Memphis International Airport (MEM) is committed to protecting and preserving the environment – it’s a responsibility that all airport employees and tenants share. To that end, MEM has developed and implemented a comprehensive environmental program that helps reduce or mitigate the environmental impacts from our operations.
Regulatory Compliance
MEM conducts operations in compliance with applicable Federal, State, and Local laws, regulations, and standards concerning environmental protection by:
- Providing a mechanism for self-monitoring to ensure compliance and continual improvement
- Promoting effective recycling and waste management procedures
- Acting promptly and responsibly to correct incidents or conditions that may endanger community health, safety, or the environment
- Training staff and working with tenants so everyone understands their responsibilities towards protecting the environment
- Doing business with environmentally responsible vendors
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) established a broad national policy to protect and enhance the quality of the human environment by requiring Federal agencies to consider the potential environmental consequences of their proposed actions, such as noise, socioeconomic, land uses, air and water quality. As with other Federal agencies, the FAA has developed its own policies and procedures for complying with NEPA regulations as outlined in FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures. In addition, this process provides an opportunity for you to be involved in the Federal agency decision making process.
Members of the public may issue comments on the document within 30 days of the published notice. Comments or request for hearing should be addressed to the following FAA representative: MSCAA representative: Mr. James Hay, Director of Development, 2491 Winchester Road, Suite 113, Memphis, TN 38116; (901) 922-8224.
Current Public Notices & NEPA Documents
Draft EA for the MEM Westside Airport Improvements Project
Available for public review through through December 16, 2024.
A copy of the EA is available for review at the Airport Authority’s front desk.
Noise Control – The Part 150 Update
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the primary agency responsible for providing direction and guidance nationwide in the assessment of noise impacts associated with civilian airports. In 1981, the FAA established the PART 150 Noise Compatibility Planning Process as a part of the Federal Aviation Regulations.
Listed as Part 150 under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, it specifies the procedures governing the development and implementation of Noise Exposure Maps (NEM) and Noise Compatibility Programs (NCP).
The NEM is a graphic depiction of the noise exposure around an airport in existing and future (five-year) operational conditions. Under the Part 150 process, FAA determines whether the NEMs comply. If the NEMs comply, a notice of compliance is published in the Federal Register.
The MSCAA recently updated the NEMs in 2014 for Memphis International Airport. The FAA approved the NEMs September 1, 2015.
The NEMs and supporting documentation are available for public inspection during normal business hours (8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday) at the Memphis International Airport Administrative Office at 2491 Winchester Road, Suite 113, Memphis, TN 38116.
Entire document copies for public review are available online.
Noise Hotline
For questions or comments, please contact the airport on our Noise Hotline: (901) 922-8044. There is also a Noise Control FAQ available.
Sustainability
MEM is committed to promoting sustainability. Our business model is based upon the following principles:
- To meet or exceed all standards for sustainability that the law requires.
- To integrate sustainability considerations into all our business decisions.
- To ensure that all staff are aware of, and committed to, implementing and improving sustainability initiatives.
- To minimize the impact on sustainability of all office and transportation activities.
We aim to follow and to promote good sustainability practice, to reduce the environmental impacts of all our activities and to help our partners to do the same. Our commitment to sustainability is and will continue to be one of the primary focuses for our airport.