Home Mitigation Program
New Noise Mitigation Program
The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) voted to approve a proposed settlement
in a noise mitigation lawsuit brought by the cities of Minneapolis, Richfield
and Eagan.
For a more detailed description of the proposed settlement click here.
For the noise mitigation program presentation given to the MAC Full Commission
February 19, 2008 click here.
For printable maps of the areas covered under the proposed settlement click
here.
The new noise mitigation program
Under the new noise mitigation program, the MAC would provide mitigation to homes in the 60 to 64 DNL contours. Mitigation activities would vary based on noise contour, with homes in the most noise-impacted contours eligible for more extensive mitigation than those in less impacted areas. Multi-family dwellings (those with more than three living units) would receive less extensive mitigation than single-family homes. The total cost to MAC is uncertain until the program is complete, but it is estimated the proposal could cost as much as $130 million to implement.
Four separate residential noise mitigation programs are included in the agreement. Costs depicted in each of the four programs are in 2007 dollars and will be adjusted annually for inflation according to the Consumer Price Index:
Single-family Homes in the Projected 2007 Mitigated
63-64 DNL Noise Contours
The approximately 432 homes in the most noise-impacted contours would be eligible
to receive the same level of noise mitigation provided in the 65 DNL contour
and greater. The program is designed to achieve five decibels of noise reduction
on average. Depending on the improvements needed to reduce interior noise sufficiently,
modifications could include: central air conditioning; exterior and storm window
repair or replacement; prime door and storm door repair or replacement; wall
and attic insulation; baffling of roof vents and chimney treatment. Construction
would be scheduled for completion by December 31, 2009.
Single-family Homes in the Projected 2007 Mitigated
60-62 Noise Contours
Owners of the approximately 5,344 homes in less noise-impacted areas would be
eligible for one of two mitigation packages: 1.) The estimated 3,421 homes that
did not have central air conditioning as of September 1, 2007 could receive
it. In addition, homeowners would get up to $4,000 (including installation costs)
in other noise mitigation products and services they could choose from a menu
provided by the MAC. 2.) Owners of homes that already had central air conditioning
installed as of September 1, 2007 or who choose not to receive central air conditioning
would be eligible for up to $14,000 (including installation costs) of noise
mitigation products and services they could choose from a menu provided by the
MAC. Categories of products on the menu will include: exterior and storm window
repair or replacement; prime door and storm door repair or replacement; wall
and attic insulation; baffling of roof vents and chimney treatment. Construction
is scheduled for completion by December 1, 2012.
Multi-family homes in the projected 2007 mitigated
60-64 DNL Contours
Any of the approximately 1,931 multi-family units in the projected 2007 mitigated
60-64 DNL contours that do not have air conditioning would receive through-the-wall
or equivalent permanently installed air conditioners. The MAC also will install
an acoustical cover for each air conditioner in the multi-family units. Installation
is scheduled to be complete by December 1, 2010.
$7 Million Total for Opt-Out and 2005 Mitigated
Single-family Homes
Single-family homes whose owners opted out of the already completed MAC noise-mitigation
program but that now have new owners would be eligible to “opt in”
and receive noise mitigation. If the total cost to MAC of opt-in mitigation
is less than $7 million, any remaining monies would be used to reimburse owners
of approximately 2,352 single-family homes in the 2005 Mitigated 60-64 DNL contours
for purchase and installation of products included on a menu provided by the
MAC. The amount each homeowner receives will be determined by subtracting dollars
spent for the opt-in program from the total $7 million budget and dividing the
remainder among the total number of single-family homes within the 2005 60-64
DNL contours. The MAC would begin to issue reimbursements by March 1, 2010 and
would complete them by July 31, 2014. The total the MAC will spend on the opt-out
and 2005 program all together is capped at $7 million.
