Monterey, CA (May 23, 2007).  On Wednesday, May 30, 2007, the public is invited to the second of three public workshops on the federal noise study update the Airport District is conducting at Monterey Peninsula Airport.  Interested residents are invited to view exhibits regarding the Noise Exposure Map (NEM) Update Study between 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the Monterey Peninsula Airport District Board Room, 200 Fred Kane Drive, Monterey.  Airport staff and consultants will be available to answer questions regarding the Airport and the study process.  The format is an open house and residents are invited to stop by anytime during the workshop.  This workshop will provide information regarding operations forecasts, preliminary noise exposure contours, and an evaluation of their projected impact.
Noise Exposure Maps were last updated for the Airport in 1997, and since that time, substantial changes in the aviation industry have resulted in operational changes at the Airport.  In the past ten years, the type of aircraft and number of operations has altered the noise condition at the Airport, and it is therefore necessary to reevaluate the extent of the Airport’s noise exposure.  The updated Noise Exposure Maps will be based on the current operating conditions at the Airport, and the forecast condition will be based on projected changes in local and aviation industry trends.
The study will consider the current situation in 2007, and forecast conditions in 2012 and 2025.  The workshop will include a wide variety of displays that summarize the overall process, the project schedule, noise measurements the consultants conducted around the Airport, and technical details related to the development of the Noise Exposure Map.  The study, which began in January 2007, is expected to take approximately 6 to 8 months to complete.
Public outreach is an important element of the study.  In addition to the public workshops, the study includes a Planning Advisory Committee to review the draft documents and provide feedback to Coffman Associates, the study consultants.  The committee includes interested residents, Airport users, and representatives from local, state, and federal agencies. There is also a study website that the public can access to obtain study materials and information on the status of the study, as well as provide comments. For more information, go to the project website at www.coffmanassociates.com/public/Monterey or contact Mark Bautista, Deputy General Manager, at (831) 648-7000 ext. 212.