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The Modesto City-County Airport is pursuing an update to its existing 1992 Noise Compatibility Program (NCP).
The study update is now underway and is expected to be completed summer 2009.
In response to concerns about the environmental impacts of aviation noise, Congress, through the 1979 Aviation
Safety and Noise Abatement Act, adopted full-scale support for airport noise compatibility programs. The Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) established program guidelines under 14 CFR part 150 to set minimum standards for the
preparation of such studies.
A Noise Compatibility Program is intended to promote aircraft noise control and land use compatibility. The Study
is unique in three characteristics: (1) It is the only comprehensive approach to present and reduce airport and community
land use conflicts, (2) Eligible items in the approved plan may be funded from a portion of the Federal Airport Improvement
Program, and (3) It is the only FAA study conducted primarily for the benefit of airport neighbors.
Principle objectives of the NCP are to: (1) Identify the impacts of current and projected noise levels in the airport
area, (2) Propose strategies to reduce the impacts of aircraft noise through changes in aircraft operations or airport
facilities, and (3) In undeveloped areas where aircraft noise is projected to remain, encourage zoning designations
compatible with the noise and operation of an airport such as agricultural, commercial or industrial.
The Part 150 Study is a voluntary process that involves the preparation of two official documents: (1) Noise Exposure
Maps (NEM), and the (2) Noise Compatibility Program (NCP). The NEM document is the baseline analysis for the noise
conditions at the airport. The NCP document provides an analysis of various alternatives for reducing or eliminating
airport noise impact and concludes with a plan to effectively mitigate adverse noise impacts currently and in the future.
Our project consultant, Coffman Associates, maintains for a period of time, a copy of the draft Modesto City-County
Airport Noise Compatibility Program on a website link allowing public review:
http://www.coffmanassociates.com/public/Modesto.
Contact the Airport Administration Office with further questions: (209) 577-5318.
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