LEADERSHIP IN ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN (LEED) CONSTRUCTION

Airport staff has implemented substantial measures to integrate sustainable practices, including but not limited to energy and water conservation, recycling initiatives, adherence to green building principles, and the incorporation of water reuse into both operations and infrastructure enhancements. 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Facility - LEED SILVER

Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport completed the 7,800 square foot building for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility in 2015. The state-of-the-art building is well-equipped to meet current volume and future demands, provide travelers with an enhanced level of customer service, and continue to strengthen Executive Airport’s position as an international gateway for our region.

The project is a testament to Fort Lauderdale's citywide dedication to sustainability, incorporating Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) principles. This approach is geared towards reducing operating costs, lowering energy consumption, and mitigating impacts on the surrounding environment. The building has been awarded LEED Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, attesting to its numerous sustainability features. These include effective use of natural daylighting, highly efficient lighting fixtures and controls, ultra-high efficiency mechanical equipment, rainwater recycling systems, solar-responsive lighting, native landscaping, and a high-performance thermal envelope designed to minimize energy usage.

Aviation Equipment & Service Facility - LEED GOLD

In 2011, FXE successfully concluded the construction of the Aviation Equipment & Service (AES) Facility, incorporating LEED principles endorsed by the U.S. Green Building Council. Notably, the AES building attained the prestigious Gold LEED Certification Level, marking a significant milestone. Situated on the North side of the Airport, this 7,400-square-foot structure made history as the inaugural LEED Certified building owned by the City, solidifying the Airport's reputation as an industry leader.

The attainment of LEED Gold certification was attributed to various features, including drought-resistant landscaping, rainwater collection, recycling initiatives, energy-efficient lighting, and the utilization of sustainable building materials. The building secured all available credits for water efficiency, 13 out of 15 credits for Indoor Environmental Quality, and all available credits for Innovation.

WILDLIFE PROTECTIONS

The Airport harbors two Florida-native species, both designated as Threatened by the State: Gopher Tortoises and Burrowing Owls. Gopher tortoises primarily inhabit a secluded area on the North side of the airport, characterized by rare native plants, serving as a refuge and nesting ground for these burrowing reptiles.

The other indigenous species, the Burrowing Owl, ranks among the smallest owls in Florida. Owl nests are scattered across the airfield, marked by PVC pipes shaped like a "T" for visibility to the Airport's maintenance crew. These markers help prevent disturbances and also provide perching spots for the owls during the breeding season. In an effort to minimize interference with the owls, FXE coordinates its construction projects to align with breeding and nesting seasons.

RECYCLED ASPHALT

Executive Airport recycles as much material as possible when projects are undertaken. The millings or ground up asphalt surplus during runway and taxiway projects are reused to construct haul roads or maintenance roads around the airfield to provide a stabilized surface and reduce erosion caused by service vehicle activity.

SUSTAINABILITY MASTER PLAN (SMP)

Executive Airport completed its Sustainability Master Plan (SMP) in 2017, which provides a framework for assisting FXE with achieving the City’s and the airport’s sustainability goals. Through a set of airport-specific sustainable initiatives identified in the SMP, FXE can analyze, control, and reduce the environmental impact of its activities, projects, and services in conjunction with regulatory requirements, fiscal obligations, operational objectives, and stakeholder expectations.

The SMP also lays the groundwork for the development of an Environmental and Sustainability Management System that will prepare the Airport for the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 14001) certification supporting FXE with continually improving its environmental performance, lowering costs, and protecting employee and public safety.