Kaplan Kirsch counsels and litigates on behalf of airports regarding environmental, noise, and land use issues associated with major facility expansions, runway extensions, airspace changes, and collateral development projects. We have represented some of the largest airports in comprehensive master planning for long-term capital improvements and provided counsel for commercial airports, primary hub airports, and general aviation airports in the planning, approval, and implementation of development and infrastructure projects. Increasingly, the Firm is called on to develop National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) strategies for development proposals, particularly in light of the evolving regulations concerning non-aeronautical development established most recently in Section 743 of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024. Firm attorneys are also involved with environmental streamlining proposals and discussions.
Kaplan Kirsch also has significant experience assisting clients with air quality issues at airports. We have provided strategic air quality advice regarding airfield improvements, airport landslide projects, airport access roads, airspace, and collateral development. These representations have included providing counsel on general conformity regulations, transportation conformity regulations for landside development, state and federal permitting requirements, and emerging air toxics and particulate matter issues. Our experience also includes litigating airport-related conformity issues in federal court.