Environmental Management

Monitoring and minimizing the environmental impact of airport operations is important to Hamilton International Airport. Our Strategic Plan identifies “Fostering environmentally sound airport operations” as a key objective for the organization.

The aviation industry is highly regulated by both Transport Canada and the provincial Ministry of the Environment.  Transport Canada stipulates all operational aspects relating to safety, including substances used for de-icing aircraft and in fire fighting. The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) ensures airports operate with approved stormwater management procedures in place.

News:

Initial Subsurface Investigation Complete

December 2011 - Hamilton International Airport, in consultation with the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and City of Hamilton, has completed the initial subsurface investigation to confirm the presence and extent of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) contamination on airport property and identify remediation options.  Hamilton International is committed to full, open disclosure of all matters pertaining to this issue.  We are posting below our consultant’s findings and expert opinion on remedial options.  For additional information please contact Frank Scremin at 905.667.8776 or fscremin@flyhi.ca

Initial Subsurface Investigation

Water and Soil Study

July 2011 – Hamilton International Airport is working with the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and City of Hamilton to confirm the presence and extent of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) contamination on airport property and identify remediation options.

At one time, PFOS was a common component of aviation firefighting foam. Due to environmental concerns, there is a federal plan to eliminate products containing PFOS by 2013.

The firefighting foam purchased by Hamilton International Airport since 1999 does not contain PFOS and is compliant with the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.

The MOE and Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority are conducting water testing at the conservation area and in streams leading to it, while the City of Hamilton conducted well water and irrigation pond testing in the vicinity of the airport.

Clean Up Day at Hamilton International

April 2011 – The staff at Hamilton International Airport joined with airport tenants for the 5^th annual Clean Up Day on April 29. Together, we combed the roadways and ditches surrounding the airport and collected 40 bags of litter. Our thanks goes out to all our airport tenants who took part.

Policies & Legislation:

Environmental Mission Statement

Hamilton International Airport is committed to protecting the environment and to safeguarding the health of its employees, tenants, customers and the general public.

The Airport’s environmental policy is to:

• Use appropriate environmental screening procedures with the planning, design, construction and operation of airport facilities
• Ensure that any environmental hazards associated with airport operations are identified, assessed and managed appropriately
• Provide exceptional airport services while meeting or exceeding all applicable laws, regulations and industry codes of practice
• Prepare for emergencies and coordinate contingency plans with appropriate authorities in adjacent communities
• Promote environmental awareness and responsibility among the personnel and provide training where necessary
• Use the best available control technology that is economically achievable to improve environmental performance
• Keep employees, tenants, customers, government and the public informed on the environmental aspects of airport operations and development

Hamilton International Airport operates under the following federal legislation:

• Canadian Environmental Protection Act
• Fisheries Act
• Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Guidelines
• Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act
• Canadian Environmental Assessment Act

Hamilton International Airport operates under the following provincial legislation:

• Environmental Protection Act
• Ontario Water Resources Act
• Environmental Assessment Act

City of Hamilton Sewer Use By-laws

Hamilton International Airport has sewer use surcharge and overstrength agreements in place with the City of Hamilton.   These agreements permit storm water runoff from aircraft aprons (which can contain de-icing fluid, cleaning agents, oil and grease) to be discharged to the sanitary sewer system.

Water Management:

• A number of chemicals are used as part of the airport’s day-to-day operations, e.g. fuel, glycol (de-icing fluid), cleaning agents and more.
• Hamilton International Airport is one of only a few Canadian airports with a formal system for the collection and storage of surface water run-off from aircraft aprons (which can contain de-icing fluid, cleaning agents, oil and grease) prior to being released into the sanitary sewer system for treatment. Used glycol is vacuumed up and sent away for recycling.
• The airport’s discharge of storm water to the natural environment is regulated under a provincial Certificate of Approval. The Certificate lays out requirements for monitoring and testing of surface water, storm water management, and procedures for spills response. We provide regular monitoring data and have an on-site visit and inspection at least annually from the MOE.
• Since 1998, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority has partnered with Hamilton International Airport to monitor water quality in the headwater tributaries of the Welland River that drain from airport property.

About Glycol

• The Canadian Environmental Protection Act has guidelines specifically for airport use of glycol (de-icing fluid). Hamilton International Airport complies with these guidelines.
• Glycol is required by Transport Canada for de-icing aircraft in winter conditions.
• The de-icing season normally runs from early October to the end of April. In a typical season, there are 120 days when de-icing is required.
• De-icing takes place in three designated aprons at Hamilton International, where catch basins prevent the surface fluid from entering the drainage system during a de-icing operation.
• The application of glycol is carried out by individual operators at Hamilton International Airport, e.g. cargo and ground handling companies. Each operator must provide Hamilton International Airport with an annual Glycol Mitigation plan to ensure appropriate procedures are in place to minimize any environmental risk associated with the use of glycol.

Use of Firefighting Foam:

• Transport Canada regulations require airport operators to maintain an inventory of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) on site in the event of an aircraft emergency.
• At one time, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was a common component of aviation firefighting foam prior to a voluntary phase-out in production of PFOS in 2002. Due to environmental concerns, there is a federal plan to eliminate products containing PFOS by 2013.
• The firefighting foam purchased by Hamilton International since 1999 does not contain PFOS and is compliant with the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.
• There has never been a fire at Hamilton International and “live” fire training using AFFF has not taken place at the airport since 1994 (when it was a municipally-operated and federally owned airport).

Noise:

As the busiest cargo and courier airport in Canada, Hamilton International Airport runs 24 hours a day.  Our goal is to ensure that noise is kept to the lowest practical level in order to minimize the impact on nearby residents.

Our noise management approach includes:

• Airscene: A sophisticated noise monitoring system has been implemented at Hamilton International. Airscene provides detailed information that permits the tracking of aircraft operator adherence to noise abatement procedures, and identifies potential operational changes we can make to minimize aircraft noise.
• Noise Management Advisory Committee: This group comprises neighbours, citizens, airport staff and two City of Hamilton councillors. It meets two times annually to review noise data and discuss improvements.
• Noise Reporting Line: This is a 24-hour phone line (905-679-3690) for community complaints about noise. Every call is returned by airport staff and all calls are tracked and reported. Alternatively, email us at noise@flyhi.ca.
• Airline Initiatives: In keeping with federal regulations, airlines are phasing out older, noisier aircraft or retrofitting them with “hush kits” or new, quieter engines. All cargo aircraft based at Hamilton International Airport are compliant with federal regulations.  In addition, aircraft operators have been upgrading their fleet to new generation aircraft which operate more efficiently and produce less noise.  The percentage of new generation aircraft is expected to increase dramatically over the next few years.

Opportunities with AEGD:

Hamilton International Airport is a strong supporter of the city’s planned Airport Employment Growth District (AEGD), which is to be developed on lands near the Airport. We believe the city needs to have a variety of land available for development, including brownfields, inner-city and suburban sites.

The City of Hamilton has defined the planned AEGD as an eco-business park, developed with environmental considerations and sustainability at the foremost. Hamilton International Airport pledges to help champion this concept and be an active participant in helping to make it a reality.

For more information on AEGD, please visit www.aegd.ca.