CMAL Hot Topic - Airport Noise

By Jeanette Lofstrom LWV Richfield

What do you think of when someone says airplane noise? Most people say the planes flying overhead.  But do you know that Richfield is affected by Low Frequency Noise (NFN)?  NFN is the thunder like rumbling from aircraft engines.  It occurs during taxiing, takeoffs and landings when thrust reversers are used to reduce speed.  It causes rattling noises, vibrations of windows, doors and household paraphernalia.  Normal sound insulation methods for high frequency (planes flying overhead) are ineffective for low frequency noise.  The measurements used for noise are not capable of measuring NFN.  The best solution is to remove the buildings and build ones that are made to take the vibrations.  A 50-block area was identified as being affected by the new North South runway.  In 1999 a $60 million funding commitment ($30M from Richfield MAC Agreement and $30M in MAC bonding directed by the State) was refused to be released by the FAA because it constitutes as "revenue diversion".  The MN Legislature appropriated $5 million to Richfield for acquisition in the most impacted area in East Richfield.  It allowed the city to acquire about 20 to 30 homes.  There are over 200 homes in the 87dB low frequency noise contour.  In October 2000 Rep. Sabo was successful in getting $10 million for noise mitigation in Richfield.

Richfield has obtained 71 single-family homes, seven apartment buildings and 27 commercial properties.  Some of these properties were within 1,200 feet of the north south runway.  Named Cedar Point Commons, the city has redeveloped the area north of 66th Street to 63rd Street and east of 17th Avenue to Highway 77.  Two of the retail stores, Super Target and Home Depot opened in mid-October; several other stores will open soon.  The road to the redevelopment included the construction of Richfield's first roundabout at 66th Street and 17th Avenue.  The city has a master plan for the Cedar Avenue Corridor and hope to complete it with 10 years.  The city's first priority is to finish acquiring the homes north of 66th Street along the rest of 18th, 17th and the east side of 16th Avenues.  The city hopes to redevelop the area to airport compatible uses and will continue to seek state and federal funds.

A recent settlement with MAC for High Frequency Noise was agreed to by Richfield, Minneapolis and Eagan for $127 million.  This provided long awaited noise relief for 1200 homeowners, which was started by a lawsuit in 2005.  Under the terms of the proposed settlement agreement, MAC will provide varying degrees of noise mitigation measures to homes and multi-family units located in the 60-64 DNL contours.  The settlement has been approved by Hennepin County District Court.  The Federal Aviation Administration must sign off on the agreement by November 30.

Another factor of both High and Low Frequency Noise is the reconstruction of the center sectors of the two main runways this year and next year.  They redirect over 300 flights a day on the 17-35 runway, which runs parallel to Cedar Avenue.  The noise impacts are "temporary", as defined by FAA, and require no noise mitigation updates, environmental impact statements or environmental worksheets.

Minneapolis-St. Paul dropped from 10th to 11th among the 17th largest North American airports in 2006, according to Airports Council International.  And MSP dipped from 19th to 20th largest in the world.  In both instances, it was surpassed by Detroit.  The number of passengers this year was virtually unchanged at 14.6 million through May 2007.  Charter customers has declined 59 percent.

Some questions I have -- Does anyone care about the pollution that comes out of the backend of the planes?  Will a new airport be built?  Will some of the other airports in Minnesota take the load off the MSP airport?