FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

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Part 150 Noise Study
Noise Exposure Map(NEM)
Noise Compatibility Program Study(NCP)
Voluntary Sound Insulation Program
Voluntary Home Acquisition Program
Miscellaneous

Part 150 Noise Study:

Q. What is a Part 150 Noise Study?
A. Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 150 (Part 150) “Airport Noise Compatibility Planning” Sets forth standards for airport operators to use in documenting noise exposure around airports and establishing programs which may be eligible for federal funding to minimize noise-related land use incompatibilities. It is a voluntary process.
It consists of two parts;
  • Noise Exposure Map (NEM):Detailed description of airport layout, operations, noise exposure, land uses, and noise/land use compatibility for the study year and a forecast year
  • Noise Compatibility Program (NCP):A proposed plan to reduce noise exposure, and identify land use mitigation measures to address existing non-compatible uses and land use control measures to prevent new non-compatible uses

Noise Exposure Map(NEM):

Q. What is a “Noise Exposure Map” (NEM)?
A. A noise exposure map is a graphical presentation of the specific aircraft noise levels (noise contours) around an airport depicted over the existing land use. The noise level is expressed as Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL). The NEM depicts the noise levels for the current condition (2018) and 5 years in the future (2023).
Q. What is a noise contour?
A. A noise contour is a line on a map that depicts equal levels of noise exposure as generated by a required FAA computer model, (AEDT).
Q. What is Day-Night Sound Level (DNL)?
A. DNL is a 24 hour weighted energy average noise level based on A-weighted decibels (dBA) that adds a 10 dB penalty for aircraft noise occurring between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. The FAA requires the use of DNL as the noise metric for the NEM.
Q. How did the arrival of the F-35 affect the noise maps?
A. The 2024 Noise Exposure Map Update will include the existing F-35 operations.

Noise Compatibility Program Study(NCP):

Q. What is a Noise Compatibility Program (NCP)?
A. The NCP is a land use planning study that recommends noise mitigation efforts and recommendations future land use planning initiatives for areas located within the 65 DNL and higher noise contour.
Q. What types of noise mitigation programs can be recommended?
A. The types of programs the FAA will provide grant funding after their approval includes sound insulation, sales assistance, purchase assurance and the acquisition of avigation easements.

Voluntary Sound Insulation Program:

Q. When did the sound insulation program start?
A. The Airport began the Residential Sound Insulation program in 2022.
Q. What does “sound insulation” mean?
A. “Sound insulation” is the process of installation of acoustical products, typically windows and doors, in a home that reduces the interior noise level. In some cases, it may also include the installation of air conditioning or ventilation to ensure the windows and doors remain closed to reduce the aircraft noise impacts. The types of treatments offered to a homeowner will depend upon the assessment of the home.
Q. How long will an owner need to stay in his/her home under the insulation program to avoid having to pay any money back?
A. Typically, there is no requirement for owners to pay for acoustical treatments with the exception of the owner withdrawing from the program after the contractor has ordered the acoustical products and before construction has started.
Q. Will I be required to sign an avigation easement?
A. No, homeowners are not required to sign an avigation easement in order to participate in the program.
Q. How will contractors be selected for the noise insulation program?
A. Federal procurement rules require the construction contract to be publicly bid and awarded to the lowest most responsive and responsible bidder. Homes will be bid in as a group typically in groups of 50 homes, subject to federal funding.
Q. How long is the sound insulation process for a group of homes?
A. The entire process from selection of the home until construction is approximately 12-18 months. A group of approximately 50 eligible homes will be selected and go through the design process which identifies what treatments will be used at each home. The group of homes will be packaged into a construction contract and public bid. Upon receipt of the bids, the Airport will apply for a federal grant to construct the homes. Once the contract is awarded, the contractor will visit the home to take final measurements and order the custom-sized windows and doors. It takes approximately 3 months for the products to be manufactured. Once the products are received, the contractor schedules the homes for construction.
Q. How long is the sound insulation process for my home?
A. The actual construction work takes 30-40 days per home. The majority of the work is completed in the first 10 days with all products installed and, if applicable, all mechanical systems operational. The contractor then has an additional 10 days to finalize the construction after the program management team and the jurisdiction has inspected the work.
Q. How does the “home assurance” [Purchase Assurance] program work; is it just a check that the selling homeowners receives?
A. The purchase assurance program ensures that an owner is able to receive full market value for their home on the open market. If the owner receives an offer for less than the full market value, the Airport can provide a differential payment to the owner to ensure their full market value. The differential payment can be in the form of a number of items which may include cash, home repairs, and realtor fees. Each program is crafted based on the local area.
Q. What happens if refuse to participate in the program?
A. This is a voluntary program. Eligible property owners do not have to participate.
Q. Does the FAA need to be paid back?
A. There is no provision for owners to repay the FAA.

Voluntary Home Acquisition Program:

Q. What are the Airport’s plans to do with the acquired land?
A. The intention of the land is for sound mitigation and will be used as a noise buffer as identified on the Airport’s land use reuse plan located on the Burlington International Airport Website.
Q. If the 75 DNL line expands further into the neighborhood, are future home buyout programs expected?
A. FAA guidelines state that residential land use is not recommended in the 75 DNL contour.

Miscellaneous:

Q. Are the homes/land being purchased to enable a direct road connection to be made with the interstate?
A. Please refer to the Airport’s 2030 Master Plan to visualize the concept of the road connection located at http://www.btv.aero/airport-guide/community-connection

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