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
Aircraft Noise Policy Across the World Lacks Coherence. Airline Business reports in an editorial that the failure of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to agree on a transition to Chapter IV noise standards is leading to a patchwork of policy making around the world on aircraft noise. The diverse policies will force airlines to face operational restraints, the editorial concludes.
Leaf Blower Manufacturer Attempts to Make Gas-Powered Model Quieter. The publication Appliance Manufacturer reports that Echo, Inc., a leaf blower manufacturer, has produced a new gas-powered leaf blower designed to reduce noise. The article notes that noise from leaf blowers is under attack across the country, and that hundreds of municipalities have enacted bylaws restricting or banning the blowers. The article goes on to describe the technology used in the new Echo blower.
NoiseBuster Extreme Headphone System Gets Good Review. PC World printed a review of the $69 NoiseBuster Extreme stereo headphone noise-canceling system, and rated in favorably, especially for its price.
Santa Monica Residents Protest Restaurant and Theater Development. The Los Angeles Times reports the Santa Monica (California) Planning Commission last week voted to recommend that the City Council allow a new theater, and the expansion of a popular restaurant, in the Ocean Park neighborhood. Commissioners promised some noise relief to upset residents, in the form of noise level measurements and noise insulation.
Unversity of North Carolina Airport Traffic is Too Noisy, Resident Says. The Chapel Hill Herald printed the following letter-to-the-editor from Peter Aitken, a Chapel Hill resident, regarding noise from the University of North Carolina's Horace Williams Airport:
Orlando Residents Complain About Airport Noise; Officials Measure Levels. The Orlando Sentinel reports that more people complained in April about noise from airplanes flying in and out of the Orlando Sanford (Florida) Airport than in any previous month. But airport officials who decided to test the noise from aircraft over homes in Chase Grove, said the aircraft noise isn't any louder than other everyday neighborhood noises measured on the same day.
Japan Begins to Build Off-Shore Runway for U.S. Forces to Lessen Noise in Residential Areas. AP Worldstream reports that workers began building an off-shore runway in southwestern Japan on Monday for U.S. military planes whose landings and takeoffs create too much noise in residential areas.
City Council Hearing for San Jose Airport Expansion Plan Expected to Draw Angry Residents. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that an ambitious plan that could more than double air traffic at the San Jose (California) International Airport will go before the City Council tomorrow night. The article reports that the hearing is expected to draw residents who are fighting the expansion, saying the increased air traffic sill produce more noise and paralyze traffic in the area. The council could vote on the issue tomorrow night, but it expected to postpone the vote for at least another week because of the controversy.
Eleven Orange County, California Cities Regulate or Ban Leaf Blowers. The Los Angeles Times reports that although the City of Laguna Niguel, California recently rejected a proposal to regulate leaf-blowers, ten other cities in Orange County have imposed regulations, and one city has banned leaf-blowers. The article outlines how the regulations have been passed or rejected in some of the cities, and provides a list of which cities have regulations currently.
Noise Tests of Nightclub Along Massachusetts Coast Show Mitigation Measures May Be Working. The Patriot Ledger reports that residents in the Marina Bay area of Quincy, Massachusetts who complained last summer about noise from the WaterWorks seaside club may have a quieter summer this year due to new noise barriers at the club. License board Chair Joseph Shea said tests show the noise barriers are successfully blocking the loud music from the club. Shea said license officials will review the noise test results at a 10 a.m. meeting tomorrow, and because the noise problem is being curbed, the board also may vote on requests by the club owner to raise the patron capacity from to 1,250 to 1,600 and extend the 11 p.m. live music curfew until 1 a.m.
FAA Issues Policy on Noise Funding Eligibility. The publication Airports reports that the Federal Aviation Administration last week issued a "proposed final policy" on Part 150 approval and funding of noise mitigation measures. The policy says the FAA will not approve or fund noise mitigation measures for new noncompatible development after Jan. 1, 1998.
FAA Lists Notices in the Federal Register. The publication Airports printed the following notices from the Federal Aviation Administration listed in the Federal Register:
Controlling Car Stereos is a Good Idea in Connecticut Town. The Hartford Courant printed an editorial in which the recent move by the board of selectmen in Stafford, Connecticut to consider a noise ordinance for car stereos is applauded. The editorial advises the board of selectmen to act quickly to approve the ordinance, and advises townspeople to support the proposal at public hearings.
Los Angeles Residents Complain of New Jet Noise. The Los Angeles Times reports that several Los Angeles residents in the Marina del Rey neighborhood claim that there has been increasing numbers of airplanes flying over their homes from Los Angeles International Airport.
Charter Airplane Operators Complain About New Nighttime Noise Rules at Brussels Airport. Aviation Daily reports that charter airlines and other operators using noisy aircraft are complaining about new nighttime regulations at Brussels Airport International.
Virginia Road May Get Noise Barriers During Road Widening. The Virginian-Pilot reports that part of the Kempsville Road that links Virginia Beach, Virginia to Chesapeake is set to be widened from two lanes to six lanes, and noise barriers to protect residential neighborhoods from the increased traffic noise likely will accompany the project.
Virginia Town Strengthens Noise Ordinance to Deal With Car Stereos. The Virginian-Pilot reports that the Elizabeth City, Virginia City Council has unanimously passed a stronger noise ordinance addressed at loud car stereos.
Florida City Clerk Arrested for Barking Dog. The St. Petersburg Times reports that Gulfport, Florida resident and St. Petersburg Beach City Clerk Pamala Prell was cited, fined, fingerprinted, booked, bailed out, and brought to court over noise from her barking Doberman pinscher.
Northwest Airlines Wants to Extend Runway in Minneapolis - St. Paul for Overseas Flights. The Star Tribune reports that airport officials of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport gave their initial support Tuesday to a plan to lengthen one runway temporarily and another permanently to allow Northwest Airlines to provide new non-stop flights between the Twin Cities and Hong Kong. A committee of the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) said it would reserve a final decision on the issue until receiving input about the noise impacts of the decision from Minneapolis, Richfield, and Bloomington. However, the committee told Northwest Airlines it could have a decision by July.
Makeup of New Advisory Noise Panel in Florida City Frustrates Citizens Group. The Palm Beach Post reports that the Boca Raton (Florida) Airport Authority Wednesday created a noise advisory committee to study noise issues at the Boca Raton Airport. Although the authority created slots for six residents on the panel, including three residents from the Boca Raton Airport Action Group, the residents from the citizens group would not be permitted to represent the group on the panel. This move has angered the citizens group, which first raised the noise complaints.
New, Massive Roller Coaster Causes Noise Problems for Pennsylvania Residents. The Morning Call reports that a new roller coaster in Cetronia, Pennsylvania is driving residents crazy. The 200-foot tall roller coaster, called "Steel Force," is located at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom and is billed as the tallest, fastest coaster in the East. The roller coaster went up only after a long fight by residents, and eventual agreements on noise limitations by the company. Now, about a dozen residents who live nearby have invited South Whitehall commissioners to come to their homes and backyards to hear the noise. The commissioners plan to accept the invitation, and they want officials from Dorney Park officials to do the same.
Ohio Town Police Chief Wants Noise Ordinance for Car Stereos. The Plain Dealer reports that Medina, Ohio Police Chief Dennis Hanwell has asked the city council to amend the existing noise ordinance to allow police to use their own discretion in issuing citations for noise generated by car stereos in parking lots. City Councillor Pam Miller said she expects council to approve the amendment, the article says.
Colorado Airport Wants to Allow Heavier Planes; Residents Worried About Noise Increases. The Denver Post reports that airport officials in Arapahoe County, Colorado are hoping to change standards at the Centennial Airport to allow heavier planes to land there. The proposal is an attempt to attract a new type of corporate jet that is popular with executives. Some residents who live near the airport, however, are afraid that changing the weight standards will open the door to air traffic from older, noisier jets as well.
Connecticut Town Considers Passing Noise Ordinance. The Hartford Courant reports that the board of selectmen in Stafford, Connecticut decided Wednesday to pursue passage of a town noise ordinance. The decision was prompted by a letter from a resident, signed also by about 30 other people, complaining about the noise levels of car stereo systems.
North Carolina School Board Will Reconsider Whether to Build a Wall to Screen Noise. The Morning Star reports that the New Hanover County school board in Wilmington, North Carolina will reconsider whether to build a wall to shield neighbors who have complained about a noisy air handler at the new Holly Tree Elementary School, set to open this year. The board earlier removed the issue from its agenda after one board member said she didn't believe the board should spend the money on a wall. However, the board has now agreed to discuss the issue at its June 17 meeting.
Europe Moving to Impose Tougher Noise Restrictions on Airlines. EIU ViewsWire printed a summary of a report in European Voice, a weekly newspaper of The Economist Group covering the European Union, which says that Europe is finalizing moves to impose tougher restrictions on noisy airplanes. The European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) is expected to adopt a non-binding recommendation in July committing its member countries not to add any new aircraft to their fleets after 2002 which do not meet the quieter "Chapter 3" noise standards. According to the Association of European Airlines (AEA), the recommendation will eventually form the basis of binding European Union legislation.
U.K. Minister for Transport Supports Environmentally Friendly Aviation Policies. Universal News Services printed a press release from the United Kingdom's Department of Transport regarding a speech in which the Minister for Transport, Dr. Gavin Strang, urged top European airline executives to "think green." The press release says Strang's speech is a signal of the new government's commitment to environmentally friendly aviation policies.
What Residents Can Do About Neighborhood Noise in St. Petersburg. The St. Petersburg Times printed a letter from a resident asking a columnist whether there is a noise ordinance in St. Petersburg, Florida. The resident, W. Bytautas, has a neighbor who plays the drums and the noise is unbearable. The resident asks the columnist how to get action on this problem. The columnist responds by saying there is a noise ordinance in St. Petersburg, but the code compliance officers do not get involved in residential disturbances. The columnist advises calling the police.
Residents Sue Denver Airport and Adams County Over Noise. The Denver Post reports that twenty-two residents living near the Denver International Airport have filed suit in Adams County District Court suing the city of Denver and Adams County for allowing what they claim is excessive noise. The residents all live 2 to 6 miles north of the airport's north-south runways in the rural subdivisions of Van Aire, Vantage Estates, and Lake Estates. The lawsuits allege that the city of Denver, as the owner and operator of the airport, "caused the flight of aircraft over the plaintiffs' property, thereby creating high levels of noise, pollution, and vibrations on plaintiffs' property."
Airport Study in Louisiana Recommends that Airport Development be Zoned. The Times-Picayune reports that the Kenner (Louisiana) City Council has sponsored a study which has recommended that the council could better control noise and protect the value of property near New Orleans International Airport by creating a strict zoning review process of airport development. The City Council's emergency land-use committee will discuss the draft study at a meeting Monday at 4 p.m.
Florida Ice Cream Man Arrested for Noise Violation. The Palm Beach Post reports that police in Boca Raton, Florida busted ice cream vendor Brian Calvert on May 30 for failing to have a permit to sell ice cream in the city, and playing music to draw customers, thereby violating the city noise ordinance.
Calgary Should Crack Down on Noisy Motocycles. The Calgary Herald printed the following letter-to-the-editor from Calgary, Alberta resident Thuy Nguyen regarding noise from motorcycles:
Air Traffic Near San Francisco Grows and So Does Territory of Angry Residents. The San Francisco Examiner reports that residents in Atherton, California and other southern San Mateo County communities have started to complain more and more about noise from planes heading for the San Francisco International Airport. The article says that noise has intensified in the area because larger planes are now being used to serve more travelers, and because new FAA rules have required more airspace between flights, which has limited the number of approaches over San Francisco Bay to the airport.
Florida Airport to Temporarily Redirect Traffic and Cause More Noise for Some Residents. The Sun-Sentinel reports that the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport will temporarily redirect some air traffic on Monday and Tuesday nights, and residents living in Dania neighborhoods south and west of the airport may hear unexpected aircraft noise.
California Residents Fear that Ambitious Master Plan for Small Airport Will Bring More Noise and Development. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that a draft of the Half Moon Bay Airport master plan in Half Moon Bay, California was made public in recent weeks, and proposes a long list of improvements, including the use of the entire length of the 5,000 foot runway, and the installation of equipment to enable planes to land in bad weather. The plan has raised the concern of some residents who believe the airport development could encourage more flights by bigger planes, opening the door to more noise, people, and development in the area. The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors will consider the master plan on July 22.
Maryland Schools Re-Think Open Classrooms Due to Noise Problems. The Baltimore Sun reports that a shift in educational philosophy is prompting schools in the Baltimore, Maryland area to remodel open classrooms into conventional classrooms with walls. Many teachers and parents believe open classrooms cause too much noise and distraction for effective learning, the article reports.
National Basketball Association Orders Utah Stadium to Turn Down the Volume. The Des Moines Register reports that the National Basketball Association has ordered Utah to turn down the volume on the PA system at the Delta Center, but the basketball team the Utah Jazz are arguing against the restrictions, saying the players can't hear their introductions and the dancers can't hear their music.
Schools Should Not Bear the Burden of Seattle's Airport Noise. The Seattle Times printed the following letter-to-the-editor from Laura Anderson, a Normandy Park resident, about the noise from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport that affects students in the Highline School District:
Hearing Organizations Criticize Federal Mining Regulatory Agency's Proposed New Occupational Noise Standards. The Occupational Health & Safety Letter reports that the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has proposed new standards for occupational noise exposure in mines, but a coalition of prominent hearing-conservation organizations have said that the standards do not go far enough to protect miners' hearing.
Little Action on Noise Impacts of Seattle Airport on Nearby Schools. The Seattle Times printed the following letter-to-the-editor from resident Wallace Meyers Burien regarding the effects of noise from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Highline Schools:
Engineers Design Massachusetts Hospital Over Train Tracks. The Engineering News-Record reports that a project is underway to build $232-million, 730,000-sq-ft medical center in Worcester, Massachusetts on top of rail tracks. The article reports that engineers have coped with the problem by designing ways for the noise and vibrations to be absorbed, so that patients, operations, and sensitive equipment are protected. The article goes on to outline the engineering details of the project.
Scientists to Test Anti-Noise Device in Jet Engine. The London Times reports that a British company, Cambridge Concept, has produced an anti-noise device, nicknamed the jetoblaster, that is designed to cancel noise from jet engines. The device will undergo ground trials at London's Heathrow Airport, run jointly by Heathrow airport operator BAA, British Airways, and the Department of Trade. If the ground trials are successful, plans are to design a smaller unit to install on jets.
Idaho County Passes Noise Ordinance. The Idaho Statesman reports that the Ada County (Idaho) Commission has approved a noise ordinance that bans "loud or offensive" noise that is audible 100 feet or more from the source between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. The ordinance covers Boise, Idaho and all other locations in the county.
Virginia County Postpones Decision on Noise Ordinance. The Richmond Times Dispatch reports that the New Kent County (Virginia) Board of Supervisors last night deferred a decision on a proposed noise ordinance, after the board heard from gun owners and others who said the ordinanc would take away personal rights.
Airport Noise Expert Starts Work with Kentucky Airport. The Courier-Journal reports that an airport noise consultant has been hired to work on ways to reduce the impact of aircraft noise from the Louisville (Kentucky) International Airport, and residents got a chance to meet him yesterday.
Florida City's Enforcement of Outdoor Music Regulations Draws Complaints from Bar-Owners. The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports that last month, the Sarasota, Florida City Commission passed two ordinances designed to control outdoor amplified music, and over the past weekend, police officers issued violations to owners of the Lemon Coast Grill and Groove, and the Main Street Depot. Business owners are saying they were targeted to receive violations and that the city's decibel readings are much higher than their own readings.
European Parlaiment Debates Commission Response to Noise Reduction. The Reuter European Community Report released a press release which states that some members of the European Parlaiment are critical that the Commission has not been sufficiently diligent in tackling the noise problem in Europe.
San Jose City Council Approves Airport Expansion Plan Despite Residents' Protests. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the San Jose (California) City Council voted 9-to-1 to approve an airport expansion plan last night that could more than double airline and cargo traffic by 2010, despite fierce opposition from downtown residents.
New York Town Approves New Method to Combat Noise Violations. The Buffalo News reports that police in Buffalo, New York today announced a new system for ticketing noise violators that is expected to get quicker results. Starting Monday, police officers will write summonses for a variety of ordinance violations, including noise violations, and the cases will be handled in the Adjudication Bureau of City Hall. Previously, policy had to make arrests, and the cases went to City Court, the article says.
Milwaukee Church Next to Airport Offers a Seminar on Silence. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the St. Stephen's Catholic Church, on Howell Avenue in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is surrounded by runways and constant noise from Mitchell Airport, but will nevertheless hold a seminar on silence tonight from 6:30 to 8:30. However, the article says, a quiet room will not be available for the seminar.
Florida City to Study Recently Passed Noise Ordinance and Consider Alterations. The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports that the Sarasota (Florida) City Commission agreed Tuesday to leave a recently passed noise ordinance as it is for now, but to investigate whether it needs to be changed by first undertaking more noise tests. A controversy arose after two restaurant owners recently were fined for noise from outdoor music, and noise readings of the police differed from noise readings of the restaurant owners.
Florida County Considers Fees and Restrictions for Jet-Skiers. The Florida Times-Union reports that St. Johns County (Florida) Commissioners are considering a new beach code that would charge jet-skiers a $125 annual fee. The first of two public hearings on the proposed beach code was held last night, with both jet-skiers and opponents vocal in their views.
Los Angeles City Council Approves Use of Gas-Powered Leaf Vacuums After Prohibiting Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers. The Daily News of Los Angeles reports that after passing an ordinance earlier this year outlawing noisy, gasoline-powered leaf blowers, the Los Angeles City Council Tuesday approved an exemption for gas-powered leaf vacuums, which have similar noise levels as leaf blowers.
Mother and Two Children in England Die in Suspected Arson Attack Over Noise Dispute. The Daily Mail reports that a dispute between neighbors over noise may have led to an arson attack in which a mother and two of her children were killed yesterday in Manchester, England.
U.S. Senate Subcommittee Hearing to be Held on Aviation Safety Issues. The Federal Document Clearing House Political Transcripts reports that the Subcommittee on Transportation and Related Agencies, a subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations, will hold a hearing on June 12, 1997 on air traffic controller staffing and other aviation issues. Members include U.S. Senators Richard Shelby (R-AL, Chair), Pete Domenici (R-NM), Arlen Specter (R-PA), Christopher Bond (R-MO), Slade Gorton (R-WA), Robert Bennett (R-UT), Lauch Faircloth (R-NC), R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Robert Byrd (D-WV), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), and Harry Reid (D-NV).
Pennsylvania Residents Protest New Flight Patterns Caused by Construction. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that nearly 100 residents complained to the Moon (Pennsylvania) township supervisors last night about excessive noise from the new flight patterns at Pittsburgh International Airport.
German Court Asks Couple to Make Love to Test Noise Levels After Complaints From Neighbors. The Mirror reports that a magistrate in Warendorf, Germany has asked a couple to make love so that officials can check how noisy they are, after complaints from neighbors about the noise levels. The article says the magistrate first asked the couple if they would move, but when they said they wouldn't, they agreed to have their noise levels monitored.
Chicago and Suburban Group Both Test Aircraft Noise. National Public Radio reports that the city of Chicago and the suburbs that surround O'Hare International Airport have both unveiled high-tech equipment to determine how loud the airport really is. Although both parties, which have been fighting about airport noise for years, originally agreed to share their independent noise data, that agreement has broken down.
Citizens Group Pledges to Fight on After San Jose City Council Approves Airport Expansion. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the San Jose (California) City Council voted 9-to-1 Tuesday to approve an ambitious expansion plan for the San Jose International Airport. Meanwhile, a citizens group opposed to the plan said they will continue the fight and may file a lawsuit.
Florida Airport and Developer Considering Deal to Prevent Future Homeowners from Suing Against Noise. The Palm Beach Post reports that the Boca Raton (Florida) Airport Authority will vote today on whether to pay a developer several hundred thousand dollars to prevent future homeowners on a 78-acre parcel of land near the airport from suing about noise. The authority is considering purchasing the "avigation rights" for the land north of the Boca Raton Municipal Airport.
U.K. Court Rejects Bid to Re-Launch Airport Expansion. The Press Association Newsfile reports that the British High Court ruled today that British Aerospace cannot resurrect its plan for a commercial airport at historic Filton aerodrome near Bristol, England. The court upheld the joint decision by the former Transport and Environment Secretaries that refused planning permission to develop the 400-acre site after a public inquiry.
Helicopter Noise Near Texas Race-Track Angers Residents; FAA Says Noise is Legal. The Dallas Morning News reports that when the Texas Motor Speedway in Keller, Texas opened last April, some residents and city councillors were worried about potential noise from the racetrack. While noise from the track has not been a problem, residents and officials from Keller, Southlake, and Grapevine complained about excessive helicopter noise after inaugural races in April and again last weekend during the Indy Racing League events. Officials with the Federal Aviation Administration said they will look into the complaints, but maintain they have no legal authority over the helicopter routes.
Residents Angry About Aircraft Noise Over Ohio City. The Plain Dealer reports that residents in northern Parma, Ohio are increasingly angry about noise from the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Last night, about 70 residents brought their complaints before Cleveland officials and Federal Aviation Administration officials.
Citizens Group Goes to Court to Shut Down Manhatten Heliport. The Daily News reports that the Helicopter Noise Coalition of New York City filed papers in the Manhatten Supreme Court yesterday seeking to shut down Manhatten's E. 34th St. heliport, run by National Helicopter Corp., charging that the city has allowed it to operate illegally for years.
Florida Airport Authority Makes Deal to Prohibit Lawsuits From Future Residents. The Sun-Sentinel reports that the Boca Raton (Florida) Airport Authority Thursday approved a $1 million deal that makes it illegal for future residents on a 78-acre parcel of undeveloped land next to the airport's runway to sue the airport due to problems associated with planes flying overhead. The deal, called "avigation" easement, stipulates that future homeowners cannot sue the airport for problems such as noise, vibrations, odors, or vapors. In addition, the airport will have the right to use the airspace over the land parcel without restriction, and this will be written into the deeds.
Los Angeles Agrees to Undertake Freeway Noise Study. The Los Angeles Times reports that the Los Angeles City Council will study noise levels at the Capistrano Garden Homes housing complex in Las Brisas. The study will cost $15,000. Residents have complained for at least six months, after sound walls built as part of an Interstate 5 widening project did not help lower noise.
Burbank Mayor Initiates Talks with Airport Authority over Airport Expansion. The Daily News of Los Angeles reports that Burbank, California Mayor Bob Kramer will begin talks today with Burbank Airport in the hope of reaching a compromise in a long-running feud over airport expansion. But some critics, including one City Councillor, have accused the mayor of trying to compromise just when the city has a chance of winning its legal battle.
Colorado Citizens Group Demands Noise Study for Centennial Airport. The Denver Post reports that the president of a neighborhood organization in Arapahoe County, Colorado is fighting the expansion plans of the Centennial Airport. Joseph Ryan, president of United Citizens of Arapahoe Neighborhoods, said he has 5,000 signed petitions opposing expanding operations and expanding jet sizes at the airport. Ryan said, "We demand a noise study be done. We are mad as hell and we won't take it anymore. We want county commissioners to honor their campaign promises and stand by us."
Commission in Connecticut Town Seeks New Location for Day-Care Center Due to Airport Noise. The Hartford Courant reports that the Suffield, Connecticut Economic Development Commission is requesting a different lot for a proposed day-care center in the town's Mach I Industrial Park due to aircraft noise from Bradley International Airport.
Decision is Due This Summer on St. Louis Airport Expansion. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Federal Aviation Administration will rule this summer on whether the Lambert Airfield near St. Louis, Missouri can proceed with its expansion plan. By July, the FAA is expected to release a final study on the effects of expansion on the surrounding communities. As early as 30 days later, the agency will decide whether to approve or reject the expansion plan for a westward runway at the airport. The article goes on to report on all the details of the expansion plan, including the costs for the various parts of the project. A list of the country's busiest 20 airports is also given.
Florida City Mayor is Commended for Working to Solve Airport Noise Problem. The Orlando Sentinel Tribune reported in an editorial that after residents in Sanford, Florida complained about noise from large jets bringing tourists in from England, a committee formed to resolve the problem tested noise levels and found them to be no louder than a lawn mower, in general. At that point, Mayor Larry Dale got involved in the issue, saying that even though noise levels didn't test significantly high, people's quality of life had been lowered, and the problem must be dealt with. The editorial goes on to describe Mayor Dale's actions and commend him for his work.
Florida Resident Challenges Newspaper to Investigate Aircraft Noise Issue More Thoroughly. The Orlando Sentinel printed the following letter-to-the-editor from Doug McGrigor, a Maitland, Florida resident, regarding noise levels from aircraft at the Orlando Sanford Airport:
Noise and Safety are Both Problems with Orlando Sanford Airport. The Orlando Sentinel printed the following letter-to-the-editor from Edward Thomas, a Lake Mary, Florida resident, regarding noise and safety issues at the Orlando Sanford Airport:
Advisory Noise Committee to Hold its First Meeting in Boca Raton, Florida. The Sun-Sentinel reports that the 17-member Noise Compatibility Advisory Committee in Boca Raton, Florida will meet for the first time on Tuesday. The committee, which consists of pilots, airport officials, city officials, and community representatives, will meet regularly to discuss noise and growth issues at the Boca Raton Airport.
Bangkok Residents Experience High Levels of Noise Pollution; Noise Barriers Reduce Some Traffic Noise. The Bangkok Post reports that in Bangkok (Thailand), where traffic jams are part of daily life, it is hard to escape noise pollution. And for people living near the expressway, escape is impossible, the article says. The article goes on to discuss where noise barriers have been built in the city, and what types are most effective.
Barriers Improve Noise Levels on Kansas Interstate, But Some Residents Don't Like the Walls. The Kansas City Star reports that one year after the Kansas Department of Transportation built the state's first noise barriers on Interstate 435 near Kansas City, many residents living near the Interstate say that noise levels are much improved. Other residents, however, believe the walls are ugly and not that effective.
Festival in Ottawa Should be Subject to Noise Ordinance. The Ottawa Citizen printed the following letter-to-the-editor from John Taylor, an Ottawa resident, about the noise from loud music at the city's Italian Week festival:
Heathrow Airport Officials Pledge Noise Cap and Night Flight Limit if New Terminal is Approved. The Extel Examiner reports that officials of BAA PLC, operator of London's Heathrow Airport, said they will introduce a legally binding noise cap on noise levels around the airport and will not allow the number of night flights to increase if the airport's proposed Terminal 5 is approved. The article says that BAA said in a statement that if Terminal 5 is approved, their pledge "would limit noise levels at the airport to an area no greater than that within the most recent air noise contours published by the government," and that if "the noise level around Heathrow will not get any worse."
Massachusetts City Considers Detailed Noise Ordinance. The Telegram & Gazette reports that the General Government Subcommittee in Southbridge, Massachusetts will review a proposed bylaw tonight designed to prohibit unlawful noise which "annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of any reasonable person, of normal sensitivity, residing in the area." The Town Council must hold three readings on the noise bylaw before voting on its acceptance, the article says.
Nevada Air Tour Operator Speaks Out Against Proposed Grand Canyon Resort. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that a Las Vegas, Nevada air tour executive has said that Arizona business interests and relatives of the U.S. Interior Secretary stand to benefit most from limiting air tour flights over the Grand Canyon. According to the article, Cliff Evarts, chief executive officer of Eagle Canyon Airlines, said at a lunchtime Rotary Club meeting last week that "The issue of Grand Canyon overflights and aircraft noise is not really about noise, nor is it about protecting the environment. Instead, it is about using environmental issues to accomplish various political and economic goals of our neighboring states and about the friends and family of the secretary of the interior wanting to take tourist dollars out of Las Vegas and Southern Nevada."
Seattle Airport Should Get Serious About Noise Problem. The Seattle Times printed the following letter-to-the-editor from June Schumacher, a Seattle resident, about overflight noise from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport:
AST Computer Releases Two Noise-Reducing Personal Computers. M2 Presswire issued a press release from AST Computer which says the company will release two new desktop PCs that use noise-reducing technology on noise from the hard disk and fan.
California City Awarded $1.5 Million for Airport Noise Soundproofing Program. Business Wire reports that the Los Angeles World Airports will award $1.5 million to the City of Ontario, California for implementing a sound insulation project.
California City Gets $9 Million for Airport Noise Mitigation Measures. Business Wire reports that the Board of Airport Commissioners for the Los Angeles International Airport Tuesday awarded a $9.2 million grant to the City of Inglewood, California to insulate homes and acquire property in neighborhoods impacted by aircraft noise.
California Little League Plays Without a PA System After Residents Complain. The Daily News of Los Angeles reports that the baseball leagues that use the Franklin Fields in Encino, California have had a four-week ban placed on their PA system after nearby residents complained about the noise. The ban, which began Wednesday, was imposed by the Army Corps of Engineers, which owns the land. If a league violates the ban, the Army Corps has said it will prohibit the league from using the field for two months.
Chicago Anti-Airport Group Dismisses Mayor's New "Fly Quiet" Plan. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Chicago Mayor Daley, along with airline executives, is scheduled to announce an anti-noise initiative today called the "Fly Quiet" plan. The plan reportedly calls for pilots to fly over non-residential areas during nighttime hours, including industrial parks, railroad tracks, forest preserves, and expressways. But according to the Suburban O'Hare Commission, a group fighting O'Hare Airport expansion, Daley's plan is a ploy to lay the groundwork for new runways.
Florida County Considers Stricter Noise Ordinance. The Tampa Tribune reports that the Pasco County (Florida) Commission will hold a hearing this morning on proposed changes to the existing noise ordinance that would define stricter noise limits and allow sheriff's deputies to issue violations.
German Acoustic Designer Transforms Bothersome Noise Into "Pleasant Sounds". The Deutsche Presse-Agentur reports that Axel Rudolph, an acoustic designer in Cologne, Germany, designs sound systems that change irksome noise into sounds that people prefer to hear. According to Rudolph, noise profoundly influences people's feelings, but the field of acoustic design is in its early stages. The article goes on to outline some of Rudoph's projects and other applications for acoustic design.
Home Depot Store in Boise Takes Measures to Reduce Noise, While City Considers Revoking its Permit. The Idaho Statesman reports that the Boise (Idaho) Planning and Zoning Commission discussed at its meeting Monday whether there was enough evidence to justify revoking the conditional-use permit of a Home Depot store at 1200 N. Milwaukee St., after residents complained about noise from the store. Boise Planning Director Wayne Gibbs said the store is making progress in reducing its noise levels, the article says. No decision was made on the permit, and according to Rinda Just, acting chair of the commission, no revocation would occur until the city attorney's office had studied the issue.
Japanese Lawyers to Lobby U.S. Over Noise from Yokota Air Base. The Japan Economic Newswire reports that a group of Japanese lawyers representing residents near the U.S. Yokota Air Base in Tokyo's western suburbs will visit the United States on Saturday for a nine-day tour to ask U.S. officials to respond to their lawsuit against noise from the air base. A group of Japanese residents named the U.S. government in a lawsuit last year, but Japan's court dismissed the suit in March of this year, saying Japanese jurisdiction doesn't cover the U.S. The plaintiffs have appealed the ruling to the Tokyo High Court, which has continued with the case. U.S. officials told the court last fall that the government would not respond to a lawsuit, because it is not subject to Japanese law.
Maryland Governor Announces Bigger Budgets and Looser Rules for Highway Sound Barriers. The Washington Post reports that Maryland Governor Parris Glendening announced yesterday that the state will provide bigger budgets and looser rules for building noise barriers along highways. The governor's action was prompted by complaints from residents in noisy neighborhoods near highways.
Massachusetts Town Considers Noise Bylaw. The Telegram & Gazette reports that the Southbridge, Massachusetts Town Council General Government subcommittee held a meeting last night to consider a proposed noise bylaw. The subcommittee and several residents who attended the meeting were concerned about excess noise at all times of day, but especially late at night and early in the morning.
New Policy Requires Planes Flying Into San Francisco Airport to Maintain Higher Altitudes. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that a new policy which took effect Sunday requires planes flying into San Francisco International Airport between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. to fly at least 7,000 feet over Woodside, about 1,000 feet higher than required in the previous guideline. The policy comes in response to residents' complaints about early morning noise from aircraft. Meanwhile, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote today on a resolution to allow cities in southern San Mateo County to appoint representatives to the Airport Community Roundtable, a Peninsula group concerned with airport noise and other issues.
Noise Levels at London's Heathrow Airport Are "Capped". The Times reports that BAA, the operator of the Heathrow Airport in London, has proposed that noise levels at the airport be capped at the levels that applied in 1994. The article says the proposal, which would require legislation, is an attempt by BAA to calm noise protests from residents and win approval for a fifth terminal.
Pennsylvania Resident Complains About Highway Noise. The Morning Call printed the following letter-to-the-editor from Robin Serfass, a South Whitehall Township resident, about traffic noise along Route 22:
Residents in New Zealand to Discuss Noise From Proposed Wind Farm. The Dominion reports that residents in Makara, New Zealand who are fighting to oppose a proposed wind farm, have agreed to join an Electricity Corporation working party to address ways to mitigate unwelcome noise.
Sarasota Resident Thinks New Noise Ordinance is Unworkable. The Sarasota Herald-Tribune printed the following letter-to-the-editor from Leslie Freeman, a Sarasota, Florida resident, regarding the city's new noise ordinance. Freeman says the ordinance is unworkable because the decibel limits are too low, and calls on citizens to oppose the 10 p.m. weekday curfew on outdoor music. The letter follows:
Washington City Changes Ordinance to Allow Construction Noise on Saturdays. The Seattle Times reports that the City Council in Bellevue, Washington has approved changes to the city's noise ordinance that will allow construction noise between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. In addition, subcontractors will now be fined up to $250 for making noise during quiet hours. Previously, the article reports, the city charged the general contractor of a project for noise violations.
Wyle Labs Gets $1 Million Contract for Airport-Related Soundproofing Work in Los Angeles. Business Wire reports that the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners Tuesday awarded a $1.17 million contract to Wyle Laboratories of El Segundo, California for services related to the Los Angeles International Airport's soundproofing program. Under the contract, Wyle Labs will provide acoustical and architectural design services for about 600 residences in the Los Angeles communities of Westchester and Playa del Rey.
Airlines Agree to Follow Flight Paths to Reduce Nighttime Jet Noise Over Chicago. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that executives from United and American Airlines serving Chicago's O'Hare Airport agreed Tuesday to follow long-ignored flight paths designed to reduce nighttime jet noise that disturbs suburban residents. The flight paths call for pilots to fly over industrial parks, railroad tracks, forest preserves, and expressways at night. The flight paths are already in place, but according to Aviation Commissioner Mary Rose Loney, they have been "largely ignored due to unawareness." Loney maintains that compliance will increase now that airlines and the unions representing air traffic controllers and pilots have backed the plan.
Builders of Straw Houses and Buildings Say the Structures Insulate Against Noise. The Baltimore Sun reports that builders constructing a farm utility building made of straw in Davidsonville, Maryland, in rural Anne Arundel County, say straw buildings have many advantages, one of which is insulation against noise.
Chicago Mayor's New Program to Address O'Hare Airport Noise Doesn't Satisfy Critics. The Chicago Tribune reports that Chicago Mayor Richard Daley announced Tuesday a cooperative venture to quiet nighttime jet noise around O'Hare International and Midway Airports. The mayor was joined by Arlington Heights Mayor Arlene Mulder, who is also chair of the O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission. But other suburbanites interpreted Daley's move as a precursor to airport expansion, and said the initiative is an old, unworkable plan with a new name.
Homeowners Shut Down Little League PA System in California City. The Los Angeles Times reports that the Army Corps of Engineers -- which is responsible for enforcing noise rules in the Sepulveda Basin in Encino, California -- temporarily prohibited the use of a public address system that has neighbors complaining. The system exceeds the local 60-decibel limit for noise.
House near Los Angeles Airport to be Used as Model of Soundproofing. The Los Angeles Times reports that the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners plans to buy a house at the end of a Los Angeles International Airport runway to use as a demonstration for its soundproofing program.
Legal Worries Complicate Passage of Florida County Noise Ordinance. The St. Petersburg Times reports that the Pasco County (Florida) Commission and sheriff's office have been trying to create and pass a noise ordinance to respond to frequent noise complaints, but have been delayed by legal worries about whether the ordinance would hold up in court.
Judge Rules Against City of Burbank in Airport Expansion Fight. The Los Angeles Times reports that Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Emilie Elias Wednesday dismissed a request by the City of Burbank (California) for an injunction blocking Burbank Airport's proposed new terminal.
Missouri Transportation Department Decides to Test Noise Levels on Interstate. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Missouri Department of Transportation is planning to conduct noise-level testing along the eastern side of Interstate 270 between St. John's Mercy Medical Center and DeSmet High School in Creve Coeur, to determine whether a sound wall should be built between the highway and neighboring homes. The agency decided to undertake the testing after receiving a letter from Sen. Betty Sims (R-Ladue) requesting the test on behalf of her constituents.
Ohio Official Tries to Get Action on Amphitheater Noise Complaints, But Gets Nowhere. The Columbus Dispatch reports that Don Wuertz, president of the Delaware County (Ohio) Commission, tried to respond to residents' complaints about noise from the Polaris Amphitheater Tuesday night, but could get no action from Columbus police. Wuertz says that the amphitheater has not been a good neighbor, and the city of Columbus is ignoring complaints of the residents who live near it.
Pittsburgh Airport Runway Repairs Results in Angry Protests About Noise From Residents. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that as a result of new, temporary flight patterns due to runway repairs at the Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) International Airport, hundreds of residents in Moon Township have complained about the jet noise. Officials in Moon Township said they have received nearly 200 phone complaints about noise, and nearly 100 residents turned up at last week's Moon supervisors meeting demanding that Allegheny County do something to stop the noise.
Residents and Officials Decry the Noisy Skies Over New York's Kennedy Airport. Newsday reports that air traffic noise from New York City's Kennedy Airport is again becoming a public policy issue. Residents in Queens and Rockaway are once again pressuring the Federal Aviation Administration to do something about the noise.
Wisconsin Town Board Tells Resident They Can't Regulate Lawn Mower Noise. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that Village Board members in Brown Deer, Wisconsin told a resident Monday they don't believe they have the power to restrict lawn mower noise. The resident, Jerry Freidenfeld, had asked the board to help him turn down the noise on the volume of the lawn mowers used by some of his neighbors.
Airplane Interior Customizing Company at California Airport Considers Expansion; Residents Angry at Possibility of More Jet Noise. The Daily News of Los Angeles reports that UNC Corp.'s Jet Center is considering setting up a "completion center" to customize the interiors of new Boeing 737 business jets at the Van Nuys (California) Airport. Supporters of the idea say the new business would be a boon for the airport, but residents who are already upset about noise from existing jets are outraged. The issue comes at a time when a Federal Aviation Administration study of noise at Van Nuys and a city master development plan for the airport are bogged down in political fights between the interests in and around the airport, the article says.
Florida City Outlaws Ice Cream Truck Noise. The Palm Beach Post reports in an editorial that noise from ice cream trucks is against the law in Boca Raton, Florida. The editorial writer goes on to lament that ice cream trucks have had their friendly bells and music taken away, and to say that silent ice cream trucks are ridiculous.
Illinois City Passes Ordinance to Quiet Outdoor Music. The Chicago Tribune reports that the City Council in Batavia, Illinois has approved changes to the current municipal code aimed at quieting outdoor music.
Noise Pollution is Everywhere. The Providence Journal-Bulletin reports in an editorial that an average day is a day of "audio assault," whether you live in the city or the country. The editorial writer discusses some of the noises that constitute "outrageous invasions," and cause stress, fright, heart disease, and violence.
Parents in Wales to Sue Ministry of Defense over Damage to Children's Hearing From Low-Flying Military Jets. The Guardian reports that a group of parents in Wales is planning to sue Great Ministry of Defense over their children's hearing problems which they blame on low-flying military jets. The parents are submitting research conducted in conjunction with the Federal Environmental Agency in Germany, which has found a link between low flying aircraft and hearing impairments.
Residents Oppose Expansion Plan at Colorado Airport. The Rocky Mountain News reports that a hearing was held before the Arapahoe County (Colorado) Public Airport Authority board Thursday to consider changes in operation for Centennial Airport. In response to the proposed changes, which could lead to larger aircraft and expanded cargo and passenger service operations, a standing-room only crowd of residents said they opposed the changes.
British Judge Halts Construction Project Because Noise Interferes with Court Proceedings. The Mirror reports that British Circuit Court Judge Patrick Moran yesterday halted a 3-million-pound building project because construction was interfering with court proceedings. The article says the construction company, Sisk and Co., are refurbishing the 150-year-old Courthouse in Washington Street. The judge warned the builders they would have to pay legal costs if the case had to be dismissed because the jury could not hear, the article says.
Indianapolis Airport Proposes New Noise Mitigation Programs. The Indianapolis Star reports that the Indianapolis (Indiana) International Airport has proposed new noise programs designed to provide relief to residents. The proposals include soundproofing and buying homes southwest of the airport, and in areas less affected by noise, providing some compensation for homeowners unable to sell their homes at appraised values. In addition, the proposals include having departing planes change the times when they turn toward their destination, which could lessen noise impacts.
Florida City Buys Land Parcel to Buffer Homeowners from Traffic Noise. The Sun-Sentinel reports that the City Commission in Deerfield Beach, Florida has agreed to puchase a two-acre parcel of land for $250,000 to buffer homeowners from noise and traffic along Southwest 10th Street. The agreement came after years of complaints about traffic noise from residents in the Waterford Homes subdivision, and lobbying by City Commissioner Kathy Shaddow. The new parcel borders the Waterford City Park and will be added to the park, the article says.
Ford Tests its New Cars for Squeaks and Rattles. The Plain Dealer reports that in its most recent pre-production review of the 1996 Taurus, Ford tested every car that came off the line for squeaks, rattles, and other noises. Ford's "squeak-and-rattle team" was made up of two engineers, two Ford College Graduate Program trainees, and two assembly plant workers, and their goal was to make every car completely silent.
Noise Pollution is a Growing Problem in Great Britain. The Independent reports that neighborhood noise has become a serious problem in Great Britain. Noise is the now most common reason for complaints received by environmental health officers, the article says. A two-part program on Radio Five Live called "Noises Off," starting tonight, will draw attention to noise issues.
Queens Residents in an Uproar Over Proposal to Add 30 Daily Flights to LaGuardia Airport. The Daily News reports that residents and public officials in New York City's Queens borough are alarmed and angry at requests by three low-fare airlines to add 30 daily flights in and out of the busy LaGuardia Airport. Opponents of the proposal have been writing letters to U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater, asking him to reject the requests from ValuJet, AirTran, and Frontier Airlines.
Roosters Turn up in Upscale Neighborhood and Annoy Residents. The Record reports that roosters have been returning to a neighborhood in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey for the past couple of years after swallows return to Capistrano. Some residents of the upscale neighborhood want the roosters out of their area, while others don't mind the noisy birds.
Noise Pollution Increasing as a Health Issue; Noise Problems Continue to Surface in California. The Daily News of Los Angeles reports that noise pollution is increasingly seen as a health issue by physicians and experts. The article also reports that around California's San Fernando Valley, noise issues continue to surface, and residents continue to complain about noise problems. Finally, the article presents a list of various decibel levels, and common noises associated with each level.
Regulating Noise in Florida County is as Hard as Banning Strip Bars. The St. Petersburg Times reports in a humorous editorial that the attempt by Pasco County (Florida) to come up with a way to regulate noise has turned out to be nearly impossible. The writer compares the attempt to define and enforce a noise ordinance with earlier attempts to close down strip bars.
Town in New York Undertakes Effort to Find Money to Mitigate Airport Noise. The Buffalo News reports that officials in Cheektowaga, New York have renewed interest in finding grant money to help soundproof homes and buildings severely affected by jet noise from the Greater Buffalo International Airport. As the airport prepares to complete a new airport terminal, which raises the possibility of more air traffic, officials say this is an appropriate time to seek solutions to the problem.
Idaho County Should Revise Noise Ordinance. The Idaho Statesman reports in an editorial that Ada County's new noise ordinance should be revised to be more flexible, but fair and strict at the same time. The shortcomings of the ordinance were obvious, the editorial says, during a recent outdoor concert and baseball game.
Neighborhood Group and Local Illinois City Police Work Together to Enforce Anti-Noise Law. The Chicago Tribune reports that an effort in Aurora, Illinois to enforce a noise ordinance directed at blaring stereos from vehicles has combined the forces of the Near West Side Neighborhood Association with community police officers. Under "Operation Boombox," as the effort is called, residents in the neighborhood group use two-way radios to notify nearby squad cars if they hear a blaring vehicle stereo, allowing police officers to arrive quickly at the scene and determine whether a violation has occurred. If so, officers can impound the vehicle, the article says.
FAA Says New Runway at New Orleans Airport Could be Built at an Angle to Reduce Noise Pollution; Residents Remain Unconvinced. The Times-Picayune reports that a new study by the Federal Aviation Administration shows that New Orleans International Airport could angle its proposed north-south runway away from neighborhoods in Kenner to reduce the noise impact, yet still handle enough traffic to make the project feasible. The FAA is using the New Orleans study to develop national standards for near-parallel runway alignment, which could help planners throughout the U.S. deal with problems to airport expansions, such as land availability and noise issues. Meanwhile, residents living in Kenner seemed unimpressed with the FAA's new idea, and said they still oppose a new runway.
New Waterfall Along Waterfront in Washington City Designed to Muffle Traffic Noise. The Seattle Times reports that an 11- foot-high, man-made waterfall and stream will be added to the waterfront area in Kirkland, Washington as part of a condominium development. The waterfall project will form a new park, and has been designed to muffle traffic noise.
Idaho County to Decide on Exemption to Noise Law Involving Sporting Events and Fairs. The Idaho Statesman reports that Ada County (Idaho) Commissioners will hold a special meeting today to vote on an amendment to the county's noise ordinance that would allow regularly scheduled sporting events and fairs to be exempt from the regulations. The noise ordinance was passed in early June, and prohibits noise that is plainly audible from 100 feet of the source between 10 p.m and 7 a.m. Already exempted from the ordinance are emergency sirens, trains, planes, and authorized fireworks displays. If approved, the new exemption would allow the Boise Hawks Stadium to continue to use their PA system after 10 p.m.
Illinois City Considers Extending Nighttime Noise Ordinance to Businesses. The Chicago Tribune reports that the Aurora (Illinois) City Council Government Operations Committee is considering extending a nighttime noise prohibition that now applies to homes, to cover businesses adjacent to residential areas.
Maryland Residents and Boaters Fight at Hearing on State Boat Noise Restrictions. The Capital reports that at a hearing on state boat noise regulations last night held by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in Annapolis, about 60 riverside residents and power-boaters split two sides of the room and began arguing with each other rather than commenting on noise limits and inspections scheduled to become permanent in August.
U.S. House Subcommittee Approves Continuing Ban on Building Sixth Runway at Denver Airport. The Rocky Mountain News reports that the transportation subcommittee of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee Wednesday approved a renewed ban on the federal funding for the proposed sixth runway at Denver International Airport. If approved by the full Congress, the ban would remain in place through September 1998, the article says. The vote was a victory for noise critics, who have maintained that the runway should not be built until the airport can control the noise pollution it already emits.
California Valley Residents Debate Jet Flight Proposal. The Daily News of Los Angeles printed the following letters-to-the-editor from residents in Van Nuys and Encino, California regarding jet noise from the Van Nuys Airport:
Chicago's New "Fly Quiet" Program Designed to Get Pilots to Comply With Noise Abatement Procedures. The Chicago Tribune reports in an editorial that although Chicago has had noise abatement procedures in place for years for flights at O'Hare International and Midway Airports, some airline pilots and air-traffic controllers have not been following the procedures, having other priorities on their minds. The editorial says that now, due to the intervention of Mayor Richard Daley and his new commissioner of aviation and their "Fly Quiet" program, the airlines may actually come around and follow the procedures.
Florida County's Comprehensive Plan Sets Noise Contours Which Could be Federally Pre-Empted. The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports that the Manatee County (Florida) government is in the process of updating its comprehensive plan, and it intends to include noise restrictions for the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport that are based on current technology and economic conditions. However, the article reports that the airport's attorney said if those conditions change, the airport and county could find themselves in a legal entanglement about who has jurisdiction over aircraft noise.
California City to Consider Limits to Leaf-Blowers in Response to a Pastor's Campaign Against Them. The Los Angeles Times reports that church pastor Jim Bain of Oxnard, California has launched a campaign against leaf-blowers, saying the machines plague asthmatics and emit ear-splitting noise. Bain has collected about 65 signatures on an anti-leaf-blower petition, and in response to the issue, the Oxnard City Council will discuss restricting leaf-blowers at a meeting Tuesday.
Outdoor Enthusiast Champions Victory for Failed Helicopter Tour Scheme on a British Isle. The Daily Telegraph printed an editorial in which the writer celebrates the victory over a proposal to run sightseeing flights over Skye, an island in the Hebrides off Scotland's northwest coast. The writer says the noise from the tour flights would have destroyed "one of the last wild sanctuaries of silence" in Britain.
Residents Along Florida Interstate Get Three Miles of Noise Barriers; Landscaping Options Around Barriers are Explored. The Florida Times-Union reports that about three miles of noise barriers are being erected in Jacksonville, Florida along sections of Interstate 95 as part of a project to widen the interstate by one lane on each side. The article goes on to outline how the areas surrounding the noise barriers will be or could be landscaped to mitigate their ugliness, and to report that many residents are already pleased with the outcome of the reduced traffic noise.
Ban on Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers in Los Angeles Set to Start Despite Protests from Gardeners. The Daily News of Los Angeles reports that an ordinance banning gas-powered leaf blowers will take effect Tuesday in Los Angeles, despite increasing pressure from gardeners to call off the ban. A group of Latino gardeners plans to stage a nine-hour sit-in / protest in front of City Hall on the first day of the new ordinance. Meanwhile, the City Council is set to consider a proposal that would exempt gas-powered leaf vacuums from the ordinance, even though they produce the same noise levels.
Maryland Considers Permanent State Regulations for Watercraft Decibel Levels on State Waterways. The Washington Post reports that after a Maryland state law designed to quiet waterways passed last year, temporary regulations went into effect last summer that restricted noise levels on state waters and made it easier for the rules to be enforced. Now, the state Department of Natural Resources wants to make those regulations permanent, and residents and boaters are once again in conflict, the article reports. The issue is especially important for residents and boaters on South River, the article says.
Nuns in Colorado Move their Abbey Due to Noise and Development. The Dallas Morning News reports that the 22 nuns at the Abbey of St. Walburga near Boulder, Colorado have decided to move their abbey because of the noise and development that now surround their once-rural home. The article says the nuns are building a new abbey on a donated plot of land near the Colorado-Wyoming border, about a two-hour drive north from their current location.
Residents in New York Town Complain About Noise From New Warning Sirens. Newsday reports that two new sirens in the Bay Park area of Hempstead, New York were installed to warn residents of hurricanes or disasters at the nearby Nassau County sewage plant, but homeowners who live near the sirens say the sirens' piercing wails are too loud. Until recently, the sirens went off every noon and during fire calls in other neighborhoods.
Company Releases New Anti-Noise Headset for Computer Use. Newsday reports that Andrea Electronics, based in Long Island City, New York, has introduced a new anti-noise stereo headset for the computer market, the QuietWare 1000 PC stereo headset. According to the company, the product is the first in a new line of peripherals designed to enhance voice-driven PC and Internet applications. The article also reports that the new headset uses Andrea Anti-Noise Active Noise Cancellation microphone technology, and QuietWare Active Noise Reduction headphone technology.
Missouri City Studies Legal Options to Fight Airport Expansion. The St. Louis Business Journal reports that the St. Charles (Missouri) City Council is considering its legal options in opposing expansion plans for Lambert St. Louis International Airport. Council members are worried that the W-1W expansion plan which has been submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration for approval will send more low-flying planes over St. Charles. Although the council appears to be preparing for a legal battle, council members said they also are keeping lines of communication open and trying to reach an agreement on noise abatement with airport authorities.
Residents Drop Lawsuit Against Indianapolis Airport After Soundproofing Agreement Reached. The Indianapolis Business Journal reports that a group of residents in Plainfield, Indiana has dropped its lawsuit over airport noise after the Indianapolis Airport Authority agreed to include the residents' homes in a new noise-reduction program. The agreement stipulates that the authority will pay to soundproof homes in the Cottonwood Court subdivision, but if residents are still bothered by the noise, the authority would purchase their homes and try to resell them.
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