ATTN: Regional Envirorunental Specialists and Regional Planners

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide preliminary guidance on airport sustainability planning, and to outline the plan for implementing a pilot program to help further defme sustainability planning principles.] Airport sustainabi li ty is a broad term that encompasses a wide variety of practices applicable to planning, design, building and operating airport faci li ties. There are three core principles: • Protecting the environment; • Maintaining high and stable levels of economic growth; and • Social progress that recognizes a ll stakeholders ' needs. There are many benefits of airport sustainabi lity planning, including reduced energy consumption, reduced noise impacts, reduced hazardous and solid waste generation, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved water quaJ ity. improved community relations, and cost savings. Airport master plans have traditionally looked at accommodating an airport's forecasted demand and the associated environmental impacts. However, looking at sustainability issues in the planning process wi ll make it a core objective rather than a secondary consideration. B