14 CFR Part 150
14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 150, Airport Noise Compatibility Planning, was issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a final rule in January 1985. This rule sets forth the methodology and procedures to be followed by airport sponsors when addressing the issue of aircraft noise as it relates to the surrounding communities. The 14 CFR Part 150 Noise and Land Use Compatibility Study process is a voluntary effort undertaken by airport sponsors to identify noise incompatibilities surrounding the airport(s), and to recommend measures to both correct existing incompatibilities and to prevent future incompatibilities. The FAA defines noise-sensitive sites as uses within the 65 Day-Night Average Sound Level/Contour (DNL) that would be incompatible with aircraft noise without the proper Noise Level Reduction (NLR). Such sites would include residential communities, schools, places of worship, hospitals, passive parks, historic properties and other uses that could be adversely affected by aircraft noise. Outside the 65 DNL contour, all land uses are considered compatible with aircraft activities.
2013 Part 150 Noise & Land Use Compatibility Study
In 2011, the Lee County Port Authority (LCPA) began an update to the 2006 14 CFR Part 150 Noise and Land Use Compatibility study for Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW). The study was completed in 2013 (2013 Noise Study) and the FAA issued its Record of Approval in 2014. Throughout the course of the 2013 Noise Study, numerous workshops and meetings were held with key stakeholders, including concerned citizens and the FAA. The two-phase study first evaluated aircraft noise exposure through development of Noise Exposure Maps (NEMs) and then evaluated measures to improve land use compatibility through development of a Noise Compatibility Program (NCP). The FAA officially accepted the updated NEMs in November 2012. A public hearing on the NCP was held in January 2013 and the FAA issued its formal Record of Approval (ROA) for the NCP in April 2014.
The 2013 Noise Study resulted in the FAA concluding that the critical levels of noise for RSW, as defined by federal standards in 14 CFR Part 150, were contained primarily on airport property and no mandatory operational measures for overflight mitigation were required. While the 2013 Noise Study identified no noise-sensitive sites within the 65 DNL contour at RSW, LCPA and Board of Port Commissioners (BOPC) recognizes there are still community concerns and annoyance associated with the operation of an airport. As a result, LCPA committed to using the 14 CFR Part 150 process to explore potential operational modifications, update its existing long-erm land use compatibility measures and explore management measures to enhance its near-term and long-term relationship with the surrounding communities. LCPA continues to work with local FAA air traffic officials to implement the recommended operational measures from the 2013 Noise Study on a voluntary basis in an attempt to provide local communities relief of aircraft overflights.
2014 and 2018 Post Study Update
In 2014 and 2018, LCPA retained ESA Airports, the consultant contracted by the BOPC to prepare the 2013 Noise Study, to review the ROA issued on April 7, 2014, document and update the implementation status of the NCP outlined in the study and outline next steps and a timeline for implementation. For those measures already implemented, attempts are made to either quantitatively or qualitatively identify the net benefit provided. The 2018 Noise Compatibility Program Post Study Update and Status of FAA Initiatives Report (originally prepared in 2014) has been updated to reflect conditions as of May 2018.
LCPA 14 CFR Part 150 Documents
Noise Study Process
RSW 14 CFR Part 150 Study NEM and NCP documents Part I
RSW 14 CFR Part 150 Study NEM and NCP documents Part II
FAA Part 150 Public Hearing Notice
FAR Part 150 Public Workshop Display Boards - March 2012
FAR Part 150 Public Workshop Display Boards - August 2011
FAR Part 150 Public Workshop Display Boards - November 2011
2014 Noise Compatibility Program Post Study Update and Status of FAA Initiatives Report
2018 Noise Compatibility Program Post Study Update and Status of FAA Initiatives Report