REMINDER: The first in a series of public workshops for Sea-Tac Airport’s “Part 150 Noise Study” is scheduled for Wednesday night (Feb. 24th) at Mount Rainier High School in Des Moines beginning at 5:15pm.

So if you have something to say about airport noise, this would be the place to air your thoughts and hope that the Port of Seattle hears you.

Doors open at 5pm, with the program beginning at 5:15pm.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Public workshop for Sea-Tac Airport’s “Part 150 Noise Study” program

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 24th beginning at 5:15pm.

WHERE: Mt. Rainier High School, located at 22450 19th Ave South in Des Moines.

INFO: From a press release:

Are you bothered by airport noise?

Do you have specific questions you’d like answered related to airport noise?

If the answer to either of these questions is yes, please consider attending the Part 150 workshop at Mount Rainier High School (22450 19th Avenue South Des Moines, WA) on Wednesday Feb 24 from 5 to 7 pm.

“Part 150″ is an FAA regulation that provides for airport operators, such as the Port of Seattle which owns and operates Seatac airport, to study ways of reducing airport noise. Part 150 studies are a two year process, with five or six workshops . The Feb 24 meeting is the kickoff for a new Part 150 study, the last Part 150 study wrapped up in 2001.

The “hope” of a Part 150 study is that the airport operator will then actually implement some of these ways of reducing noise. So how do we turn hope into reality? The answer is: citizen involvement and action.

At the first workshop on Feb 24, the Port and its consultant, Landrum and Brown, are committed to listening to citizen requests for what they would like to have included in the study.

So:

1. Please attend the workshop, and bring a neighbor too. (but if you can’t make this time, which is definitely inconvenient for many people, there’s an alternative below).

2. Please bring your questions in written form.

• We anticipate the workshop will include small group breakouts of 15 to 25 minutes. The “facilitators” are not likely to have time for all questions.

So, it is really important to bring written questions. With your written questions:

• Please include your name and mailing address
• Please ask for a written response within 30 days
• Please feel free to send a copy via email or mail to RCAA, the Regional Commission on Airport Affairs.

RCAA is funded by local governments as a resource for airport – related issues. RCAA is tracking the questions citizens are asking as a part of a project monitoring the Part 150 process. There have been times when questions asked of the Port did not get a satisfactory answer. If you put your questions in writing, cc them to RCAA, and send the responses to RCAA as well, there is a much higher chance no one’s questions will fall through the cracks.

RCAA can be reached by email at rcaanews@earthlink.net or by mail at:

19900 4th Ave SW
Normandy Park, WA 98166

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For more information about Part 150 and the workshops:

–The RCAA blog will have periodic updates. The web address is:

http://latestnewsonairportaffairs.blogspot.com/

It is linked to from the main RCAA web site, at www.rcaanews.org

Note RCAA will be posting some topic areas on the blog you may want to consider for your questions.

The Port of Seattle has a Part 150 web page. The address is:

http://www.airportsites.net/SEA-Part150/

Also remember the Port has a noise incident report form online, available here:

http://www.portseattle.org/about/contact/noisecomment.shtml

Read our previous coverage of this issue here.

Not to cause confusion or anything, but there’s a second, very important public meeting coming up Thursday, Jan. 8th regarding Sea-Tac Airport’s third runway (another residents meeting is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 10th):

The Highline Forum will discuss the use of Sea-Tac Airport’s new third runway since its opening, with emphasis on public complaints that the runway is not being used as promised on Thursday, Jan. 8th, from 2pm to 4pm. This public meeting will take place at the Sea-Tac Airport Conference Center, Mezzanine Level.

Everyone is invited to attend, especially residents who might have comments or complaints on the third runway.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Final Highline Forum and Port of Seattle Public Comment Period

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 8th; 2-3pm: Highline Forum; 3-4pm: Port of Seattle Public Comment Period

WHERE: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Conference Center, Mezzanine Level

AGENDA: 2pm Welcome & Introduction of Topic Co-chairs

Meeting Topic: The Highline Forum will discuss the use of the third runway since its opening. In particular, the Highline Forum will address public complaints that the runway is not being used as promised.

• Data depicting how the runway has operated to date Mark Reis, POS
• EIS assumptions for predicting use and impacts Mark Reis, POS
• Current usage of runway Mark Reis, POS
• 2:30 pm Questions & Answers Highline Forum
• 3:00 pm Forum Adjourns & Opening of Port Public Comment Period
• 4:00 pm Port Public Comment Period Ends

DIRECTIONS: Directions to the Airport Conference Center:

• Park in daily parking (floors 5-8) at the south end of the Airport Garage near the yellow or green elevators (rows N-U).
• Take the elevator to the fourth floor and walk across the skybridge #1, between the yellow elevator bank and the green elevator bank, to the Main Terminal.
• Take the escalator or elevator up to the ticketing level.
• The stairs and elevator to the Mezzanine Level are directly behind the international and Hawaiian Airlines ticket counters.
• Enter the reception area though the double glass doors for the Aviation Division Offices.
• The receptionist will direct you to the right conference room. Ask for parking validation (you never know).

From our sister site The B-Town Blog comes this story, which definitely affects citizens of White Center:

Since we first posted this story (on Monday, Nov. 24th) regarding area residents complaints about increased noise from Sea-Tac Airports newly-opened third runway, we’ve received numerous emails, comments and even phone calls about it.

We can safely say that the third runway noise problem is not fading away.

In fact, it only seems to be getting LOUDER, which means that we’ll be covering this story for as long as it’s a story.

We will be meeting with a representative of the Port of Seattle next week, so stay tuned for their viewpoint.

We’ll also be interviewing other residents and experts, which will include videotaping, photographing and doing our own decibel level checks as well, then continuing to post new updates as they come in.

And as always, if you have an opinion, complaint, anecdote, factoid or hot tip, please email us directly, call us during business hours at (206) 248-2565, or post a Comment below this story.

In the meantime, here are some letters we received from some of the people being affected first-hand:

We live in South Park and are definitely experiencing increased noise from planes which now pass much closer to our home since the 3rd runway opened. The noise is problematic now in terms of waking us up at times, and in making it difficult to talk on the phone or listen to the radio–and it’s not even windows-open season yet.

What are the implications of particulate and other emissions for those of us now experiencing low-altitude flights directly overhead?

Thanks,
Alan Puckett

I used to live off of 128th and des moines memorial blvd, right under the flight path. If you were in the yard, you could hear the planes flying over. If you were watching TV late at night with the volume low so everyone else in the house could sleep, you could hear the planes (and often times, not the TV). But it was under the flight path. So we got used to it.

Now, I live just south of Five Corners. Planes were NEVER audible. Yesterday we were watching TV at like, six o clock at night, and the planes were loud enough to drown out the sound of regular volume TV, not 2 am volume. It is ridiculous. I am not the home owner. But the home owner is UPSET. Like, pissed off, upset.

But, I remember a friend of mine saying that back in the day, the Port installed sound proof windows for everyone who lived near the airport (well, flight path, but whatever). The house off 128th had them. Are they gonna do that again now? They need to. I am sure home values dropped significantly because of the new noise. That is not good news in an already failing economy.

So, in conclusion, I be like, F the new third runway.

peace
dean p.

Hello,

Thank you for bringing this subject to attention. I live on the 800 block of 143rd St SW and last week I started hearing a heavy amount of airplane noise. In the past it was quiet and I only occasionally heard a plane or two. Now it’s noisy all the time and I don’t like it one bit. The least the airport could have done is notify the community of the flight path changes ahead of time. This will hurt our growing city; in recent Seattle magazine articles Burien has been praised for being conveniently located near the airport but not affected by the noise of flight traffic as it was out of the flight path area. I suppose I will get used to the noise but I am afraid others will decide Burien is too noisy and choose other places to live and conduct business instead.

Thank you,
Jessica Dobson

I live between 128 and 136th on 10th Ave S- The noise is awful. In fact planes were landing every 5 mins on that 3rd runway last night (Sun. Nov. 30th) until after 12 am. I have no soundproofing as live in a mobile and the Port deems that not worth doing the soundproofing. ( I have attached the e-mail I received from them) as you can see they have no plans on addressing the problem until the end of 2009. I had gotten use to the minor noise from runway 1 and 2, but now the planes are less then a mile above my place, and the 3rd runway is almost being used exclusively now, so there is no relief, cannot imagine what it will be like in the summer time.

My question is the approaches on the other 2 runways for the most part go over either property the port purchased and tore down houses or in businesses areas, so why did they not come to us and offer the same or at least tell us how it was going to be so we could make an informed decision in whether to remain living there or sell. Now you can bet there isn’t going to be anyone wanting to by my piece of property. Even the neighbors with all their sound proofing and in regular homes are complaining.

The port and/or FAA could care less. They got what they wanted.

Kathy E Anderson

YES!!! In early November we found a cute house in north Burien (near 128th and 12th)- we were slightly bothered by the nearby airport noise, but the reason we bought the house was because it was NOT under a flight path. The house also has a “port package” and we were assured that we could not hear the planes inside the house. We had heard about the third runway, but had assurances that it would not be over our home, and used rarely.

NOW we closed on the house and are set to move in- and went to the house to do some repairs and found that the airplanes are frequently and daily flying DIRECTLY over our home, and the noise is deafening both outside and INSIDE the home. We are heartbroken, we can’t back out of the house now, and we anticipate losing money on the house since property values will surely go down due to this.

This situation is untenable, and something needs to be done about this, fast.

Thanks,
Miriam L. Bearse

Courtesy Reader/Letter Writer Miriam Bearse comes this info:

Airplane noise isn’t just a nuisance!

What do we know about the effects of consistent airplane noise on health?

Airplane noise in a community can lead to:

• Increased stress, including higher levels of cortisol (stress hormone)
• Cardiovascular (heart) problems and hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Sleep disturbances
• A higher rate of premature birth of babies
• Cognitive impairment in children; including lower reading levels, impaired reading comprehension, and impaired recognition memory
• Mental health disorders and negative psychosomatic effects
• Higher levels of psychiatric hospital admissions due to severe mental health disorders
• Asthma and related health problems due to increased levels of airborne pollutants

Partial list of reports and studies on these issues:

• Davies, P. et al (2008) “Project 19: Health Effects of Aircraft Noise,” Massachusetts Institute of Technology, ongoing study: http://www.web.mit.edu/aeroastro/partner/projects/project19.html
• BBC News “Aircraft Noise Affects Learning,” 6/2/05, based on a British and Spanish study of 2,500 children living near airports: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/health/4603189.stm” http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/health/4603189.stm
• Health Canada “Healthy Living: Aircraft Noise in the Vicinity of Airports,” 11/5/07, Health Canada Publications, Ottawa ON
• Black et al “Aircraft noise exposure and resident’s stress and hypertension: A public health perspective for airport environmental management,” 11/07, Journal of Air Transport Management, volume 13, issue 5
• Morrell, S. et al “A review of health effects of aircraft noise,” Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 1997: 21(2): 221-36
• Hiramatsu et al “Population-Based Questionnaire Survey on Health Effects of Aircraft Noise on Residents Living Around US Airfields…” 2/7/02, Journal of Sound and Vibration, Volume 250, issue 1
• Hiramatsu et al “A Survey on Health Effects due to Aircraft Noise on Residents Living Aroudn Kadena Air Base in the Ryukyus” 8/28/97, Journal of Sound and Vibration, Volume 205 issue 4
• Stansfeld et al “Aircraft and road traffic noise and children’s cognition and health: a cross-national study,” 6/4/05, The Lancet, Volume 365, Issue 9475
• Franssen et al “Assessing Health Consequences in an Environmental Impact Assessment: The case of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol” 11/02, Environmental Impact Assessment Review, volume 22, issue 6
• Rehm et al “Aircraft Noise and Premature Birth,” 7/8/78, Journal of Sound and Vibration, volume 59, issue 1
• Wickrama et al “Mental Health Admissions and Aircraft Noise,” 12/13/69, The Lancet, volume 294, issue 7

So…what are your thoughts on the third runway?

• Too noisy?
• No difference?
• Buncha whining?

Please let us know via email, phone (206-248-2565) or if you’re feeling kinda shy, just vote in our unscientific poll on the right sidebar.

From the White Center Blog mailbox comes this query from a Shorewood-area resident named Tony:

Photo of first airplane taking off from third runway courtesy Port of Seattle.

I was just wondering if you or any other readers were noticing an increase in plane noise today.

It seems pretty dramatic to me.

I live near the Shorewood Market and I’ve never really noticed plane traffic before but this morning my windows have already been rattled over a dozen times.

I’m more than a little afraid this might be what life with the third runway is like, but i never heard anything about a change to the flight paths as part of the new runway.

Heard anything?

We forwarded this email on to Perry Cooper, Media Officer for Sea-Tac Airport, who replied:

Yes, the new third runway did open this last weekend, so it’s expected some people will hear more noise than they’ve heard before.

The FAA is using it now.

We have had some people call in about the new runway and that’s expected when something new opens up.

If they have any questions on the runway, I’d direct them to our webpage at
http://www.portseattle.org/community/environment/noise.shtml

Not fully satisfied with his answer, we went out and did our own unscientific testing today, and here are our personal observations:

• The flight paths have definitely changed because of the third runway. If you disagree (or don’t believe us), go out and watch the approaches yourself and you’ll see that every single aircraft using it is now flying further west than ever before so they can line up to land (they have to in order to land!).
• Aircraft flying further west are most certainly closer to areas previously unaffected by airplane noise. These areas were never flown over prior to this because aircraft never had to.
• We watched and listened from numerous vantage points today and noticed a definite increase in sound due to aircraft using the third runway.
• At one point, we even heard loud aircraft sounds in our office in Olde Burien, something we’ve never noticed before.

Sea-Tac Airport also has a website called “WebTrack” that shows, in real time, airplanes approaching to land, and if you watch this live map in action (it’s a pretty cool use of web technology) you can see how every single (animated, red) airplane using the third (western-most) runway are now flying over neighborhoods they didn’t before:

The Port of Seattle has a page devoted to Noise Abatement, but it’s pretty irrelevant because all studies were done before the third runway opened on Thursday, Nov. 20th.

Our thoughts on this are:

• To truly test the third runway’s affect on local residents, a series of test fly-bys should have been conducted prior to its opening.
• These fly-over tests should have been measured using standardized noise monitoring stations, and the average decibel levels should have been part of any environmental impact statement.
• Were these noise tests actually done prior to the third runway’s opening? We don’t know for sure, but we lean towards being very skeptical that any noise studies were done prior to Nov. 20th.

So…have you noticed more noise since the third runway opened? If so, how big a difference? And what can (or should) be done about this?

Please Comment below, or email us.

We promise to forward relevant emails and comments directly to the folks at Sea-Tac Airport, and we have a feeling we’ll be covering this issue for quite a while.

Residents can also contact the Port of Seattle’s Noise Abatement office directly by calling 206-433-5393 or toll-free 1-800-826-1147, day or night.

You can also request information or report aircraft noise through the Port’s online Noise Information Request form.