This document outlines how airport noise impact programs can be approved and funded under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). Once a detailed study confirms substantial community noise impact and a reasonable solution is proposed, costs become eligible for approval. Specific guidelines must then be developed covering property acquisition or sound insulation options, including owner agreements, appraisals, market exposure, noise insulation standards, and relocation proposals.

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This document outlines guidelines for implementing airport noise mitigation programs under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). It describes three potential approaches—acquisition programs, sound insulation, or purchase assurance—and lists specific requirements that must be developed under any chosen method. The requirements cover owner agreements, appraisals, market exposure, noise insulation, construction criteria, and relocation proposals.

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As the source for federal transportation grants, the Puget Sound Regional Council was charged with developing a system to meet the growing need for commercial aviation. When the search for a second airport failed, they authorized the Port of Seattle to build the Third Runway, with a mandate to develop a noise abatement and mitigation program. In their effort to stop the Third Runway, the ACC argued over every detail of the Port's efforts--including property buyouts and sound insulation. The dispute was meant to be settled by a three member Expert Arbitration Panel. This is their final report. It finds 2-1, that the Port's program was insufficient in several respects. Despite that, funding for the Third Runway was approved by the PSRC, and the 'Port Package' program, proceeded largely unchanged. Expert Arbitration Panel's final decision finding that the Port of Seattle had not shown sufficient reduction in real on-the-ground noise impacts to satisfy noise reduction conditions required for approval of a third runway at Sea-Tac International Airport. The majority decision concluded the Port's noise abatement programs were insufficient despite being impressive in scope.

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