San Francisco International Airport

Community Managed Noise Mitigation

“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.”

Henry David Thoreau

The Challenge of San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco International Airport

• Owned and Operated by the City and County of San Francisco

• Located 12 miles south of the City and County limits.

• Majority of noise impacts are on non-residents of the City and County of San Francisco.

SFO, then…

…and now

Who Filed This Flight Plan?

SFO’s Noise MitigationCalifornia Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 21 requires

Airports to mitigate non-compatible land use within the 65 dB CNELResidencesPlaces of WorshipSchoolsLong-term care facilities

Initial 1983 contour included 18,486 residences within the contour

State of California and San Mateo County declared “zero impact” in 2001 after 12,696 homes insulated and 13,835 easements received

How Does the Program Work?Contours are generated quarterly by third-party

consultantFinancial oversight conducted by SFO Finance office Individual communities request grant money from

FAA for insulationDaly CityMillbraePacificaSan BrunoSouth San FranciscoCounty of San Mateo

How is the Program Managed?Communities determine and manage priorities in

distributing mitigation fundsMost communities contracted with third-party for

program management.Data maintained by:

SFO Noise AbatementSFO FinanceSan Francisco Department of Real EstateEach individual CitySan Mateo CountyFAA Airport District Office

Why Let the Cities Manage the Program?

Communities determine and manage their priorities in distributing mitigation funds

City officials (Council Members, City Manager, Department Heads) become the POCs for residents.

City Building Departments are the local experts on current code and zoning requirements.

Gets the Airport out of the “us vs. them” scenario

$how Me the Money!Each city receives $15,000 per easement.

This amount may cover multiple dwellingsSome buildings require more money, some lessEach City and its contractor determine final cost and carry

over balancesPost-1989 constructed buildings were paid $5,000

per easement1989 Building Code update for environmental insulation

efficiency brought homes into noise insulation compliance.One-time direct payment with homeowner

FAA funds received by cities = $62,472,085 (28%)Total SFO investment = $135,442,770 (72%)

South San Francisco

San Bruno

Where to go with “zero impact?”Quarterly contour updates still producedQuarterly State Noise Reports publishedContinuing to search for homes with no

easement in 65 CNEL contourAs funds become available, SFO will continue

to mitigate homes in original 1983 contourLocal communities will continue to respond

to constituent questions regarding eligibility, warranties, waiting lists, etc.

Post-“Zero Impact” Programs

Expand the use of websiteWork with Airport PlannersWork with County Board of Realtors

Provide aircraft noise data to prospective buyers

Provide input on the definition of “Airport Influence Area”

Develop Public Service Announcements?

Other Community Outreach

San Francisco International Airport Community RoundtableOldest continuously running public noise forum in

the NationEstablished in 1981Membership consists of one City/Town Council

Member from 18 cities/towns near SFOAirport Director is also memberTower Staff and Airline Chief Pilots unofficial

membersMeets first Wednesday of every even-number

month.

Contours

2001 Noise Exposure Map (NEM) 65dB CNEL

Michael C. McCarronDirector of Community Affairs

www.flysfo.com

Questions?