Port Commission Recommends Million in Noise Remedy Spending

FAA must concur; recommendation includes mobile home purchases

(Seattle)--The Port of Seattle Commission on Tuesday recommended spending $100 million over the next five to seven years to help reduce the effect of aircraft noise on communities near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The recommendation now goes to the Federal Aviation Administration for approval.

The recommendations, if approved, will bring to $450 million the amount the Port has spent mitigating the impacts of aircraft noise.

"The Port began this effort in the 1970's, even before the FAA funded noise remedy programs." said Port Commission President Jack Block. "We are proud to be a national leader in reducing the impacts of airport noise."

The recommendation includes several new initiatives in the Port's Noise Remedy Program:

The buyout of mobile home parks in the 70-decibel day/night noise level (DNL.) Because of their construction, it is impossible to add significant sound insulation to mobile homes.
Port-funded insulation of owner-occupied multi-family homes.
Airline testing of engines at hours that will be less disruptive to the community.
Purchase of residential properties in the Approach Transition Zone (ATZ) for the new third runway. The Port owns the properties in this area for the existing runways. The ATZ is an area located directly off the ends of the runway where aircraft pass overhead at low altitude.

"Now that we've completed this study, I believe we should step up our efforts to reach an agreement with the Highline School District to insulate school facilities. As a community, we owe it to the kids in the district to improve the learning environment," Block said.

The recommendation also includes a group of practices and procedures called "Fly Quiet" to work towards reducing the impacts of single aircraft overflights. The "Fly Quiet" program will work towards reducing noise at the source by having the FAA and airlines adopt procedures that minimize the amount of noise generated.

"Fly Quiet is probably the best bargain in this mitigation package," said Gina Marie Lindsey, Managing Director of Aviation for the Port of Seattle. "Reducing noise at the source benefits not only airport neighbors, but those along outlying flight paths as well."

For example, under Fly Quiet the Port will attempt to determine which airlines operate each model of aircraft in the most quiet manner. The Port will then encourage other airlines operating the same model aircraft to consider adopting the quieter procedures.

The recommendations come from a community noise study often referred to as "Part 150," for the section of FAA rules where noise regulations are found. By conducting the study every five to seven years the Port becomes eligible for federal funding to implement the study's findings.

In June, Port Commissioners addressed the flight track component of the Part 150 Study. The outcome of that portion of the Study was a request from the Commission to the FAA to determine the feasibility of directing more flights through Elliott Bay. The FAA is reviewing this request for more information.