Airport Noise Compatibility Program Updates and Next Steps

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I recently attended the Airport Noise Subcommittee meeting. The meeting reviewed progress and next steps for the Part 150 Noise Compatibility Program (NCP) and Noise Exposure Map (NEM) at Dane County Regional Airport (MSN), including why the previous NCP was withdrawn and how the revised plan will move forward.

I believe the new NCP will provide more opportunities for our community to receive remediation funds and although I am disappointed that the NEM does not extend further into District 6 but I think this is still good for the whole community.

I strongly encourage everyone to review this presentation which goes into detail. I summarize many of the key points below.


We are about to enter a Public Comment period of the revised NCP. Here are the key dates where you can attend and make your voice heard.

Here is the background of how we got here:
Background

  • NEM Update Submitted: December 2022 (for 2022 and 2027 conditions).

  • FAA Accepted NEM: December 21, 2023.

  • NCP Submitted: November 2024 — included abatement and land-use recommendations.

  • NCP Withdrawn: Because it wasn’t published in the Federal Register and needed better alignment with:

    • Airport Master Plan & Layout Plan,

    • City, County, and Wisconsin Air National Guard,

    • Public and stakeholder input.

Next Steps / Amended NCP

  • Reorganize measures into short-, medium-, and long-term actions.

  • Reevaluate:

    • Residential Sound Insulation and Avigation Easement programs. It is critical to get remediation but we need to also ensure that any easement payments are invested into an actual remediation projects.

    • Offering a “clean slate” of new easements.

  • Reengage Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and public.

  • Integrate updates with current Airport Master Plan (1993) and Layout Plan (2018).

  • I also think it is critically important to have the Air National Guard work with the community to limit flights, constrain flight times to a defined schedule and avoid flying over schools. I will be working on this.

Key Dates Going Forward:

The key here is to try to apply for grants in 2026 by expediting this process and completing our work by next summer.