98-8635r
93
RESOLUTION NO. 8635
RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE METROPOLITAN AIRCRAFT
SOUND ABATEMENT COUNCIL TO DEVELOP A MITIGATION
STUDY FOR LOW FREQUENCY NOISE IMPACTS
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Aircraft Sound Abatement Council (MASAC) was
formally incorporated in 1969 with the goal of reducing aircraft noise, as well as
increasing public knowledge and awareness of the issue; and
WHEREAS, MASAC is responsible for the study and evaluation of existing noise
abatement policies and the proposal and initiation of new programs, thus requiring that
all council members be well informed on a wide range of noise abatement procedures
and plans; and
WHEREAS, the current levels of ground level noise (its major component being
low frequency noise) account for over half tlie complaints the City receives on a
monthly basis; and
WHEREAS, Richfield has repeatedly requested that MASAC address impacts of
low frequency noise on communities; and
WHEREAS, studies have proven that construction of a new North-South Runway
located two blocks away from dense residential development will have a significant
adverse low frequency noise impact on Richfield; and
WHEREAS, this runway will be located closer to residential property than any
runway recently constructed in the United States; and
WHEREAS, several independent studies support the need for mitigation of low
frequency noise; and
WHEREAS, studies have demonstrated that low frequency noise produces
levels of annoyance which require mitigation; and
WHEREAS, the Baltimore-Washington International Airport has included
mitigation of moderate levels of low frequency noise impacts into its Sound Insulation
Program; and
WHEREAS, at high levels of impact low frequency noise cannot be mitigated
using noise insulation methods currently utilized for protection against overflight noise.
Resolution No. 8635
-2-
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Richfield, Minnesota, as follows:
1. Mitigation measures be developed for protection against low frequency noise.
2. That residents are provided protection against impacts of low frequency (ground)
noise.
3. That the remote monitoring sites in neighboring communities measure C-
weighted, as well as A-weighted noise scales and are included with monthly
informational reports.
4. That low frequency (ground) noise impacts are studied and mitigated on the
same level as high frequency (overflight) noise.
Passed by the City Council of the City of Richfield this 26th day of October,
1998.
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Martin J. Ki , Mayor
ATTEST:
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Thomas P. Ferber, City Clerk