Home Mitigation Program

New Noise Mitigation Program

The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) voted to approve a proposed settlement in a noise mitigation lawsuit brought by the cities of Minneapolis, Richfield and Eagan.

For a more detailed description of the proposed settlement click here.

For the noise mitigation program presentation given to the MAC Finance Development and Environment Committee in January 2009 click here.

For printable maps of the areas covered under the proposed settlement click here.

The new noise mitigation program

Under the new noise mitigation program, the MAC will provide mitigation to homes in the 60 to 64 DNL contours. Mitigation activities will vary based on noise contour, with homes in the most noise-impacted contours eligible for more extensive mitigation than those in less impacted areas. Multi-family dwellings (those with more than three living units) will receive less extensive mitigation than single-family homes. The total cost to the MAC is uncertain until the program is complete, but it is estimated that the proposal could cost as much as $130 million to implement.

Four separate residential noise mitigation programs are included in the agreement. Costs depicted in each of the four programs are in 2007 dollars and will be adjusted annually for inflation according to the Consumer Price Index:

Single-family Homes in the Projected 2007 Mitigated 63-64 DNL Noise Contours
Owners of the approximately 453 homes in the most noise-impacted contours will be eligible to receive the same level of noise mitigation provided in the 65 DNL contour and greater. The program is designed to achieve five decibels of noise reduction on average. Depending on the improvements needed to reduce interior noise sufficiently, modifications could include: central air conditioning; interior and storm window repair or replacement; prime door and storm door repair or replacement; wall and attic insulation; baffling of roof vents and chimney treatment. Construction will be scheduled for completion by December 31, 2009. Admission into the 63-64 DNL noise contour project closed on April 20, 2009.

Single-family Homes in the Projected 2007 Mitigated 60-62 Noise Contours
Owners of the approximately 5,400 homes in less noise-impacted areas will be eligible for one of two mitigation packages: 1.) The estimated 2,833 homes that did not have central air conditioning as of September 1, 2007 could receive it. In addition, homeowners will get up to $4,000 (including installation costs) in other noise mitigation products and services they choose from a menu provided by the MAC. 2.) Owners of homes that already had central air conditioning installed as of September 1, 2007 or who choose not to receive central air conditioning will be eligible for up to $14,000 (including installation costs) of noise mitigation products and services they select from a menu provided by the MAC. Categories of products on the menu will include: interior and storm window repair or replacement; prime door and storm door repair or replacement; wall and attic insulation; baffling of roof vents and chimney treatment. Construction is scheduled for completion by December 1, 2012.

Multi-family homes in the projected 2007 mitigated 60-64 DNL Contours
Any of the approximately 1,912 multi-family units in the projected 2007 mitigated 60-64 DNL contours that do not have air conditioning will receive through-the-wall or equivalent permanently installed air conditioners. The MAC also will install an acoustical cover for each air conditioner in the multi-family units. Installation is scheduled to be complete by December 1, 2010.

$7 Million Total for Opt-Out and 2005 Mitigated Single-family Homes
Single-family homes whose owners opted out of the already completed MAC noise-mitigation program that now have new owners will be eligible to “opt in” and receive noise mitigation. If the total cost to MAC of opt-in mitigation is less than $7 million, any remaining monies will be used to reimburse owners of approximately 2,409 single-family homes in the 2005 Mitigated 60-64 DNL contours for purchase and installation of products included on a menu provided by the MAC. The amount each homeowner receives will be determined by subtracting dollars spent for the opt-in program from the total $7 million budget and dividing the remainder among the total number of single-family homes within the 2005 60-64 DNL contours. The MAC will begin to issue reimbursements by March 1, 2010 and will complete them by July 31, 2014. The total that the MAC will spend on the opt-out and 2005 program is capped at $7 million.