About SAAS
Environmental Stewardship
Purpose
The San Antonio Airport System Environmental Stewardship Division is responsible for ensuring compliance with environmental laws, including noise management and sustainability planning, through education, training, inspection, analysis, design, implementation, and enforcement.
Upcoming Events
Notice of Public Scoping Open House
The San Antonio Airport System held a public scoping open house on February 20th, 2024 for the public to provide input on a variety of improvements at San Antonio International Airport. The improvements will provide facilities that will accommodate forecast increases in enplanements and airport operations at an adequate level of service. The public scoping open house described the general characteristics of the proposed improvements and identified the environmental resource categories to be analyzed in the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA). Together with a scoping meeting for regulatory agencies, these meetings constitute the scoping process for the Draft EA.
Email comments on the scope for the Draft EA to
Jon Erion at [email protected]
Written comments may also be submitted via U.S. mail to
Sandra Lauterbach
RS&H
13750 San Pedro Avenue, Suite 300
San Antonio, TX 78232
Please note that written and emailed comments must be received by 5:00 PM CST on Monday, March 25, 2024.
Noise Assessment
Environmental Assessment (EA) of Proposed Performance Based (PBN) Routes was issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
The Federal Aviation Administration provided a FONSI on the EA that evaluated the proposed updates to air traffic control procedures that bring aircraft into and out of the San Antonio International Airport. The EA discussed the proposed action, the no-action alternatives, and the environmental impacts of the proposed actions. The EA was conducted for analysis of noise impacts and impacts to other factors such as biological resources, environmental justice, and air quality.
2021-2026 NEM Update
The City of San Antonio conducted a Noise Exposure Map (NEM) Update for the San Antonio International Airport, which resulted in updated NEMs that reflect both the existing (2021) and the future five-year (2026) noise exposure conditions near the Airport. This study, a “Part 150 NEM Update,” followed the process outlined in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 150, Airport Noise Compatibility Planning.
From the Part 150 process, two noise exposure maps were developed: one depicting homes currently within the 65 DNL (Day-Night Average Sound Level) contour, and one depicting homes that will be within the 65 DNL contour five years in the future.
Key Aspects
Noise Management
Thank you for your interest in the Noise Management Program for San Antonio Airport System. In addition to providing you a positive customer experience, we are pledged to provide timely and efficient noise information as well as answer your aviation related noise questions.
SUBMIT A NOISE INQUIRY
Subject Matter Preview
- Noise and Operations Monitoring, Flight Tracking, Noise Inquiries
- Asbestos and Lead Abatement
- Soil Management and Recycling Plan
- Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWP3) and SPCC
- Sustainability Plan
- Alternative Fueling Electric Vehicle Charging – Coming Soon
- Solar Projects – Coming Soon
Key Aspects of the Noise Program
- 2014 NEM Report(opens in new window)
- 2021 NEM Existing Conditions Map
- 2026 NEM Future Conditions Map
- Noise Programs – Describes the nature of the various components of the Noise Management Program.
- Noise Abatement– History and background of the Noise Management Program.
- Aircraft Noise Regulations
Handling of Complaints
Many people often ask whether or not filing noise complaints will change how the airport operates. Filing a complaint will not bring about an individual’s desired change, rather it provides a means for SAT to report and disseminate information to the public, local representatives, and airport noise community groups.
On a daily basis, operational considerations, such as wind and weather patterns, the number of operations, time of day, construction, and other conditions, all play a part in how the airport operates at any given time. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) makes decisions based solely on their standard air traffic control procedures. However every complaint is logged, analyzed and reported monthly.
The Reference Link Sites below that can provide you with additional data relative to aviation noise.
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – The FAA has a huge online research database including links to Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) and Advisory Circulars (ACs).
- U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) – The DOT has links to all its transportation departments and offers insight to the national transportation system and its future.
- Boeing’s Airport Noise Page – Boeing has summarized all the noise information for various airports in the U.S. and the rest of the world.
- Information on Aviation Environmental Design Tool Model (AEDT) – General overview of AEDT by the FAA
- Noise Quest – Provides information on:
Soil Management
The San Antonio Airport System has developed a Soil Management Plan that establishes practices for managing soil generated or handled by airport projects. This plan assures that excavated or imported soil is clean and managed in compliance with federal, state, and local rules and regulations.
Soil Management Plan (PDF)
SMP Authorization Form (PDF)
Spill Prevention Control & Countermeasures
The City of San Antonio-Aviation Department is committed to preventing discharges of contaminates to navigable waters and the environment, and to maintain the highest standards for spill prevention control and countermeasures through the implantation and regular review and amendment to the Plan.
Spill Response
The Fuel Spill Response Plan is designed to be a guidance document for individuals or teams responding to the release of fuel at the San Antonio International Airport (SAT) or Stinson Municipal Airport (SSF). Questions concerning the Fuel Spill Response Plan can be directed to the Environmental Stewardship Division at 210.207.3518 or 210.207.3862.
Sustainability Plan
Sustainability planning is one of the means by which we can insure a “Greener Airport” and a more sustainable community. Implementation of such a plan will help in managing our communities’ direction and ensuring that we can provide a livable community with an environment conducive to present and future residents and citizens.
San Antonio Airport System Sustainable Airport Manual
Carbon Policy Memo
Environmental, Social, Governance Report
Storm Water
Process Waste Water
The San Antonio Airport System does not allow for the discharge of unpermitted process water discharges to our storm drains. Process waste water can included water resulting from car or equipment washing activities, terminal cleaning and custodial activities and firefighter training activities.
Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
The San Antonio Airport System currently has an industrial storm water permit from TCEQ. This requires that the airport develop and implement a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3). This plan details required storm water discharge monitoring parameters as well as inspection requirements. The San Antonio Airport System allows tenants to utilize our Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan or create their own plan. Tenants are required to notify San Antonio Airport System of their intentions because coverage under our plan is not guaranteed.
Helpful Links
Environmental Stewardship Manager
Steven K. Southers, C.M., J.D., B.S. Biology
210.207.3402
Noise Abatement & Environmental Protection Officer
Joshua Heiss, B.S., C.M., CESM
210.207.3471
[email protected]
Environmental Services Coordinator
Chris Yzaguirre, M.S.
210.207.3862
[email protected]
Sustainability Special Projects Manager
Breana Trevino, PSM, ENV SP, LEED Green Associate
210.207.3824
[email protected]