Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) is one of three major airports in the Bay Area. Although it is smaller than nearby San Francisco International Airport to the north, SJC boasts one of the best on-time departure records and is conveniently located in the heart of the Silicon Valley.

For two decades, DJP&A has been heavily involved in the planning of development at SJC. DJP&A’s work with SJC began in the early 1990s with John Hesler preparing an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for a project to lengthen the airport’s runway to accommodate non-stop service to Tokyo. Since that time, DJP&A have worked on more than two dozen projects at SJC, including the landmark 1997 SJC Master Plan EIR. The 1997 EIR has withstood the test of time by providing CEQA clearance for projects at SJC for 23 years!

More recently, DJP&A wrote the 2020 Amendment to the SJC Master Plan EIR, which was unanimously certified by the San José City Council on April 28, 2020. The Amendment provides a blueprint for the continued growth of SJC through the year 2037, including new passenger terminals, parking garages, air cargo facilities, a hotel, and improvements to the airfield’s taxiways. SJC’s environmental stewardship includes a comprehensive noise control program, acoustical treatment of over 2,000 residences and schools, LEED Silver certification for new buildings, onsite photovoltaic arrays, use of recycled water, and an electric-powered shuttle bus system. The project also includes voluntary fee payments to the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency to preserve the bay checkerspot butterfly and burrowing owl populations. In addition, SJC has committed to achieving “carbon neutral” status.

In addition to preparing documents in compliance with CEQA and NEPA, DJP&A is also well-versed in preparing documents per Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. From 1999 to present day, DJP&A has prepared environmental documentation for a new passenger terminal, parking facilities, taxiway improvements, revised noise contours, a new corporate fixed base operator (FBO), and changes to air cargo and general aviation facilities and airport curfew hours. DJP&A’s airport work has been validated by the courts on multiple rounds of litigation.

DJP&A is well-versed with local, state, CEQA, NEPA, and FAA regulations pertaining to environmental compliance on airport projects. In addition to our extensive work with SJC, DJP&A has also worked on smaller airports in the surrounding region, including: South County Airport, Tracy Airport, Palo Alto Airport, Reid-Hillview Airport, and Reno Airport. 

Images courtesy of: Gunther Hagleitner (Flickr), Andreas Braendhaugen (Flickr), Madrazz (Flickr), and Bill Abbott (Flickr)