Port Columbus International Airport, Ohio

Lawhon & Associates, Inc. has conducted NEPA ecological and wetlands assessments in support of several construction and improvement projects at the Port Columbus International Airport.

Lawhon & Associates’ scientists delineated all wetlands found on a 33 acre tract which was the intended location for the creation of a regional detention basin for the Airport, and also updated the status of wetlands located on a 410 acre parcel associated with the north runway.  

Methodology for the assessments was consistent with the requirements of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Ohio EPA and relied upon the following guidance documents: The Field Guide for Wetland Delineation: 1987 Corps of Engineers Manual, Ohio Rapid Assessment Method (ORAM) as it relates to wetlands, and Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) and/or Headwater Habitat Evaluation Index (HHEI) as it relates to streams.  Wetlands and other waters of the U.S. were flagged for future Corps verification and locations mapped using a Trimble GPS data system.

Lawhon’s findings were submitted to the Port Columbus Regional Airport Authority for submission to the Army Corps of Engineers, and subsequent issuance of an updated Jurisdictional Determination (JD) letter.