HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Councilmember Item - Councilmembers Branden and Delglei CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
F � City Council Interoffice Communication
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Membefs
From: Patrick Brenden, City Council Member;02,d
Barbara Delgleize, City Council Member
Date: January 8, 2018
Subject: CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ITEM FOR THE JANUARY 16, 2018,
CITY COUNCIL MEETING —AIRPLANE NOISE STRATEGY
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
Many residents have reached out to City Council Members expressing concerns about
increased noise related to the frequency of flights, altitude of flights, and current flight path into
Long Beach Airport and other surrounding airports.
Since August 2017, we have met with various parties in an effort to formulate a strategy to
address these community concerns. In August, we met with Congressman Dana
Rohrabacher's District Director and asked for help in obtaining historical data from the FAA. In
September, we met with Thomas Edwards, an attorney and former Newport Beach Mayor, who
serves as a consultant to the City of Newport Beach and who, in 1985, helped negotiate the
settlement agreement between John Wayne Airport and the City of Newport Beach that
established a flight curfew and limits on noise and the number of passengers and departures.
In October, we met with the Director of the Long Beach Airport and their Noise Officer to learn
more about the agreement between the City of Long Beach and the Long Beach Airport. In that
meeting, the Airport Director offered to assist in setting up a meeting with the FAA's Western
Pacific Regional Administrator. In November, we attended a Town Hall meeting in Newport
Beach where we learned about tactics they have utilized in addressing their issues with the FAA
and the airlines.
From these meetings and through further investigation, it has become evident that we need to
make a concerted effort to develop a comprehensive plan to deal with this complex issue. To
that end, we propose that the City create the Air Traffic Noise Working Group to be led by two
Council Members, with support from staff and subject matter experts, and with the invited
participation of up to ten members of the community.
Key objectives for the working group would include:
1) Define and prioritize remedies we seek; identify where authority/control resides.
2) Acquire technical information and flight data that supports our case.
3) Establish a working dialogue with the Federal Aviation Administration, the airlines, Long
Beach Airport and other parties who can help to effect change. Seek voluntary
cooperation through collaboration.
4) If necessary, activate a letter writing/email campaign to enlist community involvement.
5) If necessary, assess the feasibility of legal action.
6) Conduct a community meeting within 90 days
7) Provide the community with on-going updates via the city's website
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City Council Member Item —Airport Noise Strategy
Page 2
January 8, 2018
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Establish the Air Traffic Noise Working Group, to be led by two City Council members with
support from staff and subject matter experts; to pursue the objectives as defined in the
Statement of Issue above; with a first meeting to be held on or around January 28th as
schedules permit.
xc: Fred Wilson, City Manager
Lori Ann Farrell Harrison, Assistant City Manager
Robin Estanislau, City Clerk
Michael Gates, City Attorney
Violations by the FAA:
• In "Vision 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act of 2003," Congress identified a series of
goals for NextGen. Goal (7)take into consideration, to the greatest extent practicable,
design of airport approach and departure flight paths to reduce exposure of noise and
emissions pollution on affected residents.The FAA has not given appropriate
consideration of noise in addition to the environmental impacts. As a result the
proposals by the FAA do not meet the goals Congress has defined for Next Generation
Air Transportation System. The FAA seems to care about two things: improving fuel
efficiency and increasing the number of flights out of JW airport. They have not made
an adequate effort to take into consideration the impact of Next Gen flight paths on the
communities below.
• The Draft(Environmental Analysis) EA, ignores this direction and instead limits its focus on
improving"the efficiency of the procedures and airspace utilization in the Southern California
Metroplex." There is no discussion in the"Purpose of the Proposed Action" section of anyeffort
to reduce noise, emissions or other environmental impacts.We believe that the FAA has not
given appropriate consideration to the reduction of environmental impacts, particularly noise, in
developing the airspace proposals presented in the Draft EA and that,as a result,the proposals
do not meet the goals Congress defined for NextGen.
Citation: http•//www.ocair.com/reportspublications/AccessNoise/CountyCommentLetterMetroplex.pdf
• The FAA has not adequately notified its residents. Similar to the Phoenix case and under
the National Environmental Policy Act"federal agencies must assess and disclose the
environmental impacts of"major" actions prior to taking those actions. This process
ensures that before an agency acts it will have available and carefully consider detailed
information concerning significant environment impact. Not only did the FAA fail to
conduct a detailed environmental analysis they failed to adequately notify impacted
residents and they failed and continue to fail to allow residents impacted to express
their concerns. I think I speak on behalf of most residents residing under the new flight
paths, that we were not adequately notified nor given the opportunity for input of the
noise decibel increase as a result of the FAA's Next Gen flight path changes
Potential Health Impacts of Next Gen Flight Paths:
• A 1993 study of Los Angeles International airport indicated that cardiovascular disease
increased 18% and accidental deaths increased 60%for people over 75. Suicides
doubled for people between 45 and 54. And approximately 60 more people died each
year. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23280292?dopt=Abstract
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A one standard deviation increase in daily zip-code specific pollution levels increases asthma
counts by 17%of the baseline average,total respiratory problems by 17%, and heart problems
by 9%. Infants and the elderly show a higher sensitivity to pollution fluctuations,and marginal
damages of pollution seem to be increasing in pollution for infants.At the same time, adults age
20-64 are also impacted. For respiratory problems,the general adult population accounts for
the majority of the total impacts despite the lower sensitivity to fluctuations as they are the
largest share of the population.A one standard deviation increase in pollution levels is
responsible for 540 thousand dollars in hospitalization costs for the 6 million people living within
10km of one of the 12 airports of our study.This is likely a significant lower bound as the
willingness to pay to avoid such illnesses will be higher than the Medicare reimbursement rates.
http://faculty.haas.berkeley.edu/rwalker/research/SchlenkerWalker Airports 2014.pdf)
• Plane Exhaust kills more people than plane crashes (In recent years, airplane crashes
have killed about a thousand people annually, whereas plane emissions kill about ten
thousand people each year, researchers say)
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2oio/io/ioloo5-planes-pollution-deaths-science-
environment/
• The Orange County Health Department in California published one of the most
comprehensive health related studies reviewed. It states that airport noise can
specifically cause sleep disturbance, physiological stress reaction,temporary threshold
shifts in hearing, interference with speech and communications, and psychological
distress." http://www.realestatedamage.com/Articles/PDF/AirportNoise.pdf
• An additional study, published in 2013, states that older people exposed to aircraft
noise, especially at high levels, may face increased risk of being hospitalized for
cardiovascular disease, according to a new study from Harvard School of Public Health
(HSPH) and Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH). Researchers found that,
on average, zip codes with 10-decibel higher aircraft noise had a 3.5% higher
cardiovascular hospital admission rate.This is the first major study to estimate the
association between residential exposure to aircraft noise and cardiovascular
hospitalizations, using data on the nationally representative U.S. population age 65 and
older and noise data from airports across the country.
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/aircraft-noise-linked-with-heart-
roblems
• A study released in 2014 (Conducted by the Keck School of Medicine at USC,the
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Washington and
the Department of Environmental and occupational health sciences at the University of
Washington concluded (in summary and this was also published in the LA times on May
29, 2014) concluded that takeoffs and landings at LAX are a major source of ultrafine
particles. They are being omitted over a larger area than previously thought. The study
also indicates that the air quality impact areas of major airports may have been
seriously underestimated. Ralph Delfino a UC Irvine professor who studies the health
effects of air pollution and reviewed the study was quoted in 2014 by the LA Times as
stating "this is a very novel and alarming set of results."
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/38112464 Aircraft Emission Impacts in a
Neighborhood Adjacent to a General Aviation Airport in Southern California
• The City of Newport Beach in 2010 initiated a study that was called: "Field Measurements of
Ambient Particulates and Associated Trace Elements and Hydrocarbons" (By Dr. Karleen A.Boyle
in association with the Environmental and Regulatory specialists, Inc. Study Objective:The
purpose of this study was to measure airborne concentrations of particulate pollutants,and to
characterize the chemical composition of these particles, at different locations in the city of
Newport Beach, California. The city's own study revealed that despite the minimal sample size
(n=3)the sample size still employed statistically significant differences in both particulate matter
concentrations and chemical profiles were detected between locations. The fact that any
results proved statistically significant at this level of replication suggests a larger scale sampling
project would yield useful information
http://newportbeachca.gov/Home/ShowDocument?1d=15122
Impact on Property Values:
• The published studies cited here suggest that detached single-family homes under or nearby a
final or down-wind flight corridor will suffer a measurable diminution in value.Various studies
indicate that there is a correlation between noise levels, as measured by noise contours,and the
diminution in value suffered. Further, according to the studies completed for the FAA, detached
housing tends to be impacted more than semidetached or terraced housing.The data suggests
that more expensive homes tend to be impacted more than less expensive homes.
http://www.realestatedamage.com/Articles/PDF/AirportNoise.pdf
• One of the most important studies published to date was conducted for the Federal Aviation
Administration in 1994.18 It studied three airports using a regression analysis:
Baltimore/Washington International Airport(BWI), Los Angeles International Airport(LAX),and
John F. Kennedy Airport(JFK) in New York.The results indicated a consistent negative impact on
residential property market values. http://www.realestatedamage.com/Articles/PDF/AirportNoise.pdf
CITIZENS AGAINST AIRPORT NOISE AND POLLUTION ("CAANP") REACTS TO
CITY AND FAA
CAANP, a group of citizens representing thousands within several Orange County
communities impacted by the noise and pollutants from John Wayne Airport ("JWA"),
released a statement today regarding the tentative settlement agreement between the
City of Newport Beach and the FAA.
While we appreciate the efforts of the City in filing a lawsuit against the FAA with the
intention of protecting us from any further environmental impacts from JWA and believe
that the perceived open line of communication with the FAA is a step in the right
direction, we see this tentative settlement as merely a starting point for what truly needs
to change in order to honestly protect the health and quality of life of the residents of
Orange County.
We agree with the comment by Mayor Duffield in the January 11, 2018 Daily Pilot
article that, "Protecting our community against the negative impacts of the airport is the
most important thing that we do here in Newport Beach."Where we differ is with the
conclusion drawn by an Orange County Supervisor in recent newspaper articles that
this is a "satisfactory resolution" or "a significant victory for the residents of Orange
County." To the contrary, whereas we believe that the settlement is somewhat
beneficial, merely staying within the noise monitors and following the contours of the
bay, without further modifications, will not resolve the problem and the residents will still
be subjected to excessive airport noise and pollution, with certain communities
impacted to an even larger extent.
With respect to City Attorney Aaron Harp's statement quoted in the Daily Pilot that
the settlement is an outcome "better than what could be expected had this matter gone
through trial," because, as reported by the Daily Pilot, "the trial would have focused
solely on the adequacy of the environmental assessment," one must ask how we find
ourselves in a position whereby the only outcome that could have been achieved by trial
was a determination of the adequacy of the environmental documents? How did this
become the sole basis of the legal action filed by Newport Beach and the County?
Since it doesn't appear that this settlement includes a revision of the FAA's
environmental assessment, which was the basis of the lawsuit, we are hoping that the
City will continue to recognize that the environmental impact of NextGen still needs to
be addressed.
Commercial aircraft flying on a departure path "between the existing SNA monitors,"
which is part of the new settlement, has been an established procedure for many years.
These monitors and the decibel levels were put in place for this exact purpose as part of
the 1985 Settlement Agreement. Aircraft are now flying hundreds and in some cases
thousands of feet lower according to sound requirements established over 30 years
ago. Combine this fact with the new NextGen "single, narrowed corridor" departure
procedure, and you have the "perfect storm" for the increased particulate and noise
pollution with which our communities are faced today. The merger of NextGen's
narrower corridors with the antiquated noise monitoring procedures has created a
serious threat to the environment and to the health, safety and quality of life of those
who have been impacted.
As referenced in recent newspaper articles, the premise of the lawsuit filed by
Newport Beach and later joined by Orange County was the deficiency in the FAA's
environmental impact report that concluded that the new flight paths "would not result in
any significant or reportable noise increase." As we all know, this has not been the case
and there has been a very significant and reportable noise increase that has greatly
impacted many Orange County communities. Accordingly, the tentative settlement
agreement is inadequate to resolve the excessive noise and pollution now experienced
by Orange County residents. The only resolution to these issues is to return to the prior
noise abatement procedures utilized in the past. Following the 1985 Settlement
Agreement, and for many years to follow, aircraft were instructed to take off on a
steeper, slower and quieter path to the highest permissible altitude with engine cut
backs and no additional thrusting until well over the ocean. Higher altitude departures
not only significantly reduce noise levels, but are also statistically more effective in
disbursing the ambient particulate matter exposure attributable to aircraft emissions
flying at lower altitudes, thereby reducing the associated health risks for the residents
and thousands of children attending school under or near flight paths. This was
acknowledged by Newport Beach Councilman Kevin Muldoon in a statement he made
this morning in the Orange County Register, in which he noted that the City would be
launching a public relations campaign requesting the airlines to direct their pilots to
elevate more quickly on takeoff to higher altitudes to help mitigate the noise and health
impacts of JWA departures.
We as a community anticipate total cooperation from the City as we move forward to
establish concrete goals that will in reality lead to a healthier and better quality of life.
CAANP is committed to continuing the working relationship that we have developed with
City Council Members and City Management to ensure that there are adequate
protections not only for Newport Beach, but also for other communities in Orange
County that have been environmentally impacted, including Irvine, Tustin, Yorba Linda,
Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach and other South Orange County
communities. It is our request that the Orange County Board of Supervisors, JWA, the
airlines, members of Congress, our State Representatives and the FAA work together
with us to resolve these issues and make our communities' health and welfare a priority.
We can think of no reason why our very obtainable request would not be implemented if
for nothing more than for the benefit of the health and safety of the children and
residents presently impacted by the FAA NextGen program.
While we understand that circumstances may have differed, we have seen other
communities impacted by Next Gen succeed in their challenges in making changes with
the dedicated assistance of their governmental officials. Many California
Congresspersons including Anna Eshoo and Jackie Speier are a part of the National
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Quiet Skies Coalition. Maryland's Governor, Larry Hogan, directed his attorney general
Brian Frosh to file suit against the FAA and Senator John McCain supported the
residents of Phoenix in their lawsuit against the FAA. Senator Elizabeth Warren,
acknowledging the significant increase in noise in communities near Logan Airport,
introduced the FAA Community Accountability Act to give local communities a voice in
the FAA decision-making process for flight paths, and after a year of lobbying by Point
Loma residents, the FAA has made an attempt to keep noisy air traffic away from the
peninsula's neighborhoods and landmarks by adjusting proposed departure routes. We
applaud these communities and their leaders and hope to see more of our
representatives become increasingly involved and motivated to help resolve the issues
confronting Orange County.
Our motto is, "It has been done, it can be done, it should be done."
For more information about CAANP or if you are interested in becoming involved,
please email us at info@caanp.com.
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