Resources
MSP Noise Programs
Coordination and Outreach
| MSP NOISE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE (NOC) |
|---|
In August 2002, the MSP Noise Oversight Committee (NOC) was established. Its purpose is to bring industry and community representatives together to discuss noise issues at MSP and to bring policy recommendations to the MAC Planning and Environment Committee.
The cities of Minneapolis, Richfield, Bloomington, Eagan and Mendota Heights each have a representative on the committee. The cities of Burnsville, Apple Valley, Inver Grove Heights, St. Paul, St. Louis Park, and Sunfish Lake are represented through an at-large membership.
Representing the airline industry are a scheduled air carrier, a cargo carrier, a charter operator, a Chief Pilot of an airline serving MSP, the Minnesota Business Aviation Association (MBAA) and an at-large member.
Shortly after its first meeting on June 26, 2003, the NOC determined that a process was needed for receiving and considering public comments as possible NOC discussion items. Remaining cognizant of the lessons learned from MASAC, the NOC developed an input form and implemented by-law language outlining a process for considering items requested for review by the public.
The public can provide input into the NOC agenda through use of the NOC Input Form, by attending quarterly Noise Public Input Meetings, and by contacting a NOC representative.
It is a NOC member’s responsibility to decide whether or not to bring forward concerns or comments raised by their respective constituencies.
In its four and a half year existence the NOC has compiled an expansive list of accomplishments that have resulted in noise reduction for thousands of residents living around MSP. More information on the NOC, including the Committee’s accomplishments, is available on the Internet at www.macnoise.com/noc/.
Moving forward the NOC will continue to be the focal point of cooperative initiatives to reduce noise impacts around MSP.
Quarterly Public Input
Meetings
MAC Aviation Noise and Satellite Program staff sponsors quarterly public input
meetings at which concerned residents can receive updates on NOC activities,
be briefed on noise-related issues, operational levels, and procedures around
the Airport, and provide comments and voice concerns on airport noise issues.
A memo summarizing comments received at the input meeting is forwarded to the MAC Commissioners and NOC members, and a briefing of all comments and input forms received at the input meetings is provided as an agenda item at the next NOC meeting. All verbal comments made at the public input meetings are responded to in writing by MAC staff and made available on the MAC Noise Program Web site at www.macnoise.com.
The process of receiving and considering public input in airport noise related decisions will continue to be critical to the success of airport noise reduction initiatives.
To provide information to the public, the MAC Aviation Noise and Satellite Programs office has developed a comprehensive website consisting of a vast amount of information relative to noise issues at the MAC system of airports. Through the integrated use of several software packages, MAC staff provides access to various reports, analyses and information. In addition, interactive database query modules provide information on aircraft operations, noise, flight tracks, and noise contours.
Several areas of the site focus on airport noise developments and associated items related to public input. Specifically, the site focuses on the sound insulation program, interactive flight and contour mapping applications, noise and operations reporting applications, the NOC, reliever airport noise programs, community and pilot outreach, and current news items related to airport noise topics.
The site provides visitors with the ability to:
- Query ANOMS databases to obtain aircraft noise levels
- Map an address relative to the insulation program eligibility noise contours
- Query operation counts over a selected remote monitoring tower
- Download monthly operations and noise reports and quarterly newsletters
- Display arrival or departure flight tracks
- View comparisons of hushkitted aircraft to manufactured Stage 3 aircraft
- View and download information relating to the noise insulation program
- View meeting dates and materials for the NOC and MAC scheduled meetings
- Register a noise complaint over the Internet
The MAC is committed to continuing to develop processes and to implement procedures for dissemination, and provide opportunities for communities and residents around the airport to submit their comments for consideration as policy decisions are made. The MAC Noise Program website will continue to be a major contributor to this effort.
Quarterly, the MAC Noise Office publishes the MSP Noise News newsletter. The newsletter is mailed to approximately 5,000 homes around MSP and is available on-line at http://www.macnoise.com/library#noisenews.
An important community outreach effort, the newsletter provides readers with updates on airport noise related initiatives and information on airport and noise related information resources available to the general public.
Distribution of the newsletter will continue to be an important part of the community outreach effort at MSP.
Environmental Coordination in the Planning Process
An important part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) planning process for proposed actions at airports is the community coordination that is required as part of the federal policy. At MSP public involvement and information dissemination is maximized in the environmental analysis and planning process through leveraging technologies and programs such as GIS, ANOMS, the MSP Noise News newsletter, the NOC process and the Internet.
The effectiveness of the community input through the NEPA process will continue to be a focus of ongoing analysis and communication programs at MAC.
Reliever Airport Advisory Commissions
