AUS Environmental Assessment
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As part of a continued commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) has launched an Environmental Assessment. The Environmental Assessment supports the Airport Expansion and Development Program (AEDP), which guides construction and development at the airport over the next five to seven years.
What is an Environmental Assessment?
The Environmental Assessment is a review process guided by National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that will assess potential impacts to the environment associated with airport construction projects. Through the Assessment, AUS will determine whether or not AEDP projects would significantly impact the environment. The Assessment also provides opportunities for the Austin and surrounding communities to provide their feedback and learn more about future construction at AUS. Once completed, the Environmental Assessment will be submitted to the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) for review and approval.
What kind of construction projects will the Environmental Assessment review?
The AEDP will meet the needs of airlines and passengers at AUS through improving the Barbara Jordan Terminal and enabling future airport expansion with utility and airfield infrastructure. Initial construction projects include:
- Improving the Barbara Jordan Terminal
- Building a midfield concourse and connecting underground tunnel
- Creating and relocating taxiways
- A new Central Utility Plant
- A new electrical substation
- Removing existing airfield structures
Click the image above to see the full list of projects under review
To learn more about the Airport Expansion and Development Program, visit AustinTexas.gov/AEDP.
Draft Environmental Assessment
The Draft Environmental Assessment is now available for review and public comments will be accepted until the comment period closes on April 7, 2022.
- View the Draft Environmental Assessment, completed on February 21, 2022:
- Draft Environmental Assessment Cover Page & Table of Contents
- Chapter 1 - Purpose & Need
- Chapter 2 - Alternatives
- Chapter 3 - Affected Environment & Environmental Consequences
- Chapter 4 - Agency & Public Involvement
- Chapter 5 - References
- Chapter 6 - List of Preparers
- Appendix A - Runway Exit Interactive Model (REDIM) Analysis
- Appendix B - Project Components Compared to Master Plan
- Appendix C - Regulatory Context
- Appendix D - Air Quality & Noise Technical Report
- Appendix E - Texas Parks & Wildlife Correspondence
- Appendix F - List of Rare, Threatened & Endangered Species in General Study Area
- Appendix G - Asbestos Surveys & Abatement Activities
- Appendix H - Surface Traffic Counts & Models
- Appendix I - Consultation & Public Outreach
Print copies of the Draft EA are available at the following locations:
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Planning & Development Building
2716 Spirit of Texas Drive. Austin, TX 78719 - Austin City Hall
301 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701 - Ruiz Branch Library
1600 Grove Blvd, Austin, TX 78741
How to Submit Comments
Comments on the Environmental Assessment can be submitted online through this website using the comment box below, submitted through email to AirportEngagement@AustinTexas.gov, submitted during the public meetings, or through mail.
Comments can be mailed to:
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
ATTN: Environmental Affairs Division
2716 Spirit of Texas Drive Austin, Texas 78719
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold from public review your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Comments will be accepted until April 7, 2022. Comments and their responses will be included in the final draft EA that will be presented to the Federal Aviation Administration and posted to this project website.
Virtual Public Meeting & In-Person Open House
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport hosted two public events for community members to learn more about the Environmental Assessment.
On Saturday, March 26, AUS hosted an in-person open house. You can review all the open house display boards on the right-hand side of this webpage.
On Wednesday, March 23, AUS hosted a virtual public meeting. You can watch a recording of the meeting below:
Previously Conducted Environmental Assessment Public Scoping Phase
On Thursday, September 9th, 2021, AUS hosted a virtual public scoping meeting for the community to learn more about the Environmental Assessment, ask questions to the project team and provide comments that help inform the scope of the Environmental Assessment.
View the virtual public scoping meeting presentation slides here.
View a recording of the virtual public scoping meeting here.
The open comment period closed on Monday, October 11, 2021.
About AUS's Environmental Stewardship
AUS takes pride in reflecting the values that our community and Austin represent—from local food and music to robust sustainability efforts. AUS incorporates sustainable principles and environmental stewardship into planning, development and operations at the airport and is working towards a sustainability goal of carbon neutrality.
AUS has partnered with Austin Energy to bring electric vehicle charging stations to the airport campus and uses Austin Energy GreenChoice to provide 100% renewable energy to the Barbara Jordan Terminal. AUS also maintains a robust waste-diversion program, purchases renewable energy and carbon off-sets from sustainable sources. AUS has partnered with Austin Energy to provide 160 local homes with renewable energy through the solar panel installation on top of the Blue Garage, which also provides .3 megawatts of renewable energy benefits toward future airport construction projects and the airport’s administration building.
