of select narrow-body aircraft with wide-body and commuter aircraft); the reported change in the
aircraft average taxildelay times at Logan Airport; and continual improvements to the FAA
Emissions and Dispersion Modeling System (EDMS), v5.0.2, particularly in regard to the
advanced method for calculating particulate matter (PM) emissions from aircraft engines.
Because of the changes to the EDMS model, total modeled emissions of PM10PM2.5 associated

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with Logan Airport in 2007 appeared to have increased by approximately 64 percent to 128
kilograms per day (kglday) compared to 2006 levels. By comparison, using the EDMS version
available in 2006 (v5.0.1) total emissions of PMlOlPM2.5 would have increased by
approximately 5 percent to 82 kglday due to a combination of changes in aircraft fleet mix and
aircraft taxildelay time. This data shows that the estimated increase in PMlOPM2.5 was due
mostly to the updated EDMS model and not the result of significant changes in Airport
operations. Nonetheless, the increases in modeled emissions are notable and I encourage 
Massport to revisit all feasible efforts to mitigate PMlOPM2.5 emmissions. 
The 2007 EDR reports that the total emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) were 1,673
kglday, or 3 percent lower than 2006 levels. Total emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) were
9,233 kglday, or 13 percent higher than 2006 levels. Total emissions of oxides of nitrogen
(NOX) were 4,457 kglday, or 7 percent higher than 2006 levels. In 2007, total 
NOx emissions at Logan Airport were approximately 541 tons per year lower than the 1999 Air
Quality Initiative (AQI) benchmark which represents a 27 percent decrease in NOx emissions at
Logan Airport since 1999. There was also a continuing trend of decreasing nitrogen dioxide 
(N02) concentrations at both the Massport and Massachusetts Department of Environmental
Protection (MA DEP) monitoring sites located in the general vicinity of Logan Airport. In
addition, the annual NO2 concentrations at all monitoring locations in 2007 were within the 
NO2 Air Quality Standards. 
In the 2007 EDR Massport for the first time has voluntarily submitted its first emission inventory
of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions directly and indirectly associated with Logan Airport.
"Direct emissions" are those that occur in areas located within the Airport's geographic
boundaries and "indirect emissions" are those that occur off the Airport site. "Direct" GHG
emissions associated with Logan Airport in 2007 were 0.37 million metric tons (MMT), and the
sum of "direct" and "indirect" emissions was 0.69 MMT (less than 0.1 percent of state-wide
totals). Massport has control of only 18 percent of these combined totals and will implement
plans by 2009 to reduce further GHGs associated with its operations at Logan Airport helping
minimize the Airport's carbon footprint. 
The 2008 EDR should continue updates on the information presented in the 2007 EDR and
address comments received related to air quality. In particular the Mr. Peter Koff has raised
several concerns related to air quality monitoring and the Massachusetts Department of Public
Health's (DPH) Logan Airport Health Study. The 2008 EDR should clarify this issue and update
the status of any air quality monitoring related to this concern. 
Water Ouality/Environrnental Compliance 
This chapter describes Massport's ongoing environmental management activities including
NPDES compliance, storrnwater, fuel spills, activities under the Massachusetts Contingency
Plan, and tank management.

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I note on July 3 1,2007, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and MA DEP issued a new
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program permit for Logan Airport's
stormwater outfalls. The new NPDES permit regulates stormwater discharges from the North,
West, Northwest, Porter Street, and Maverick Street Outfalls, and all of the airfield outfalls. The
previous NPDES permit regulated stormwater discharges only from the North, West, Porter
Street, and Maverick Street Outfalls. The new NPDES permit also has additional sampling
requirements, including the requirement to sample for deicing compounds. In 2007, three of 404 
outfall samples exceeded the regulatory limits contained in the NPDES permit. The
Maverick Street Outfall had two samples exceed the 100 milligrams per liter (mg/L) daily
maximum limit for Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and the West Outfall had one sample exceed
this limit. This is an improvement compared to 2004 and 2006 when four samples exceeded the
regulatory limits, and 2005 when eight samples exceeded the regulatory limits. 
In 2007, Massport completed an update to the Airport's Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
(SWPPP). The SWPPP addresses stormwater pollutants in general, and also addresses deicing
and anti-icing chemical, potential bacteria, fuel and oil, and other sources of stormwater
pollutants. Best management practices (BMPs) are included in the SWPPP. Also in accordance
with the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP), Massport continued to assess, remediate, and
bring to regulatory closure areas of subsurface contamination. In 2007, Massport worked towards
achieving regulatory closure of six remaining MCP sites. Massport should continue to report in
the 2008 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 
Massachusetts Port Authority Sustainability 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 including Massport-wide sustainability and
details how sustainability is incorporated into many aspects of Massport's activities: Planning
and Design; Construction; Operations, Maintenance and Management; and Monitoring of
Environmental Performance which are detailed in this chapter. The replacement GA Facility in
the North Cargo Area, which was constructed in early 2007 and opened in June 2007, is an
example of planning and design sustainability initiatives being undertaken at Logan Airport. The
new GA Facility incorporates sustainable design, construction, and operational elements. On the
operations and maintenance in 2007, Massport created preferred parking areas in garages and

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parking areas throughout Logan Aiport to promote use of lower emitting vehicles. In cooperation
with the City of Boston, in the spring of 2007, Massport began a limited head-of-line privilege
program for taxis using AFVs, helping to increase the use of alternatively-powered taxis.
Additionally, in 2007, Massport created a Cell Phone Waiting Lot, a new parking area where
drivers picking up arriving passengers can park for a maximum of 30 minutes. The information
in this chapter is very informative and I encourage Massport to continue with its updates in the
2008 EDR. 
Conclusion 
As I stated at the beginning of this Certificate, the 2008 EDR must provide responses to the
issues raised in comments received. The 2008 EDR must include a copy of this Certificate and a
copy of each comment letter received on the 2007 EDR. In particular, Massport should provide a
thorough examination of issues raised regarding individual noise monitoring locations, noise
measurement and modeling, noise abatement, and air quality issues. Massport should consult
directly with individual commentors where appropriate. - . \ 
October 2 1 3nnn 
Date Ian A. Bowles 
Comments Received: 
10/20/2008 Boston Transportation Department 
10/2012008 Peter L. Koff, Engel & Schultz, LLP 
1012412008 Stephen H. Kaiser, PhD 
1012712008 City of Cambridge, Robert Healy, City manager 
10/28/2008 Nancy Timmerman