Tulsa airport noise program winding down

Nov. 15, 2012

Nov. 15-- A 13-year $72.5 million aircraft noise mitigation program at Tulsa International Airport is on final approach after addressing noise levels in 1,711 properties, airport executives said.

The noise insulation construction programs have been completed in neighborhoods south of the airport, officials said, and flyover easement and sales assistance payments disbursed to property owners who elected not to participate in the noise insulation work.

Forty-one property owners decided not to participate in the program at all, airport executives said.

Five properties where acoustic surveys found the worst noise levels were acquired, the buildings razed and the land rezoned for commercial or industrial use.

"Before we close it out, we have final (contractor) payments to make," said Jeff Hough, deputy airports director of engineering and facilities. "We finished the last group of 33 homes in August. From the time the construction is completed, there is a one-year warranty on workmanship and materials."

It's been a lengthy, controversial and expensive program, airport executives and participants said.

Some property owners wanted out of the program; some sued, unsuccessfully, to be included.

The local noise mitigation program is part of a national effort to address aircraft noise that is winding down as a result of advanced and quieter aircraft engine technology, officials say.

Federal acoustic studies in the late-1990s found airport neighborhoods southwest, south and southeast of the 10,000-foot main north-south runway experience aircraft noise levels of more than 65 decibels.

Noise levels of 65 decibels are equivalent to the sound experienced by a person standing next to a busy freeway, Environmental Protection Agency experts say.

The "Noise Exposure and Land Use Compatibility Program" evolved out of Federal Aviation Regulation, Part 150, and related provisions of section 104(a) of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979, which sought to minimize the negative effects of aircraft operations on adjacent properties.

Under the program, property owners in the 65-decibel areas had three options:

--Sound insulation of homes, schools and churches at an average recent cost of between $20,000 and $25,000, 95 percent of which is paid by Federal Aviation Administration grants paired with 5 percent local matching funds;

--A sales assistance program that compensated property owners at an average of $20,000 to $25,000 for the impaired value of properties, and,

--A monetary payment of $2,500 for flyover easements.

"The program is targeted toward homes, schools and churches," Hough said. "All businesses are considered compatible with the airport."

Of the 1,711 properties in the 65-decibel noise contour, 1,484 property owners elected the sound insulation option; 118 chose the flyover easement; 63 wanted the sales assistance program and 41 opted out of any of the alternatives. Five properties were acquired.

"Early on in the program, we expected 80 to 100 property owners, or 5 percent, wouldn't take advantage of any of the three options," Hough said. "But 41 home-owners, or 2.4 percent of the total, opted not to take any of the three options."

Over the course of the program, construction and administrative costs have declined from $35,000 to $40,000 per property to the mid-$20,000 range, airport executives said.

The lower costs are a result of more efficient administration and construction, as well as lower construction bids due to the recession, officials said.

"It's been a great program for the benefit of the people around the airport and their quality of life," Hough said. "We are glad to have this program closed out so we can move on to other things."

Airport noise program helped 1,711 properties

Tulsa International Airport's aircraft noise mitigation program, 2000-2012

Total estimated program cost: $72.5 million

Options: noise insulation, sales assistance, flyover easement, property purchase or opt out

Properties eligible: 1,711 residences, schools and churches

Options chosen:

--1,484 residences sound insulated

--118 residences with flyover easements

--63 properties with sales assistance

--41 properties opted out

--5 properties purchased, buildings razed and rezoned commercial or industrial

Source: Tulsa Airport Authority

D.R. Stewart 918-581-8451

[email protected]

Copyright 2012 - Tulsa World, Okla.