"Ways to cut Pease, New Hampshire airport noise examined"

Friday, November 1, 2002

Ways to cut airport noise examined
By Christine Gillette
The Portsmouth (NH) Herald


PORTSMOUTH - Efforts to reduce airport noise at Pease International
Tradeport could begin by early next year, Pease Development Authority
officials said Thursday.

Those efforts could include restricting use of outdoor power sources,
reorienting aircraft at certain times of the day, and using buildings and
other structures to block noise, according to recommendations presented
Thursday by a consultant to the PDA board of directors.

The potential costs of those recommendations range from $25,000 to as much
as $750,000, according to the consultants, Harris Miller Miller & Hanson
Inc. of Burlington, Mass.

A report issued by HMMH last month found that aircraft noise is audible to
Pease neighbors 24 hours a day, averaging levels equal to a dishwasher
running in the next room or a garbage disposal operating three feet away.

Residents who live in south Newington near the edge of the Pease airport
apron have been the most vocal about difficulties with airport noise,
complaining to the PDA for more than two years about the problem.

Some residents believe audible noise levels increased for them when the PDA
cut down a stand of trees along the edge of the airport to expand its golf
course.

In the time since, residents' complaints have focused on the use of
auxiliary power units by Pan American Airways' Boeing 727s while idling at
the PDA passenger terminal in the early morning hours before flights, as
well as engine run-ups and revving during maintenance.

Those operations were all listed in HMMH's report Thursday as sources of
airport noise annoying to neighbors.

Pan Am is the only airline offering scheduled passenger service to and from
Pease, and operates a maintenance facility at the airport.

HMMH's recommendations include:

   Establishing guidelines or regulations to reduce nonessential auxiliary
power unit use and other sources of ground operations noise.

HMMH estimates the cost for guidelines would be minimal, and regulatory
approval would not be necessary. However, regulations would mean legal and
administrative costs and potentially, regulatory approval would be needed.

   Provide alternate sources of ground power and pre-conditioned air for
aircraft waiting at the terminal.

While this would result in "significant reductions in noise levels," HMMH
estimates the cost at up to $750,000 to purchase and maintain the new power
units. No regulatory approval is necessary, the consultants say, and Federal
Aviation Administration funding could be available.

   Reorient aircraft during times of auxiliary power unit use, which could
reduce noise by about five decibels. No regulatory approval would be needed,
and the cost would be minimal if incorporated with future facilities,
although it may not work with the current terminal and jetway configuration.

   Use buildings or berms and barriers to reduce noise by five to 10
decibels. Noise barriers could cost $120,000 to $240,000 depending on the
height and length, while berms would be less expensive because of cheaper
materials.

The PDA board did not take any action Thursday on the recommendations.

The next step, according to Douglas Barrett of HMMH, would be more analysis
of the options and potentially a meeting with FAA officials to discuss
funding and other issues surrounding making changes to the airport to be
ready to take action in early 2003.

Newington officials endorse the study process and are ready to move forward,
according to attorney Malcolm McNeill, who represents the town on issues
before the PDA.

"We agree on the next steps," McNeill told the board.

"I particularly appreciate your emphasis on annoyance" not just decibel
levels deemed too loud by the FAA, board member Peter Loughlin, who
represents Portsmouth and Newington, told Barrett.

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