LOS ANGELES, March 21, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners today awarded a $6,482,085 contract to Harris Miller Miller and Hanson, Inc., of Burlington, Mass., for noise studies at Los Angeles International (LAX) and Van Nuys (VNY) Airports. The studies will support efforts to seek restrictions from the federal government on future noise generation and aircraft operations. Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is the first airport authority in the United States to embark on two simultaneous Part 161 studies at separate airports. In addition, the VNY study is the first in the U.S. to attempt to implement multiple proposed noise and access restrictions.
The noise studies are required as part of the Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 161 process, which was enacted after Congress passed the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 (ANCA). ANCA preempts airport owners from implementing any noise and access restrictions at their airports. The FAR Part 161 studies are the specified processes and reports required by airport owners to justify an FAA waiver of the federal preemption. FAA approval would allow LAWA to implement the proposed noise and access restrictions on aircraft operations at LAX and VNY.
The noise control measure proposed for LAX would prohibit the easterly departure of all aircraft, with certain exceptions, from the airport during the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:30 a.m., when LAX is operating in either Over-Ocean Operations or remains in westerly operations during these hours (excluding those times when LAX is in easterly operations). LAWA agreed to conduct the LAX Part 161 study in its Community Benefits Agreement negotiated with the LAX Coalition for Economic, Environmental, and Educational Justice in support of the LAX Master Plan, which was approved by the City Council last December. The Board's action addresses a major concern of the LAX/Community Noise Roundtable, which determined that a serious noise disturbance problem exists with easterly departures during the early morning period. The LAX/Community Noise Roundtable was created in 2000 to provide a forum that would develop ways to reduce noise impacts on neighboring communities. The roundtable is comprised of local elected officials and staff, representatives of congressional offices, members of recognized community groups, the FAA, the Air Transport Association and LAWA managers.
The Van Nuys measure involves the study of seven noise control measures ranging from monetary fines for violation of noise abatement policies to a possible future cap or phase-out of helicopters at the Van Nuys facility.
The Part 161 process involves the collection and analyses of necessary data to justify the restriction, notification of the public and airport stakeholders, and submission of the proposed restriction to the FAA for review and approval.
It is anticipated that these studies will take from three to five years to complete.