In 1996 the State Legislature made the decision to expand the MSP Airport at its current location instead of building a new airport at a more remote location, saving the state more than $2 billion. As part of the airport’s expansion plans, a new North/South (N/S) Runway is being constructed just two blocks from existing homes in Richfield. The 8,000 foot runway's revised completion date is late 2005. This is the closest that any similar runway has been constructed near existing neighborhoods.

The N/S Runway will have 300-400 landings and takeoffs each day. The average aircraft takeoff and landing noise events last about 45 seconds, compared to aircraft overflight noise which lasts an average of 15 seconds.

The N/S Runway will produce significant noise impacts. According to the findings of the Low Frequency Noise Policy Committee Report, the existing homes and apartments in the 87 dB low frequency sound level (LFSL) noise contour can expect to experience low frequency noise and resulting shaking, rattling and vibrations from aircraft operations that will make their homes uninhabitable.

Studies by national noise experts show that single family homes located this close to a runway are not compatible with airport operations. Based on this situation, the City of Richfield sought more information about Low Frequency Noise and its potential impacts on the community..

What is Low Frequency Noise?

• LFN is the thunder-like rumbling produced from jet aircraft engines.

• LFN occurs during taxiing, takeoffs and landings - when thrust reversers are used to reduce speed.

• The primary effect of low frequency aircraft noise on residences near runway sidelines is annoyance due to "secondary emissions": rattling noises and vibrations of windows, doors and household paraphernalia.

• The Federal Interagency Committee on Noise (FICON) recognizes annoyance as the best indication of adverse community reaction to aircraft noise.

• Although A-weighted noise metrics are the measurements currently used in federal noise standards for analyzing overflight noise, the A-weighting metric does not adequately predict impacts of low frequency noise. (The A-weighting network is very insensitive to sound energy at low frequencies – below 100 Hz - and, therefore, not a good predictor of the impacts of low frequency noise.)

• C-weighted metrics better measure the human reaction to low frequency noise. However, the preferred descriptor of low frequency aircraft noise is the sum of the maximum sound levels in the 25-80 Hz one-third octave bands (Low Frequency Sound Level - LFSL) during individual aircraft noise events.

• Normal sound insulation methods for high frequency overflight noise are ineffective for low frequency noise. LFN reduction in residences can only be achieved by major modifications to the structure of the homes. (i.e. adding a heavy layer – stucco or brick - to the outside or inside).

• Noise experts have determined that there are no economically or practically feasible mitigation treatments for homes in areas with LFSL values in excess of 87 dB.

During 1997, in response to the State’s decision to expand the airport at its current location and to prepare for the anticipated noise impacts, the City developed a noise mitigation plan. The noise mitigation plan was developed through the leadership and efforts of the City’s Planning Commission with the help of an outside planning consultant.

The City held a series of open houses and public hearings for community members to solicit input for the development of the mitigation plan. The plan was approved by the City Council in June 1998.

The plan’s key components were:

• To convert the primarily single family residential neighborhoods to more airport compatible uses (i.e. commercial, office, retail) through redevelopment.

• To build larger, denser structures to block the noise.

• To include higher density housing (townhomes) to serve as a transition/buffer and to replace lost housing.

December 1998

MAC and Richfield reached an agreement regarding mitigation for the North/South Runway. The two entities agreed to work together to seek funding for the redevelopment of the noise impacted area. Elements of the agreement included:

• An agreement by the City not to pursue any environmental legal challenge to the runway’s construction.

• Acknowledgement by the MAC that low frequency noise is a potentially significant environmental impact.

• Commitment of $30 million in MAC funding for Richfield to use towards implementing the mitigation plan and MAC’s assistance in identifying additional funding resources.

• The establishment of the Low Frequency Noise Policy Committee to produce a report on the impacts of low frequency noise and recommended methods to mitigate. The scope of this study, completed in August 2000, is bigger than any other study undertaken by the FAA and will be incorporated into the Part 150 Update.

1999 MN Legislature

• Identified a 50-block area in the eastern portion of Richfield requiring land use conversion because of the unique and significant noise impacts created by the new North/South Runway. Hereafter referred to as the Airport Impact Zone.

• Required the MAC to issue $30 million in bonds to fund noise mitigation efforts in Richfield.

• Created a Governor’s Task Force to recommend ways to fund low frequency noise mitigation in communities around the airport based on the findings of the Low Frequency Noise Policy Committee. The Task Force consisted of representatives from:

• Governor’s office

• Minneapolis Community Development Agency

• Metropolitan Airports Commission

• Cities of Burnsville, Richfield, Bloomington & Eagan

• Federal Aviation Administration

• Department of Finance

• Metropolitan Council

• Department of Trade & Economic Development

February 1999

The Low Frequency Noise Policy Committee began to meet.

• The Committee consisted of one representative each from the cities of Richfield, Bloomington and Minneapolis and one representative from the MAC.

• A three-member Expert Panel was chosen to conduct the studies and research. One member was appointed by Richfield, one by the MAC and an independent consultant was chosen by the two appointees.

Summer 1999

The FAA issues a decision that jeopardizes the approximately $60 million in MAC funding commitments to Richfield. ($30 million from the Richfield-MAC Agreement and $30 million in MAC bonding directed by the State).

The FAA contends that MAC funding of Richfield’s redevelopment constitutes "revenue diversion" and refuses to allow the MAC to release the funds.

Fall 1999

The 1999 Federal Transportation Appropriations Bill, signed by President Clinton, includes language designed to move the issue of LFN to the forefront of the FAA’s agenda. The language, authored by Minnesota Congressman Martin Sabo, recognizes "that the issue of low frequency airport noise is increasingly of concern in residential neighborhoods near the nation’s airports." The language urges "the FAA to expedite efforts to research and define the problem, and to develop low frequency noise mitigation policies that appropriately address low frequency airport noise impacts on residential neighborhoods."

• City officials and community members lobby the MAC, State and Federal officials to obtain the $60 million in committed MAC funds.

January 2000

The City hosts a series of open houses to inform the community about and receive feedback on a draft Master Plan Concept for the Airport Impact Area - based on the previously approved noise mitigation plan.

The Master Plan Concept enables the community to be in a position to pursue redevelopment once funding is secured.

The goals & objectives of the plan are:

• Protect residents’ investments in their homes.
• Minimize population losses.
• Ensure that there is no loss of park space within the redevelopment area.
• Develop a bikepath and major greenway system.
• Increase, or at least preserve, Richfield’s employment and tax base.
• Control commercial traffic in the area.
• Ensure resident involvement in the area planning.

The Governor’s Task Force presented its report on funding recommendations for low frequency noise mitigation to the 2000 Legislature.

March 2000

The City receives an unprecedented letter from the FAA:

• The FAA acknowledges that it is appropriate for the City and MAC to work together on a plan to mitigate low frequency noise impacts using non-federal funds.

• Acquisition within the 60 and 65 DNL is deemed an acceptable mitigation measure.

• The MAC can decide that acquisition of residential properties, rather than sound insulation, be used as the method of noise mitigation.

• The City can retain ownership of the acquired properties as long as the MAC is reimbursed.

April 2000

The Low Frequency Noise Expert Panel releases its majority report. The Policy Committee finishes meeting and finalizes its own report.

2000 MN Legislature

Appropriated $5 million to Richfield to use towards the acquisition of residential properties and site preparation in the most negatively impacted areas in East Richfield.

The $5 million will allow the City to acquire approximately 20-30 single family homes.   There are over 200 homes in the 87 dB low frequency noise contour.

September 2000

The Low Frequency Noise Policy Committee’s final report receives approval from the MAC and the City of Richfield and is forwarded to the FAA for its review. The report is also included in the MAC’s Part 150 Update document.

October 2000

Representative Sabo was successful in getting $10 million included in the Federal Transportation Appropriations Bill for noise mitigation measures in Richfield.

December 2000

Twenty-four single family homes along 18^th Ave., north of 66^th Street, were purchased as part of the first acquisition phase in the airport mitigation area. The homes were purchased using the $5 million grant from the 2000 legislature.

2001

The City's efforts to secure additional state funding to continue residential acquisition in the 87 dB low frequency noise contour were unsuccessful.  The 2001 special legislative session ended with no new money allocated to Richfield for airport noise mitigation.  A total of 26 homes were purchased with the 2000 Legislature's appropriation of $5 million for noise mitigation.  Those houses are in the process of being removed from the area.  The land will be regraded and seeded.  Redevelopment of a more airport compatible use is planned when a large enough parcel of land is assembled.  The City and MAC staff worked cooperatively to develop a strategy to use  $10 million in federal funds secured by Congressman Sabo. The acquisition of 22 single family homes on the 6600 and 6700 blocks of 18th Avenue, and, with remaining funds, the apartment buildings on Cedar Avenue, north of 66th Street, has been approved by the Richfield City Council.  The process will commence in early 2002.

The Master Plan Concept, presented to the community in January 2000, is no longer a basis for acquisition and redevelopment due to the findings of the Low Frequency Noise Policy Committee and the lack of funds.

2002

The City received $10 million through the efforts of Congressman Sabo to continue acquisition of residential properties adversely impacted by the expansion of the airport.  Twenty-two single family homes on the 6600 and 6700 blocks of 18th Avenue were identified for acquisition under the agreement developed jointly by the City of Richfiedl and the MAC.  Up to five apartment buildings located on Cedar Avenue, north of 66th Street were also included for acquisition with any remaining funds.  Limitations placed on these funds precluded the acquisition of any homes that had already been insulated under the Part 150 Sound Insulation Program.   Acquisition of the properties began in 2002 and will be completed in 2003.

Future Action

The City will continue to seek state and federal funds to continue property acquisition in the 87 dB contour.  If money becomes available, the City's first priority is finish acquiring the homes north of 66th Street along the rest of 18th Avenue, 17th Avenue, and the east side of 16th Avenue.  Also of high priority is the east side of the 6800 block of Cedar Avenue.  The City hopes to redevelop the area to more airport compatible uses and is actively discussing possibilities with a developer.