Chronological Index for July 1999

1990: Sep
1994: Jul Sep
1996: Jun Jul Sep Oct Nov Dec
1997: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
1998: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
1999: Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2000: Jan Feb Mar Apr


July 2, 1999

Arizona Airport Prompts Residents To Write Letters. The Arizona Republic prints letters to the editor regarding plans to build a park near the Tempe airport.

Florida Airport Runway Construction Prompts Noise Debate. The Palm Beach Post reports that Palm Beach International Airport's (PBIA) runway construction work has some residents consulting heir attorneys.

Maine Company Apologizes To Residents For Night Noise and Promises Solution. The Portland Press Herald reports that Bath Iron Works (BIW), a Navy shipbuilder, apologized to its South End Bath neighbors for construction noise at night when people were trying to sleep. Kevin Gildart, a spokesman for the company, assured residents that measures to lessen the noise were in progress, and more solutions were forthcoming.

Silence Is golden. The following Op Ed article appeared in the Jerusalem Post.

July 3, 1999

Insulation Before House Is Completed Is Cheaper. In a question and answer column in the Times-Picayune, homeowners learn about insulating their houses and the cost of the work.

July 4, 1999

Southern California Residents Complain About Airplane Noise More Than Safety. The Los Angeles Times reports that southern Californians complain more about airport noise than aircraft emergencies. The article emphasizes, however, the most important issue is safety, citing four emergency landings on San Fernando Valley streets within a few week And in the middle of the discussion is the Burbank-Glendale-Pasedena airport expansion, vigorously opposed by the city of Burbank.

Iowa Rural Residents and Ostrich Farmers At Odds Over Odor and Noise. The Associated Press reports that an ostrich farmer in rural Greene County Iowa and a nearby neighbor may end up in court over the noise and odor from the 300-pound birds.

July 5, 1999

London Says New Rolls-Royce is Quieter Car. The Air Transport Intelligence reports that if industry and state funding are available, the Rolls-Royce airplane will be quieter by 10 decibels (dB) by 2010.

North Carolina Resident Challenges Statistics On Jet Noise. This letter to the editor about airport noise and statistics appeared in the Greensboro North Carolina News & Record.

France To Enforce Tough Noise Ban At Airport. According to the Air Transport Intelligence, Stage 2 aircraft will no longer be able to land at Lyon-Satolas Airport at night in southeastern France. The French government approved new plans submitted by airport officials. Older aircraft such as old generation Boeing 727 may not land between 11:15 pm and 6:15 am.

Greensboro Airport Noise Statistics Are Deceiving. News & Record (Greensboro, NC) printed the following letter to the editor. The noise consultant, Andy Harris, stated that FedEx would want to fly its planes away from the hub (and away from residential areas) for greater efficiency. But on some nights wind conditions will force them to fly over residential areas.

July 6, 1999

California Residents Upset Over Gun Range Noise: Current Reduction Measures Not Working. According to the Ventura County Star, some residents who live near Grant Park's Gun Range have filed numerous complaints about the noise from 9mm gunshots. And the sound-reduction measures, an earth berm and metal barriers, are required by the city, but aren't effective.

Students and Scientists Study Noise Impact on Whales. According to an Associated Press article, scientists have studed whale feedings in the Massachusetts Bay between Cape Ann and Provincetown, and think that too much human noise from fishing vessels, whale watch cruises and leisure boats may have a negative impact on their health. Now students will begin a five-day study of the impact of noise on whales that feed along Stellwagen Bank one of the nation's 12 aquatic sanctuaries.

July 7, 1999

UK City Council Smashes Loud Stereo As Warning On Noise Action Day. The Gloucester Citizen reports that the city council made an example out of one noisy neighbor by smashing his stereo in a ceremony on Noise Action Day.

UK Groups Say Noise Is Hazardous to Your Health. According to the Times Newspapers, you can get sick from an over exposure to noise. Loud music, neighbors that fight, barking dogs and the do-it-yourselfer who uses a hammer and drill too long are all among the most emphatic noise complaints.

UK Noise Advocates Provide Education on National Noise Action Day. Complaints about noise are increasing, says the Evening Herald, and the complaints come from people who live near quarreling neighbors, nightclubs and airports, just to name a few.

UK Town Councils Urge Quiet Reflection On National Noise Awareness Day. According to the Derby Evening Telegraph, the North East Derbshire District Council called for day of quiet and consideration among neighbors in honor of National Noise Awareness Day.

Scotland City Gets a Noise Complaint a Day. The Aberdeen Evening News reports that the Aberdeen City Council launched the third National Noise Action Awareness Day to educate residents about noise and its impact on others.

Letters To the Editor Tell of Residents' Protest Over LAX Expansion. No more planes

Phoenix City Council OKs Noise Barriers For Arroyo Springs Residents. The Arizona Republic reports that Arroyo Springs residents will finally get relief from the overwhelming noise from cars and trailer trucks passing by on nearby Loop 101.

Illinois Shooting Range Faces County Opposition Over Staying Open. According to the Des Moines Register, an indoor shooting range in rural Polk County is in danger of closing because its neighbors and county officials claim the noise is too much. They want it to move to a new location.

Illinois Speed Boater Challenges Noise Citation from County. The Chicago Tribune reports that Mike Lovergine, a McHenry resident, is the first person ever to receive a $35 citation for making too much noise in his hih performance speedboat on Pistakee Bay, north of Johnsburg. The man plans to challenge the ticket in the County Circuit Court.

Increasing Noise Complaints in UK Prompts Activists to Call for Strategy. The Press Association reports that noise is a health hazard as well as an irritant, but we're not doing enough to mitigate it.

Noise Action Day Reveals Noise Complaints On the Rise. According to the Press Association, politicians are campaigning on Noise Action Day, asking people to be more thoughtful of their neighbors. The article revealed that noise complaints are increasing in number, especially noise from arguing neighbors, airplanes and loud music from nearby clubs. Local authorities, however, show no signs of enforcing a national noise policy.

Noise Activists Call for Considerate Neighbors for the Millennium. Valerie Weedon of The Noise Network, says that noise is both an irritant and a health hazard, and we're not doing enough to mitigate it. <

Police in Rhode Island Town to Purchase ATV To Patrol Gravel Pits. The Providence Journal-Bulletin reports that dirt bikers are no longer welcome on private property. About 400 acres of gravel pits near the New London Turnpike and Route 95 never have been a site for recreation, but dirt bikers have used them for some time without being challenged. That's all about to change because of the noise they make.

Utah City Council Puts Noise Barrier On Voting Ballot. According to the Deseret News, residents in Farmington want the town to build noise barriers around Interstate 15, which is soon to be expanded. They were successful in getting over 1,000 signatures to have the issue on the city's Nov. 2 ballot.

Utah Residents Want Noise Barrier on I-15. The Salt Lake Tribune says that residents in Farmington, Utah want the city to build a sound barrier along Interstate 15. They've gathered over 1,000 signatures asking the city to accept state funding for a concrete slab from the Utah Department of Transportation. If the city declines, residents say they have over 25 percent more signatures than they need to get on the ballot at voting time in November.

July 8, 1999

UK Town Councils Provide Noise Education For Neighborhoods. According to the Sentinel, borough [town] councils in the UK have received so many noise complaints during the summer, prompting local officials to provide public education programs to help neighbors prevent noise before they make it.

Sacramento County Developers May Have To Disclose Airport Noise to Buyers. According to the Sacramento Bee, the proposed Sunrise-Douglas development is near Mather Airport, and developers may be required to include an aviation disclosure statement to prospective buyers, informing them to expect aircraft noise since the development is near the airport.

Caged Dogs in UK Back Yard Cause for Concern Among Neighbors. According to the South Wales Evening Post, residents in one community in South Wales is taking on its own town council because of one neighbor's hobby-- raising dogs, which are kept caged in his back yard.

California Towns Protest Marine Helicopter Flight Path. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, marine helicopters may soon hover over East County. Officials from three towns are concerned that the north-south flight corridor above Interstate may be moved. The flight path is above Interstate 15 from the Marine Air Station in Miramar to Escondido.

Earth Is Noisy Planet Say Experts. The Christian Science Monitor reports that only 50 years ago, most of the Earth's noises were natural ones rather than technological. Today, however, the opposite may be true. According to the report, astronomers claim that radio waves from communications satellites interfere with their radio telescope observations. The article also reports that aquatic animals such as whales and dolphins are at risk because, according to National Geographic Society oceanographer, Sylvia Earle, our arrogance accompanies our technology; we have not studied the impact or consequence our technology has in the air or oceans.

Will Pleas For Quiet Go Unheard?. The Herald Express reports that England's National Noise Action Day may only be a good idea.

Illinois town Council To Update Noise Ordinance.

Indiana Town Council's Proposed Noise Ordinance To Curb Barking Dogs. The South Bend Tribune printed letters to its action line regarding barking dogs and other loud noises.

Noise Action Day Celebrated in Smashing Ceremony. An article in the Bristol United Press reports that one noisy rock fan in Gloucester lost his confiscated stereo system when it was crushed by heavy equipment in a ceremony to mark Noise Action Day.

Noise Action Day Prompts England's Environment Minister To Ask For Quieter, Gentler Neighbors. An M2 Presswire article reports that England's Environment Minister, Michael Meacher, addressed an audience at a shopping center in Westminster on Noise Action Day, asking people to consider their neighbors and live quieter lives. Meacher told the audience that overexposure to noise has an adverse effect on our lives and our health.

Noise Activists in England Call For Stronger Ordinances. The Birmingham Post reports that excessive noise ranging from quarreling neighbors and overly loud stereos to jet noises overhead have prompted an increase in noise activism in England.

Town Council In UK To Fine Noisy Neighbors. According to the Bristol Evening Post, the town council has warned noisy neighbors to keep down the noise or go to court.

Tulsa Residents Not Happy Over Amusement Park's Proposed Expansion. According to the Tulsa World, residents near Expo Square are anything but amused with Bell's Amusement Park's proposed expansion and addition of a larger roller coaster.

July 9, 1999

FAA Proposes Rules to Limit Air Tours Over Grand Canyon National Park In an Effort to Restore Natural Quiet. The M2 Presswire reports that the FAA has announced its plan to reduce air-tour noise over Grand Canyon National Park as the next step in realizing a 1987 law that calls for restoration of natural quiet in the park. The law calls for at least half of the park to be free from aircraft noise for greater than 75% of the day; currently only 32 percent of the park is quiet that often, and the new plan will increase that number to 41 percent. The FAA has revised air tour routes over the park, modified 'flight-free' zones, and designed a system that allocates limited numbers of flights to individual air tour operators.

July 10, 1999

Residents Near Los Angeles' Van Nuys Airport Will Bring Grievances to Top FAA Official at Public Hearing Today. The Daily News of Los Angeles reports that a public hearing today will give residents a chance to talk to the top regional official of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) about noise levels surrounding the Van Nuys Airport. A local Representative set up the meeting after a 1998 survey prompted 5,000 responses from angry residents who are bothered by noise.

Industry Moving Into Western Virginia Creates Noise Problems for Residents. The Roanoke Times & World News reports that industry, which is moving increasingly into Western Virginia, is causing noise problems for residents. Frito-Lay and Johnson and Johnson are some of the big-name companies whose factories have created noise problems. While these factories often employ many people in the community, they also are commonly convinced to locate in a particular community that offers taxpayer money as an incentive. Most neighbors accept factories but wish they would keep quiet at night.

Police in Flushing, Michigan Use Unmarked Cars to Identify Noise Ordinance Violators. The Associated Press State & Local Wire reports that police in Flushing, Michigan have been cracking down on loud car stereos this summer using a 1992 noise ordinance. The ordinance includes a $500 fine or 90-day jail term for violators. Officers have been using unmarked cars to enforce the ordinance, so violators don't recognize patrol cars and lower the volume.

July 11, 1999

Elkhart, Indiana Toughens Noise Ordinance. The South Bend Tribune reports that Elkhart, Indiana's noise ordinance will be toughening fines, ranging from $100 to $2500. The ordinance will now apply around the clock, and police can identify violators by hearing a noise 50 feet from the source, measuring over 83 decibels at 15 feet, or subjectively judging a sound to be "inherently offensive and patently obnoxious." Recent regulation of train whistles in Elkhart prompted the revisions to the ordinance in the interest of dealing with several other noise issues -- such as loud mufflers or stereos -- at the same time.

Hyannis, Massachusetts Residents Oppose Improvements at Barnstable Municipal Airport, Claiming That Inevitable Expansion Will Bring More Tourist Traffic Making Noise Problems Worse. The Boston Globe reports that residents of Hyannis, Massachusetts oppose $10.3 million in proposed improvements at Barnstable Municipal Airport. They say the project, which airport officials say will just bring the airport into the current century, will increase traffic and destroy environmentally-sensitive land. They resent the burden of tourist flights that stop on the way to Nantucket where they spend their money, and claim that airlines are using Barnstable to do noisy maintenance to avoid disruptions at the flashy Nantucket airport. Residents have used intimidation tactics to try and get their message across: "Too low, too loud, too often."

New Orleans International Airport to Soundproof Homes in Kenner, Louisiana. The Times-Picayune reports that Louisiana's New Orleans International Airport will soon begin a $20 million soundproofing project in Kenner. The project is part of the noise mitigation required by a 1989 lawsuit settlement; the airport purchased 700 homes in the loudest areas in the first phase, and soundproofing is the second phase. Residents whose homes are soundproofed -- at a cost of about $20,000 each -- must grant an easement promising not to sue the airport over noise. In homes where renovations would need to be paid by the homeowner before soundproofing could even begin, residents may have the option of receiving cash for the easement instead of insulation. The contractors in charge of soundproofing will be required to remain in the state for at least a year to answer for any homeowner complaints.

Whale Song Researcher Works With Students from the American School for the Deaf to Examine the Possibility that Whales Are Losing Their Hearing. The Boston Globe reports that a researcher from the University of Connecticut is working with two teenage students at the American School for the Deaf on the question of whether whales may be losing their hearing due to man-made noise. The students feel that hearing loss is something they may have in common with the whales. Whales need their hearing to survive, but will not leave noisy feeding grounds that is as loud and dangerous to a whale's hearing as to humans living near an airport. They will study whether whale songs match noise patterns, which would indicate that the whales may hear, and be injured by, the noise.

July 12, 1999

Parishioner at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, Louisiana Applauds New Law to Keep Street Performers Quiet During Church Services. The Times-Picayune prints a letter to the Editor from a parishioner at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, Louisiana who approves of a new law to restrict street performers and musicians from interrupting church services with loud music. She lived near the cathedral until recently when she realized that the noise was causing stress-related illnesses in her family. She notes that street performers aren't always musicians, but are often jugglers or other entertainers with boom boxes.

Pending Congressional Bills Designed to Increase Airline Competition Would End Limits on Regional Flights at Four Major Airports; Residents Worry About Increased Air Traffic. Newsday reports that two new bills in Congress are designed to allow more regional jets into airports in New York City, Washington D.C., and Chicago. Planes with fewer than 70 seats would be eligible. The House bill proposes a total end to flight limits by 2007 and puts no limit on the number of exemptions; the Senate version restricts its exemptions to small planes for the foreseeable future, and allows the Transportation Department to set a limit on the number of exemptions. New York City residents worry about increased noise and pollution. New York Senators are pushing for guarantees that the bills, if passed, would improve air service and competition in upstate New York.

Raleigh, North Carolina Letter to the Editor Asserts that Ordinance Exemptions For Noisy City-Sponsored Events are Unfair. The News and Observer prints a letter to the editor from a Raleigh, North Carolina resident who is upset over a noise ordinance that plays favorites. He notes that while city-sponsored events are exempt from noise ordinances, a recent orderly protest rally was considered a violation. He asks City Council to comment on these inequities, asserting that this exemption should be removed.

Town Council in Charlestown, Rhode Island Passes New Noise Ordinance. The Providence Journal-Bulletin reports that Charlestown, Rhode Island's Town Council has passed a new noise ordinance aimed at reducing noise from radios -- which should not be audible over 50 feet from the source -- and construction. Construction will be prohibited after 10 PM and before 7 AM. Police will use their own discretion in determining violations, and may levy fines up to $500 and jail terms up to 30 days.

Vancouver, British Columbia's International Airport Concentrates Operations On One Runway As Two Others Are Repaired; Complaints Don't Increase. The Vancouver Sun reports that the north runway at Vancouver International Airport in British Columbia is being used more while two other runways are being repaired. The $4.25 million project will last 28 days, and will strengthen the runways, improve the electrical system, and resurface several areas. Airport officials say that many planes have taken off over the water, keeping increased noise away from residents, but some residents have definitely noticed the increase.

July 13, 1999

Board of Zoning Appeals in Dayton, Ohio Grant Variance Allowing Developers to Insulate Homes Less Effectively Against Noise from Nearby Air Force Base. The Dayton Daily News reports that the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) decided to grant variances to two housing developers allowing them to forego more expensive noise-proofing treatments for cheaper, less effective ones. Most County Commissioners from the four counties surrounding the base agreed, saying that it was important to encourage the base to remain open near their communities. The BZA itself is made up of three commissioners from each of the four surrounding counties. Two BZA members opposed the variance.

County Commissioners in Union Mills, Maryland Hear Public's Noise Concerns Regarding a Local Firing Range. The Baltimore Sun reports that county commissioners in Union Mills, Maryland held a meeting to hear resident's concerns over a loud firing range in the community. The county has no authority to regulate the firing range, but the judge in a pending lawsuit could issue a court order requiring the business to quiet down. A noise expert said that the 100 decibels coming from the firing range is as much as 30 times worse than at other ranges; the increase results from a trend towards noisier games with moving metal targets.

Cross Plains, Wisconsin Introduces Ordinance to Regulate Noise from Outdoor Concerts. The Capital Times reports that the Town Board of Cross Plains, Wisconsin has introduced an ordinance which will limit outdoor concerts to 48 hours, with music allowed between 1 and 11 PM; only one outdoor concert will be permitted at any venue during any one year. A local tavern's outdoor music may be affected, but its indoor music would have to be cited under county law, although the Town plans to give the owner some leeway since he has showed a cooperative spirit.

Jupiter Island, Florida Bans Noisy Winter Construction. The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News reports that Jupiter Island, Florida has banned construction noise during the winter season, when most of its 600 residents are there. A noise will be considered too loud if "in its operation [it] would render the enjoyment of property within the town less agreeable." During the summer, noise is limited to between 8:30 and 5:30 during the week, and to between 8:30 and 1 PM on Saturdays. Equipment that produces noise louder than 65 decibels at a neighboring property is prohibited at any time of year.

Performers Outside New Orleans' Churches Subject to Jail Time Under New Noise Law. The Times-Picayune reports that a new Louisiana law requires street performers and other people to keep noise under 55 decibels within ten feet of a hospital or a church which is having a service. Violators may be subject to a 30-day jail term. The law originated from complaints that street performers in New Orleans were making it hard for parishioners in churches to hear the service. American Civil Liberties Union lawyers say the law restricts the free speech of performers and constrains the city's culture.

Residents of Orange County, California Are Concerned About Noise From Backup Generators Being Installed In Neighborhoods By Telecommunications Companies. The Los Angeles Times reports that a telecommunications company in Orange County, California is installing backup generators in residential neighborhoods. Area City Councils believe that noise from the generators as loud as a lawnmower will disrupt residents. They are also worried that, despite emergency shut-off valves, a car crash could cause an explosion at one of the desk-sized road-side generators. The company didn't use quieter battery backups because they wanted their generators to be able to run indefinitely.

July 14, 1999

Change to Noise Ordinance in Alexandria, Louisiana Means Stiffer Fines for Violators. The Associated Press State & Local Wire reports that Alexandria, Louisiana's new noise ordinance promises stiffer fines for violators. Violators will pay from $137 to $587 for creating excessive noise: especially from nightclubs and vehicles. The old ordinance cost violators only $121 for each violation, regardless of the number of previous citations.

Daphne, Alabama Church Challenges Constitutionality of Noise Ordinance that Was Used to Fine Them. The Associated Press State & Local Wire reports that a church in Daphne, Alabama is challenging the constitutionality of the noise ordinance used to ticket them for $166. They claim that the ordinance restricts their right to free speech and is unconstitutional. The church has soundproofed its walls and moved its instruments, and the city attorney plans to recommend dismissal based on those good-faith efforts.

Editorial by Virginia Beach Resident Claims Local Government Has Gone Too Far In Seeking Economic Growth By Inviting Jets to Relocate There, While Not Addressing Noise Concerns of Residents. The Virginian-Pilot prints an editorial by a Virginia Beach resident who believes that local government went too far in promoting economic growth when it invited additional jets to Oceana Air Base without addressing the existing noise problems in communities surrounding the base. She hears noise from jets who fly overhead as many as 50 times in just a few hours; the noise may continue until 2:30 AM, and begins again at dawn.

St. Joseph County, Indiana Council Adopts Noise Ordinance. The South Bend Tribune reports that St. Joseph County has a new noise ordinance -- driven by increasing development in formerly rural areas -- allowing police to ticket those who are making "loud, raucous or disturbing noises. " The ordinance, which takes effect in August, is similar to ordinances already in place in nearby municipalities.

Swiss Air Warns Switzerland that Higher National Requirements for Compensation of Noise-Affected Residents Will Reduce Its Ability to Compete Internationally. Flight International reports that Swiss Air has warned Switzerland's government that an increase in what they must pay to residents who deal with aircraft noise and must soundproof their homes will cripple their ability to compete nationally. Ticket prices would rise by about $5.25 each. Swiss Air says that it has invested heavily in newer, quieter aircraft and they shouldn't be asked to pay the additional money.

July 15, 1999

Federal Legislation to Set Standards Requiring Aircraft to Use Next Generation Stage Four Aircraft Engines By 2012. The Daily News reports that the pending introduction of the 1999 Silent Skies Act will require aircraft to meet next-generation Stage 4 engine-noise requirements by 2012. Stage 3 engines were 50% quieter than Stage 2, and now Stage 4 engines will reduce noise by an additional 40%.

Personal Watercraft in Pennsylvania Bother Many With Noise and Safety Risks; New Safety Requirement Aimed at Reducing Accidents. The Morning Call reports that many users of Pennsylvania State Parks are irritated with the noise and unsafe operation of personal watercraft; many operators stay in the same area, creating a more constant noise than most other types of craft. Safety concerns have fueled a regulation that will soon require Pennsylvania operators to carry a Boating Safety Education Certificate. While PWCs made up 6.7 percent of registered boats last year, they were involved in 36 percent of accidents and 56 percent of collisions. Their two-cycle engines -- together with two-cycle engines of other boats -- burn oil and leak disproportionate amounts of oil and fuel into waterways. PWCs are barred from certain lakes as well as areas of the Delaware River. National Parks are considering a ban on PWCs altogether, citing that the focus of an operator on the thrill of the PWC itself means they are not actually "enjoying the resources of the park."

July 16, 1999

New Noise Ordinance in Carmel, Indiana Imposes Stiff Fines for Loud Car Stereos. The Indianapolis News reports that a new noise ordinance has been proposed in Carmel, Indiana's City Council that impose stiff fines on noise such as that from loud car stereos. Fines will range from $250 to $2500. Common household lawn and garden equipment will be exempt from 7 AM to 10 PM, as well as approved gatherings and celebrations. Violations will include sound heard from forty feet away or sound measured at 90 decibels or above at 6 feet from the source.

Seattle, Washington Resident Writes Letter to the Editor Urging Seattle/Tacoma Airport to Distribute Noisy Air-Traffic More Evenly from Third Runway. The Seattle Times prints a letter to the editor from a Seattle, Washington resident who wants the Seattle/Tacoma Airport to spread out air-traffic from a third runway more evenly. He also says that he hadn't called the complaint line after awhile because he didn't know calls were being counted. Finally, he wants a moratorium on after-midnight flights. "I'd be willing to give up fresh peaches in December for a full night's sleep."

July 17, 1999

Editorial Authored by Greensboro, North Carolina Resident Proposes Erection of Berms Around the Airport to Reduce Noise Pollution from Engine Testing. The News & Record prints an editorial written by a resident of Greensboro, North Carolina. He says that berms -- with baffles installed on top -- would deflect much of the noise from engine tests that occur at 11 PM and 6 AM on a regular basis. He says that berms would reduce the impact of the imminent arrival of FedEx and their new runway, and says that the reluctant Airport Authority should have no problem gaining approval since the FAA has approved berm construction at so many other airports.

New Orleans Resident Wants Noise Police. The Times-Picayune prints a letter to the editor from a New Orleans resident. He lists several instances throughout his week when he wishes there had been 'noise police', or at least noise laws put in place by local legislators.

Ocean-Front Municipalities Near Newark, New Jersey's Airport Oppose "Ocean Routing" Designed to Reduce Noise for Other Communities. The Asbury Park Press reports that residents and politicians from ocean-front municipalities near Newark, New Jersey's Airport are opposing the airport's proposed 'ocean routing'. Several ocean-front community councils have opposed the proposal which would take planes over the ocean until they gain altitude, thus reducing noise on the ground; they believe that because they are near the ocean, noise will impact them if the proposal goes through. The routing was proposed in order to avoid new flight paths that would have taken planes over communities; supposedly ocean-routed planes will be far enough out to sea that ocean-front communities won't hear anything.

San Diego, California Residents Near Marines' Helicopter Flight Path Continue Campaign to Move Path or Be Compensated. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that San Diego residents along the Marines Helicopter flight path -- roughly Interstate 15 -- are continuing the campaign to either move the noisy path or receive compensation. In a letter to the Marines, a San Diego Councilwoman asks the Marines to eliminate the flight path, institute a noise monitoring system and reduce the frequency of some helicopter operations. A Del Mar lawyer plans to help 20 residents with "inverse condemnation" suits to force the government to buy their homes or purchase easements. Several alternative routes have been proposed, and the Marines are currently reviewing all of the alternatives. because of negatively-affected property value.

July 18, 1999

Helicopter Tour Operators in Juneau, Alaska Ask for Increase in Permitted Ice Flow Landings; Residents and Hikers Say Noise From the Flights Is Already Too Much. The Anchorage Daily News reports that helicopter tour operators in Juneau, Alaska -- who are asking the National Forest Service to increase the number of ice flow landings they are permitted -- are bothering residents and hikers with their noise. Tours have increasingly been routed over wilderness areas in order to avoid residential areas where complaints often originate, but now hikers say they "can't get away" from civilization anymore. 86,000 of 500,000 tourists who come to Juneau each year take helicopter tours, spending at least $13 million in the process.

The Boston Globe. The Boston Globe reports that in response to increasing noise complaints several years ago, police officers in Boston, Massachusetts' Jamaica Plain neighborhood instituted "Operation Sound-Off." Police respond to noise-hotline complaints with three decibel meters, warning first-time violators but ticketing repeat violators $100 and sometimes requiring a court appearance. Holidays, weekend cookouts and cultural celebrations are not subject to the ordinance.

July 19, 1999

Rail Companies in Northern New Jersey Talk of Expansion While Several Towns Are Already Inundated With Noise and Fumes from Idling Deisel Trains. The Record reports that complaints over noise and fumes from long-idling diesel trains in Northern New Jersey have increased in recent months. Several municipalities, including Bogota and Ridgefield Park, are also concerned about safety since some of the trains block emergency vehicle crossings. Railroad companies seem to believe that "they are no longer accountable", and the Federal Surface Transportation Board -- which is supposed to watch rail companies -- seem incapable of real action; federal legislators are talking with rail companies, but the next step may be legislation designed to make rail companies more responsible.

July 20, 1999

Australian Columnist Jokes About Her Experience of Going Deaf at 29 From Accidents, Discusses Toxic Noise as Another Cause of Hearing Loss for Young People. The Evening Standard reports prints a humorous column, written about the author's serious problem of accident-induced hearing loss. Most hearing loss in young people is due to loud noise or music, and people under 30 are starting to show signs of hearing loss formerly found in those over 50. Danger of exposure to dangerous levels of sound is increasing, and Australia's medical community is launching a campaign to point out how dangerous noise can be. Neuro-toxins like cigarettes can also worsen hearing loss.

Flight Management Systems for Aircraft May Reduce Flight Delays and Noise Footprints by Making Flight Paths More Precise. The Associated Press State & Local Wire reports that new Flight Management Systems (FMS), which integrate information from global positioning satellites, instruments, and engines to guide aircraft on more exact routes, may reduce flight delays and noise footprints on the ground. Noise footprints will be reduced since planes will be able to adhere to designated paths that minimize residential overflights. While few planes currently use the technology, 75% of planes made today have FMS installed.

Letter to the Editor Recommends the Dissolution of the "Endlessly Complaining" Airport Noise-Abatement Committee. The Press Journal prints a letter to the editor from a resident who believes that the Vero Beach, Florida Airport Commission should dissolve the Noise Abatement Committee. The author has previously worked with another airport commission, and says that the "endless complaints" of their noise-abatement committee were effectively silenced by the commissioner when he dissolved that committee.

July 21, 1999

A Day at the Noise Compatibility Office of the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram prints an article that describes the role of the Noise Compatibility Office at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (D/FW). The Office is similar to offices at every major airport around the country, and serves primarily to "monitor aircraft noise and flight patterns around the airport, take complaint calls about it and investigate anything out of the ordinary." They sometimes advise potential home buyers of loud areas or city planners considering rezoning. Armed with data from 35 noise monitors and three video screens full of flight patterns, workers at the noise compatibility office are ready to address any noise complain.

Bath, Maine Residents Complain About Noise from Overnight Construction at Bath Iron Works Shipyard. The Portland Herald Press reports that residents are sick of noise from overnight construction at Bath, Maine's Bath Iron Works (BIW). BIW was forced to file a new permit to allow night work, and they can now legally work at night if they don't exceed a 50 decibel nighttime limit. Residents want work to stop between 10 PM and 6 AM. BIW has apologized for the noise, and notes that a nose consultant is on premises nightly, monitoring the noise. Critics question why the shipyard is allowed to take their own readings.

Neighbors of New Off-Leash Dog Park in Broad Ripple, Indiana Worry About Noise, Smell, and Health Issues. The Indianapolis Star reports that neighbors of a new off-leash dog park in Broad Ripple, Indiana are worried about noise, smell, and health issues that the park may create. The grassy two-acre fenced-in zone has benches and a dispenser with disposable bags for picking up after pets, and will be open from dawn until dusk. Advocates say that dogs rarely bark at a dog park because they aren't bored, lonely, or territorial. Also, dog owners tend to consistently clean up after their pets because of positive peer pressure from other owners. Park officials will be stationed at the "bark park" during peak hours, and will do periodical walk-throughs and disinfecting of waste receptacles. Owners will register their pets at the park offices, and will be barred from bringing food, alcohol, or children under 12; any problem dogs will also be banned.

New Ordinance in Carmel, Indiana Aimed to Quiet Nighttime Noise. The Indianapolis Star reports that a new noise ordinance in Carmel, Indiana is aimed at reducing noise in the community. Problems in the community include loud car stereos, barking dogs, and early morning garbage trucks. After the ordinance is passed, noise of over 90 decibels as measured 6 feet from the source will be forbidden between 10 PM and 7 AM, except for a few exemptions. Fines will range from $250 to $2500.

July 22, 1999

California's Transportation Department Proposes Piggybacking Soundwalls on Interstate Expansion Project If State Approves Money. The Press-Enterprise reports that California's Transportation Department (Caltrans) wants to install sound walls along Interstate 10 near the Redlands community as part of a proposed highway expansion plan. Residents have complained about traffic noise for years because of its annoyance and impact on their property values. The brick wall would reach 14 feet on both sides of the highway. Caltrans says its proposal is contingent on state money that will become available in 2002.

Court Orders Government to Pay 170 Million Yen to Residents Suffering Anguish from Constant Noise at Atsugi Air Base near Tokyo. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Tokyo High Court ordered the government to pay 170 million yen to 134 residents who sued over constant noise from Atsugi air base. The court dismissed the residents' demand that night flights from the base be halted, and their request to be compensated for future noise. Only those plaintiffs who experience an average perceived daily exposure of 70 decibels are being compensated, leave twenty or so uncompensated. The residents and the government both appealed the decision.

Noise at Forest Hills Swim Club in New York City Has Residents Complaining and City Officials Looking for Ways to Make the Venue Accountable. The Daily News reports that the Forest Hills Swim Club near New York City, which hosts 10 PM to 4 AM weekend dance parties, has drawn over 150 complaints in recent weeks. Last week, 50 demonstrators marched in front of the building demanding their right to a good night's sleep. Club patrons have been observed drinking and driving, publicly urinating, and leaving drugs on residents' lawns. The club owner has no plans to end the dances, and says neighbor complaints may be race related. The city is examining the legality of many aspects of the club, including noise levels and permits.

O'Fallon, Missouri Enacts Emergency Noise Ordinance to Address Noise Complaints Directed At Baseball Field. St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that a noise ordinance was passed in O'Fallon, Missouri to address increasing noise complaints directed at a local ballfield. Noise registers in the high 90s at the field, and in the 50s outside of it; the new ordinance's limit is 93 inside the park and 50 outside. The city has hired a consultant to determine strategies for reducing noise, which may include replacing the speaker system in large part; the owner of the ballfield has said he is open to that possibility.

Polaris Amphitheater in Columbus, Ohio Backs Down on Promise to Build Noise Wall. The Columbus Dispatch reports that Columbus, Ohio's Polaris Amphitheater, whose management promised to build a sound wall to reduce noise that disturbs neighbors, will not build the wall. The amphitheaters parent company says the wall is too expensive and may not be effective, and is hiring a noise consultant to determine alternative strategies; City Council has asked the company for a timeline. Residents are upset that the city council is not enforcing its own noise ordinance, and say that enforcement should happen before soundproofing.

Police in Troy, New York Confiscate Cars with Too-Loud Stereos as Evidence of Noise Violations. The Associated Press State & Local Wire reports that noise ordinance enforcement in Troy, New York sometimes include confiscating cars with loud car stereos. If stereo volume is measured higher than 76 decibels at 50 feet away, the car is violating the noise ordinance and can be confiscated. Fines begin at $35, and violators -- who include bearers of too-loud boom boxes and motorcycles -- are responsible for any towing costs.

Railroad Yard in Bogota, New Jersey Agrees to Delay Plans for Second Siding Until Current Complaints of Long-Idling Trains Are Addressed. The Record reports that executives at CSX Corporation, a rail shipping company, have agreed not to build a proposed second siding at their Bogota, New Jersey Railyard until complaints over long-idling engines are addressed. Engines that idle up to 30 hours spew fumes and noise into the lives of nearby residents. CSX plans to discuss alternatives with local lawmakers, and say that the problems are caused by problems at another railyard near Albany, New York.

Residents of Crestmoor, Colorado Successfully Fight Liquor License For New Bistro Anticipated to Cause Parking Problems and Noise. The Denver Westword reports that Crestmoor, Colorado residents successfully fought to deny a liquor license to a new restaurant. Residents have lived with daytime businesses in the same location for years, but they feared that a nighttime one with restaurant-sized parking requirements would cause noise, litter and parking problems at night. After residents testified that they did not "desire" the establishment because of possible parking problems, the license was denied.

Tavares, Florida Noise Ordinance Will Technically Forbid Loud Frogs From Croaking. The Orlando Sentinel Tribune reports that noise from tree frogs were above the limits set by a new ordinance in Tavares, Florida.

July 23, 1999

Boat Launch Site On Deland, Florida's Lake Monroe Closed After Residents Complain Of Noise; Airboaters Say Only Some Operators Are Disrespectful. The Orlando Sentinel Tribune reports that after resident complaints at a recent County Council meeting about airboat noise from a launch site on Deland, Florida's Lake Monroe, officials closed the site. A task force has been assembled to balance resident concerns with airboaters' rights to operate their boats in a responsible manner. One member of the County Council noted that all arbiters wear ear protection, underlining the noise they generate. The Sheriff's office says that it can solve the problem with stepped up enforcement, but as of yet they have no airboat that would allow them to witness the actual violations -- a prerequisite for issuing a ticket.

Noise from Omaha, Nebraska's Ranch Bowl Concert Gets Show Shut Down; City Officials and Neighbors Call for Noise Reduction. The Omaha World-Herald reports that a recent concert at Omaha, Nebraska's Ranch Bowl, noise was loud enough to get the show shut down. After a warning at 7:30, police pulled the plug at 10 PM. The current ordinance allows for a $500 fine and 6 months in jail, and a new proposal would require a permit for all outdoor events. Other problems associated with Ranch Bowl concerts include illegally parked cars and litter, which the owner said he will address. The Ranch Bowl -- a popular bowling spot for years -- has a long history including visits from at least two American Presidents.

July 24, 1999

Yomiuri, Japan Residents Disappointed in Court's Rejection of Night-Flight Ban; One Resident Particularly Angry Since Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Forced Her Son to Give Up His Dream. The Daily Yomiuri reports that the Tokyo High Court rejected a bid by residents of Yomiuri, Japan to ban noisy night-flights at Atsugi Air Base. The court required the government to pay 170 million yen in damages for pain and suffering to residents and to continue soundproofing homes in the residential area, but set no date to move night operations to another location. The article goes on to tell the sad story of a particular resident's son, which included his being forced to give up his dream of musical arrangement because of noise-induced hearing loss caused by lifetime exposure to the airport noise.

July 25, 1999

Americans Losing Their Hearing at Younger Ages Due to Noise. The Providence Journal-Bulletin reports that our noisy society and behavior is causing Americans to lose their hearing at younger ages than ever before; 26% more incidences of hearing loss in those aged 45-65 have occurred in the last nineteen years. High tones are lost first, making it harder to hear consonants which carry all the information in speech. Regular exposure to sounds of louder than 90 decibels can slowly damage auditory cells, and sounds like firecrackers of up to 140 decibels can damage hearing immediately and painfully. To avoid hearing loss, you can wear ear plugs while at loud concerts or operating loud appliances or machines, and keep stereos lower. The article also mentions digital hearing aids, which can be two to three times more expensive but can also effectively screen out certain frequencies of undesirable sound.

Columbus, Ohio Editorial Says Local Amphitheater Should Abide By Local Noise Ordinance. The Columbus Dispatch prints an editorial asserting that Columbus, Ohio's Polaris Amphitheater, which has drawn noise complaints since its opening in 1994, is still violating the local noise ordinance and should start complying. While many bands adhere to the 100 decibel limit as measured 100 feet from the stage, the amphitheater has refused to take responsibility for those who do not. Polaris had promised to build a 16-foot sound wall to block some noise, but has since rejected the idea as too costly and possibly ineffective. The author says this is irrelevant, claiming the real solution is consistent enforcement of existing amphitheater policies and the city's noise ordinance.

Family's Dirt-Bike Track in Howard County, Maryland Bothers Neighbors. The Baltimore Sun reports that noise from a dirt-bike track in the backyard of one Howard County, Maryland family is bothering neighbors. Zoning officials say motorbike tracks are not allowed in residential districts, but the family claims the decision would "unfairly restrict a family hobby" which includes "no commercial aspects." While in at least one instance the family has dispensed with the noise on a given day when asked, neighbors feel they shouldn't be required to 'call ahead' to use their own backyards.

Some at Seniors Community in South Bend, Indiana Are Bothered by Street Noise, Others Are Not. The South Bend Tribune reports that while some senior citizens at the Robertson's Apartments in downtown South Bend, Indiana are disturbed by street noise, others are not. Residents who are bothered cite a loud bar across the street, unruly patrons from the bar, motorcycles loud enough to set off car alarms, and outdoor concerts at a nearby parking garage. The outdoor concerts -- whose organizers have agreed to face the bands away from the apartments -- always end before 11 PM, and the bar owner said he establishment has been fight-free for over one year, though the article didn't address the legality of other noises. Some residents blame city planners for allowing a senior citizen community next to a loud bar, while they commend the easy access they have to bus service and shopping.

July 26, 1999

Burbank, California Airport Commissioners Have a Choice: Make Good on an Agreement to Buy Land for a New Terminal that May Never Be Approved or Face a Lawsuit From the Landowner. The Daily News of Los Angeles reports that the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority in California has a choice today: buy land for a terminal that the city of Burbank may never approve or default on their agreement and face a lawsuit from Lockheed Martin: the landowner. Burbank has threatened not to approve expansion unless a curfew on night-flights is instituted. The curfew is undesirable to the airlines, and the FAA has never granted such a ban. Burbank is pushing for the purchase, and hopes that Glendale's representatives on the Authority will agree since most of Glendale's city council -- which has recently become more anti-expansion with the arrival of several new members -- has been pushing for a settlement to the expansion question.

Number of Flights Over Grand Canyon May Be Frozen as Early As January In Order To Restore Natural Quiet to the Park. The Arizona Republic reports that federal officials may freeze the number of flights passing over the Grand Canyon as early as January. Many of the 250,000 hikers and rafters that come to experience the wilderness of the park each year applaud the measure, but air tour operators claim that some of their 800,000 passengers will be deprived of that experience. The two-year freeze is meant to restore quiet to 50% of the park for 75% of the day, as ordered by a 12-year old federal law, and noise will be monitored throughout that time to determine how much quiet has been restored. The FAA hopes to meet the mandated goal by 2008. The $151 million air-tour industry stands to lose $25.5 million each year for ten years.

July 27, 1999

Citing Hearing Loss at Younger Ages, Wise Ears Campaign Wants You to Protect Your Hearing. The Washington Post reports on the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, which is part of an ongoing campaign to educate the public about noise-induced hearing loss and how to prevent it. It discusses the hair cells in your ear responsible for hearing, as well as types of noise that can damage those cells.

Faulty Fire Alarm at the Hampdens in Glasgow, Scotland Woke Neighbors at 5 AM. The Daily Record reports that a faulty fire alarm at the Hampdens in Glasgow, Scotland went off at 5 AM yesterday, awakening neighbors of the stadium with the cry of "Evacuate". The stadium reopened last May after renovations that cost 60 million pounds. The new fire alarm was part of the renovations, but the intentionally sensitive triggers appear to be too sensitive, and stadium managers have promised to look into the problem.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida Police and City Officials Work Towards Reduction of Motorcycle Noise. The Sun-Sentinel reports that after years of noise from motorcycles, police have started to increase enforcement, using decibel meters to measure noise as well as identifying doctored mufflers forbidden by state law. They are working with city officials to change the noise ordinance to make that enforcement easier. Police have ticketed more frequently with 160 citations last year, but city officials say that number could be ticketed in a week. Noisy muffler pipes -- legally available as 'off-road' models -- add personality to a bike, and alert drivers to a biker's presence. Motorcycle noise is seen as a threat to the public, and many popular motorcyclist spots encourage patrons to reduce motorcycle noise.

Surprise, Arizona Disagrees With State's Law Requiring Use of Out-Of-Date Noise Contours to Zone Around Luke Air Force Base; Pentagon Sides With Surprise. The Associated Press State & Local Wire reports that Surprise, Arizona's disagreement with state-required use of old noise contours from 1988 has gained support from the Pentagon. The newer, smaller 1995 contours will allow planners to zone more appropriately and avoid potential lawsuits from homeowners whose property value is lowered according to 1988 noise contours that show greater noise exposure than they currently receive

July 28, 1999

200 Orange County, California Residents Demand End to Plans for Commercial Airport at El Toro Marines Base After Jet-Noise Tests Disrupt Their Lives. The Los Angeles Times reports that over 200 residents of Orange County, California packed a Board of Supervisors meeting to demand an end to plans for a commercial airport at the former El Toro Marines Base. Jet-Noise tests in June shook roof tiles and caused many residents to worry about safety and property values. The county's jet-noise expert was conspicuously absent from the meeting, as was noise data the County was supposed to have gathered at the test. Some residents of nearby communities downplayed the noise, noting that John Wayne Airport -- which may experience less traffic if El Toro goes through -- subjects them to more noise. Supervisors will decide on the project in December.

Carmel, Indiana Residents Doubt 10-Foot-Wall Will Effectively Cut Noise From Library's Air Conditioner. The Indianapolis News reports that Carmel, Indiana residents who live near the library's noisy air conditioner don't believe that the proposed ten-foot wall is high enough to effectively block the noise. The library will also apply sound-absorbing material to the wall and other surrounding walls, as well as reducing nighttime operation. Library officials maintain that moisture issues required noisy nighttime operation before now, and also say that the wall can not be built higher since the chiller needs access to a certain amount of air.

New Noise Ordinance to Be Proposed in Louisville, Kentucky After Local Tavern Receives Ten Citations. The Courier-Journal reports that continued complaints about Lousiville, Kentucky's Phoenix Hill Tavern, which has been warned and cited over ten times in the past year, has spurred interest in a new noise ordinance. The article reports that the new ordinance will restrict outdoor music, and revise the current ordinance's vague description of 'unnecessary noise' with measurable noise limits. The tavern owner supports the ordinance, noting that he has already spent substantial amounts of money on sound abatement.

Organizer of ECTS, Europe's Premier Trade Show, Vows to Police Noise from Booths. The M2 Presswire reports that Europe's ECTS trade show will include 'noise police' this year. The noise experts will monitor noise and will be authorized to issue warnings, or pull the plug if warnings are not heeded.

Pulaski County Supervisors Can't Agree with Planning Commission on Which Body Should Initiate a Noise Ordinance. The Roanoke Times & World News reports that Pulaski County's Board of Supervisors can't agree with the Planning Commission on who should take the first step towards a new noise ordinance. The Board referred the matter to the Commission but wouldn't promise to seriously consider adopting any ordinance that the Commission drafted. The Board is doing research into other ordinances. A local businessman pointed out that Pulaski is the only community in the area that requires citizens to personally obtain a warrant from a magistrate to address noise issues.

Quincy, Massachusetts Residents Ask MBTA for More Noise Barriers, Better Bus Service to Stations. The Patriot Ledger reports that a public meeting attended by over 50 residents and the MBTA illuminated two main resident complaints: noise and insufficient bus service to railroad stations. The MBTA says it will try to speed up wall placement, and will institute a pilot program to determine if more frequent bus service is feasible and necessary.

San Mateo County Supervisors in California Promise to Explore Ways to Reduce Touch and Go Flights Outside of the Work-Week at San Carlos Airport. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that San Mateo County Supervisors promised at a recent meeting to try to reduce the number of touch and go flights that disrupt communities surrounding San Carlos Airport. They approved new flight procedures that avoid communities, and a voluntary curfew proposed by the local pilots association that would stop practice flights between 11 PM and 7 AM. Worried pilots who value touch and go practices were also in attendance. Members of Neighbors Against San Carlos Airport Noise want "pattern flying" restricted to 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday, claiming that the Board's proposal, which would allow weekend flights, doesn't go far enough.

July 29, 1999

Alexandria, Virginia Home Uses Landscaped Waterfalls and Lagoons to Block Sounds of Traffic. The Washington Post reports on a home in Alexandria, Virginia that was landscaped to deal with traffic noise using more pleasant noise from water. The award-winning design includes two fountains in front and two waterfalls in back, together with berms scattered around the property and a stand of evergreens that help to quiet the property from the nearby highway. The use of water in sound abatement has double in the last ten years.

Colonie Residents Near New York State's Northway Petition DOT to Perform Noise Study, Erect Noise Walls. The Times Union reports that residents in Colonie, New York near the Northway are petitioning the Department of Transportation to erect noise walls. Traffic on the highway has increased 5-fold since its completion in 1962, and over 75 people signed the community petition. The DOT has no current plans to erect noise walls, and says that maintenance, safety, and bridge projects will take precedence over the walls.

Nelson, New Zealand Residents, Already Campaigning for Ban on Nighttime Logging Truck Runs On One Street, Widen Proposed Ban to Include All Residential Streets At All Times. The Nelson Mail reports that Nelson, New Zealand residents, who were already campaigning against nighttime logging truck runs on Nile Street have widened the proposed ban to include all residential streets at all times. Complaints surrounding logging trucks have included noise and safety issues, made worse after a log fell from a truck recently. The logging company pledges increased safety but says they need to use residential streets. Residents plan to continue pushing the council, which is perceived in a cynical light.

New Flight Patterns Will Spread Aircraft Noise More Evenly Around Sydney Airport in Australia. AAP Newsfeed reports that Sydney Airport in Australia will be implementing its long-term operating plan which will spread aircraft noise more evenly around Sydney. The airport claims that residents will now bear the burden more evenly, while politicians representing the areas to be more affected claim that the changes have not been sufficiently researched and are an outrage.

Official From Australia's Canberra Airport Is Cleared of Allegations Made By a Developer Who Said He Had Broken the Trade Practices Act. The Canberra Times reports that the executive director of Queanbeyan, Australia's Canberra International Airport was cleared in court of making statements forbidden by the Trade Practices Act. The judge said that his comments, which condemned a planned development near the airport that he fears will block future airport expansion, were legal since they weren't made in the course of commerce. The judge acknowledged that the comments was misleading, since airport projections for 2020 place the development out of the areas most affected by airport noise.

Property Owners In Port St. Lucie, Florida Are Concerned With Potential Noise Impact From Proposed Roof Truss Factory. The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News reports that residents of Port St. Lucie, Florida are concerned that a proposed roof truss factory may create round-the-clock disruptive noise. The owner says that no complaints were ever received at their other location, noting that the facility will not operate 24-hours unless a disaster such as a hurricane increases demand dramatically. The proposed facility will consist of a 71,600 square foot factory, an office building, and a 14,000 square foot warehouse built on an 11-acre property.

Residents of Darlington, U.K. Complain of Neighbors Demolition Noise and Dirt Clouds. The Northern Echo reports that residents of Darlington, U.K. are frustrated with a neighbor who is cutting up vehicles and renovating garages, causing noise and dust in the neighborhood. The owner of the property, who leases it, has said he will check into the tenant's activities.

Revisions to Noise Ordinance in Florence, Alabama Simplify Enforcement. The Associated Press State & Local Wire reports that Florence, Alabama officials have revised a noise ordinance to make it easier to enforce. An officer can identify violators by how far away he can hear their noise, instead of having to measure the sound with a special device. Violators will be ticketed up to $200; they will receive a ticket similar to a traffic violation instead of a full arrest procedure that was required under the old ordinance.

San Diego, California Group Works with Marine Corps to Design New Helicopter Flight Paths that Disturb Fewer Communities. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that because of a lawsuit settlement with San Diego, California group Move Against Relocating Choppers Here (MARCH), the Marine Corps is considering flight path changes for its helicopters. MARCH has suggested a more easterly alternative to the current northern route along the highly-populated Interstate 15 corridor. The military also has ideas, but a study considering noise, regulations, and especially safety will need to be done.

July 30, 1999

Chicago Community Association Takes Successful Proactive Approach to Solving Noise Problems. The Chicago Tribune reports on a Chicago Community Association which managed to address noise complaints with none of the traditional fights and lawsuits among neighbors that often accompany noise complaints. A two-year process of surveying, consultation with experts, and the institution of new policies have helped to quiet the building. Newer tenants tend to prefer sleeker furniture and floors which don't absorb sound well, and new rules that require more carpeting on the floors of each room and prohibit or caution against inappropriate activities have quieted the building.

Commissioners at Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles Forbid Additional Noisy Aircraft from Airport, Set 2010 Deadline for Phasing-Out of Existing Noisy Planes. Los Angeles Times reports that the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners passed a rule that would forbid any additional Phase 2 aircraft - noisier than the newer stage 3 variety -- from using the airport. Existing Phase 2 aircraft can remain, but must be phased out by 2010. The rule has drawn criticism from both sides of the noise issue; anti-noise advocates say that the remaining noisy aircraft will still be a problem, while airport advocates say the measure is more "anti-airport" than "anti-noise."

First Results from Noise Study at Louisville Regional Airport Presented at Public Meeting; Public Upset with Seemingly Wandering Flight Paths and Data that Presents Noise Disturbances Too Coldly. The Courier-Journal reports that the Louisville Regional Airport Authority presented preliminary data from noise-monitors to its volunteer Noise Compatibility Study Group. Some residents said that increased disruption wasn't reflected because "A machine does not live and breathe (the noise)." Noise monitors were placed in 20 locations; at one particular monitor, noise passed a 60 decibel threshold 117 times, often passing the FAA's level of 65 which is considered undesirable. Residents also noted that the flight paths looked like "spaghetti", raising the question of whether enforcement of existing flight paths could solve much of the noise problem.

Grand Canyon Hiker Writes to Editor Giving First Hand Account of Disruptive Aircraft Noise. The Arizona Republic prints a letter to the editor by a Grand Canyon hiker, citing the disruptive aircraft noise he experienced on a recent visit to the canyon. He provides a first-hand account of the aircraft noise that is often left abstract in articles about this subject. He supports a freeze of flights over the canyon.

Residents of Small Communities Near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Want Better Buffers Between Homes and Businesses. The Sun News reports that several small communities near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina are being steadily surrounded by commercial development. Some residents don't mind, but many others are disturbed by light and noise pollution from businesses they say are too close to their homes. Residents have to deal with noise and light from fireworks, parking-lot maintenance, generators, and other disruptive sources.

Sea Plane Tours in New York City Will Soon Be Illegal, Despite Claims by Unlikely Supporters that They Disturb No One. Newsday reports that a pending law in New York City will make seaplane tours -- which fly 1,500 feet above the East River -- illegal. Regulation is complicated, since the federal government regulates air space, the city regulates the marina, and the Coast Guard regulates the water. Some unlikely allies have emerged for the company; members of a local Community Board were convinced that the noise is not irritating, and teachers at the United Nations School say that the takeoffs and landing is far from disruptive.

Two Noise Stories From Jerusalem, Israel: Woman Wins Lawsuit Over Noise at Retirement Community; Drag Club Forced to Move After Residents Complain. The Jerusalem Post reports on several issues in communities surrounding Jerusalem, including a political race, new burial options, and several issues relating to noise. A woman who entered a retirement home in 1990 has won a lawsuit against the home which has changed from a peaceful, quiet place due to a nearby long-term construction project that began in 1994. Also in this article was information about a drag club that is being forced to move. Residents' complaints of noise forced the club to close first at midnight, and most recently at 11 PM. Club owners feel they must move because they will not be able to bring in enough money with such short operating hours. Club owners believe that residents' real complaints center around the club's clientele, which includes homosexual and cross-dressing people. Officials deny the allegations, saying that the club has been operating without proper permits, and that a non-drag club in the same building faces the same restrictions

July 31, 1999

Indianapolis International Airport Asks FAA to Require Higher Altitude Before Turning Over Communities to Reduce Noise Impact. The Indianapolis News reports that in a noise study performed for the Indianapolis International Airport, the airport authority has asked the FAA to require pilots to climb higher before turning over communities in order to reduce noise impacts. The new requirements would require pilots to fly at least 4.5 miles before turning. Planes would not only fly higher but would also keep to a narrower corridor instead of spreading out over several communities. Already, the airport has bought over 1,000 homes for $100 million in the area, and this year 380 more residents have been offered noise-abatement in some form, such as soundproofing

Noisiest Section of Expressway in Massachusetts to Get Noise Walls After Eleven Years. The Patriot Ledger reports that a $2 million construction of noise walls along the Expressway in Quincy, Massachusetts is scheduled to begin soon, 11 years after the highway section was rated noisiest in the state. 190,000 vehicles use the section of the Expressway every weekday. The article discusses the structure of the walls in more detail than most articles do.

Northern Kentucky International Airport Near Cincinnati to Test Noise Cancellation Technology. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Northern Kentucky International Airport near Cincinnati plans to test noise cancellation technology to help reduce airport noise. The new technology picks up sound from a microphone and uses a computer to create a negative copy of it; when the negative sound is played back, it cancels out the original sound. While indoor applications have existed for years, it's never been tested at an airport or in other outside situations. Testing the system indoors and out would cost about $450,000, with funds coming from an existing noise-abatement budget.


Other Indexes

Aircraft Noise
Amplified Noise
Effects on Wildlife/Animals
Construction Noise
Firing Ranges
Health Effects
Home Equipment and Appliances
Industrial/Manufacturing
International News
Environmental Justice
Land Use and Noise
Lawsuits
Civil Liberty Issues
Miscellaneous Noise Stories
Noise Ordinances
Noise Organizations Mentioned
Outdoor Events
Noise in Our National Parks/Natural Areas
Regulation
Residential and Community Noise
Snowmobile and ATV Noise
Research and Studies
Technological Solutions to Noise
Transportation Related Noise
Violence and Noise
Watercraft Noise
Workplace Noise

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