Noise Mediation Team Wraps Up 10 Years of Accomplishments

Eight Community Volunteers Honored For Service

(Seattle)--Eight members of a team designed to mediate noise issues around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport celebrated ten years of service, and some major accomplishments, today.

The Sea-Tac Noise Advisory Committee helped monitor a Mediated Noise Agreement signed on Mar. 31, 1990. This was well before other airports in the nation began sitting down with neighbors to resolve community noise issues.

The Committee's job was to oversee implementation of the agreement by the Port of Seattle, FAA, airlines, cargo companies, and other organizations. And while industry representatives have changed over the years, 5 citizen representatives and 3 alternates have been attending meetings and making a difference for the entire decade.

"This was a group that took action, and got things done," said Gina Marie Lindsey, managing director of aviation for the Port of Seattle. "They stayed on track and have a lot to show for their effort."

Among the group's accomplishments:

Nighttime Noise Limitations. Sea-Tac implemented nighttime noise limitations years before federal rules mandated such action.
Noise Budget. This program gave each of the major air carries a set amount of noise energy they could generate each year. No airline ever exceeded their budget, and this requirement is given much of the credit for prompting airlines to move to quieter aircraft.
Ground Noise. Restrictions were placed on where aircraft could "run up" engines for testing on the ground. There was also a 2-minute limit placed on nighttime run ups.
Home Insulation. Mediation increased the rate of home insulation near the airport, and established controls to make the process fair and efficient. A hardship procedure was developed to make sure that the homes most affected by aircraft noise received priority handling.
Aircraft Procedure Monitoring. The Mediated Agreement formalized the procedures pilots would use when departing Sea-Tac to help aircraft generate less noise.

Arriving at a mediated agreement took about 18 months of up-front work with the Port, FAA, airlines, cargo companies, and affected citizen groups. Once the agreement was signed, the five regular and 3 alternate citizen members were drawn from those groups that participated in negotiating the agreement.

The citizens who served on the committee are:

Irene Jones, SeaTac
Robert Rudolph, Medina
John Musgrave, Seattle (West Seattle)
John Whitlock, Vashon Island
Jim Lynch, Seattle (Bainbridge)
Lorelei Herres, Mercer Island
Bill Whisler, Normandy Park
John Barber, Seattle (Madrona)

The Mediated Agreement provides that the Advisory Committee automatically be disbanded after ten years, a process often referred to as "sunsetting." But Lindsey added that this doesn't mean the end of citizen involvement in helping Sea-Tac be a good neighbor.

"The Advisory Committee preceded an FAA community noise program now operated under Part 150 of the FAA rules," said Lindsey. "We expect these same volunteers will continue to work with us under the auspices of Part 150."

The five regular members and three alternate members were honored at a dinner earlier this month.