By Jan Axelson
Northside News
The Dane County Regional Airport will be taking a fresh look at ways to reduce the impact of noise on the community. In August, the airport announced they would withdraw the draft 2024 Noise Compatibility Program document previously submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
In July, the airport came under new direction with the hiring of Mark Papko as airport director. In a press release, Papko stated the plan would be revised with a goal of recommending actions that are feasible and likely to be funded. Another priority is coordinating with partners and speaking as a collective group.
Safe Skies Clean Water Wisconsin is a nonprofit that tried without success to improve the current plan as it was being prepared. Treasurer Steve Klafka stated, “I’m surprised and happy to see the airport revoke its draft noise abatement plan.” Flaws the group pointed out include relying on voluntary changes to flight patterns and ignoring impacts of short, loud bursts of noise that occur during takeoffs and effects of lower-level noise.
County Executive Melissa Agard agrees with the airport’s action stating, “reviewing the plan and resubmitting it makes sense to ensure we can apply to every federal funding opportunity available to help reduce noise inside eligible homes located near the airport.”
Agard believes getting the airport’s strategic planning documents aligned will place the county in a stronger position to pursue funding options. These may include short-term measures, such as better windows and insulation of homes, and long-term measures, such as runway changes.
