The Noise Compatibility Study will produce a balanced and cost-effective plan to
address the existing airport noise exposure on surrounding communities and to
reduce the potential noise exposure in the future. It will do this by analyzing the
existing and projected future noise exposure, existing and proposed land uses, and
compatible community-development objectives. The Study will examine current
aircraft noise levels and project what those may be five years into the future. The
existing and projected future noise conditions for the Airport will be depicted on
Noise Exposure Maps.
The Study also will review the measures the Airport has taken through the implementation of its successful
Noise Compatibility Program to mitigate the impact of noise on surrounding areas. The Noise Compatibility
Study is following a defined process and will produce final documents that will be submitted to the Federal
Aviation Administration for their review and acceptance.
A great deal has occurred both locally and nationally since the most recent Noise Compatibility Study was
completed in the mid-1990s. The current planning process provides the opportunity to consider changing
conditions in the St. Louis area, and aviation-industry challenges and opportunities nationwide,
keeping in mind the Airport's role in the region. Aviation's consistent long-term growth and short-term
fluctuations will be assessed as part of the studies.
Click here for information about the Public Hearing regarding the Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study Update that was held on Thursday, November 4, 2010.
Click here to review the Draft Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study Update Document.
Click here to comment on the Draft Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study and recommended Noise Compatibility Program. Comments must be sent by November 24, 2010 to be included in the Final Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study Update document.
The Master Plan Study and the Noise Compatibility Study each have five major steps. And, there are four
other steps that involve both studies. Throughout the course of both studies, the Airport will incorporate
stakeholder, community and public coordination.
Organizing, scoping, and creating an overall approach to both studies is the initial step to launch the
studies. This is followed by the development of a Draft Aviation Activity Forecast,
the inventory of existing conditions in and around Lambert for the Master Plan Study, and collecting data
for the Noise Compatibility Study. (The noise study is also referred to as a "Part 150 Study" because it is
located in Part 150 of the Code of Federal Regulations [14 CFR].)
The current mix of aircraft using the Airport – Lambert's "fleet mix" – is then studied, and the current
volume and type of aircraft operations at the Airport are assessed. The Master Plan team uses this data, in
addition to the inventory of existing conditions, to identify demand, capacity and facility requirements for the
Airport now and in the future. At the same time, noise-compatibility experts use the fleet mix and baseline
operations data, as well as other collected data, to create existing and future noise exposure contours, and analyze
their impacts on the way land is used in and around Lambert now and in the future. Options are identified for
how land can and could be used in and around Lambert. Based on this and demand, capacity and facilities
requirements, the Master Plan team develops and evaluates a series of alternative plans. The noise-compatibility team,
meanwhile, uses land-use options, and existing and future noise exposures to identify noise and land-use alternatives.
At this step, the Master Plan team selects and evaluates a single best alternative that will become the favored
master plan. At the same time, the noise-compatibility team creates a proposed Noise Compatibility Plan. Members
of both teams will assess the financial feasibility of the favored Master Plan option and the proposed Noise
Compatibility Plan in light of Lambert's other financial plans.
Finally, a proposed Master Plan is reviewed and finalized before being presented to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA). The FAA, in particular, will examine two elements of the Master Plan. One is an
Airport Layout Plan, which is a series of maps and drawings depicting Lambert's current and proposed facilities.
The other is an Exhibit A property map, which shows property that Lambert owns or has owned.
The final step in the Noise Compatibility Study is the preparation of a Noise Mitigation: Program report,
which is presented to the FAA after it is reviewed. The Noise Mitigation Program review includes a formal
public hearing.
Throughout the process, stakeholder, community and public coordination and involvement will be sought.
See the Public Involvement web page for more information.
As the doorway to national and international travel and commerce, Lambert will study its terminal complex and
infrastructure. While the Airport's previous Master Plan centered on airfield capacity, no major property
expansion is anticipated coming from the new study.
Lambert's role as a regional economic generator will be reviewed, including the number of jobs it provides within
the community through re-use of Airport property such as is being done in the adjacent North Park and Hazelwood
redevelopment areas. Opportunities for other intermediate- and long-term developments will be examined,
maximizing the economic contributions of aviation and non-aviation properties to neighboring communities
and the region.
As a link for families, businesses, communities and vacationers, Lambert will study current passenger and cargo
service, identifying potential opportunities, challenges and trends. Analysts will focus on the Airport's dual
role of providing pleasant, safe and efficient facilities for passengers, as well as providing efficient
and cost-effective airport facilities for airlines to serve those passengers.
Keeping in mind Lambert's responsibilities to its immediate neighbors, planners will review the successful
Noise Compatibility Program. Among the elements to be reviewed are Lambert's noise-monitoring operations,
its acoustical insulation program, and its compatible land-use planning with neighboring communities.
These have contributed to the reduction of noise impacts over the last decade. Airport leaders want
to be sure they are doing all they can to minimize the effects of airport noise on the neighbors of Lambert Airport.