Click on the date below for information that has been disseminated to the media. April 28, 2008 – University Seeks FAA Approval for Noise Abatement Phase April 11, 2008 – OSU Airport Seeks Public Input on Noise and Land Use Study August 20, 2007 – University to Begin Noise Study June 2, 2008 - Update The Ohio State University Airport Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 150 Noise and Land Use Compatibility Study is nearing the conclusion of Phase I. This first phase has documented noise levels from current and forecasted future aircraft operations. With FAA approval, Phase II will develop recommendations for reducing potential aircraft noise exposure for surrounding communities based on best practices used across the country. When the study began last September, a Part 150 Advisory Committee was formed. Members represent organizations that use the airport as well as affected political jurisdictions, agencies and neighborhoods. The Part 150 Committee has met twice, and a Technical Subcommittee has held two additional meetings. These sessions have been open to the public. In April, a public meeting was held, attracting about 80 attendees. All meeting documents, as well as frequently asked questions, are being posted on this web site, and comments are welcome at any time. To date we have received a wide range of comments and questions, and have appreciated the public’s ongoing interest and input in this effort. Due to the volume of comments received in Part 150 studies, we do not provide detailed responses to each individual comment and question as we receive them. Instead, all comments and questions are reviewed by the consultant team, and those related to the development of Noise Exposure Maps are addressed comprehensively, where everyone can have the benefit of reviewing the information, in the draft Part 150 Study Noise Exposure Maps submittal to the Federal Aviation Administration. All comments and questions are also included in the Appendices of the draft document. This document will be available for public review prior to the next public meeting, which will be scheduled upon FAA approval to move into Phase II, the Noise Compatibility Program development phase. Many of the questions we’ve received have already been addressed in materials that have been posted under the newly reorganized Study Documents section that enables you to find information by subject matter. As presented in April, using FAA guidelines and industry best practices, the Reynolds, Smith and Hills consultant team determined the extent of the noise that exists around the Airport today, and is expected to exist around the airport in the future. The analysis determined that the 65 Day-Night Sound Level (DNL) contour – the FAA’s threshold for significant noise – falls mainly within Airport property. Land uses falling outside the 65 DNL contour are considered compatible. While the Airport is not required by the FAA to pursue noise abatement strategies when the 65 DNL noise levels do not reach into residential neighborhoods, the University understands that noise concerns continue to exist, and remains committed to further exploring noise compatibility strategies. To that end, the University is actively working to secure the FAA’s support and funding for Phase II of this study process. This next step would evaluate a broad range of aircraft operational procedures and land use practices to help further reduce noise impacts on surrounding neighborhoods. The Noise Compatibility Program phase will provide further opportunities for the public to provide comments on the study, which again would be addressed in the Study Documents. March 28, 2008 - Part 150 Committee and Public Meetings on April 24th The second Part 150 Committee meeting and first public meeting/open house will be on Thursday, April 24th, 2 to 4 p.m. at the MedFlight training room, 2827 W. Dublin Granville Rd., Columbus, OH 43235. The public open house will be held that same date, from 7 to 9 p.m. at OSU Airport Hangar 1, near the Barnstorm Restaurant, 2160 West Case Rd., Columbus, OH 43235. A presentation will be made at the open house at 7:30 p.m., but drop by anytime between 7 and 9 p.m. For more information, click here to read the newsletter. January 25, 2008 - Meetings To Be Rescheduled The second Part 150 Committee meeting and first public open house, originally scheduled for February 12th, will be rescheduled to allow the Technical Subcommittee more time to digest additional information provided after its first meeting, held in January. Information will be posted here when the new meeting dates are confirmed. October 22, 2007 - Noise Monitoring Questions and Answers The noise monitoring, which is being conducted Oct. 18th to Oct. 26th, has generated a number of questions. Please see the questions and their responses on this web site, under Frequently Asked Questions. October 15, 2007 - Website Launched Today We're pleased to announce that the OSU Airport Noise and Land Use Compatibility Study web site, www.osuairportpart150.com, was launched today. The site provides a study overview, answers an initial list of frequently asked questions, and has all the materials and a summary of the kick-off Part 150 Committee meeting held in September (click on the "meetings" link on the left, then click on "previous meetings"). As soon as we have a date for the next Part 150 Committee meeting and public meeting, we will post it here. Additionally, there is a "Contact Us" link that allows the public to make comments or ask questions at any time during the study.