Sound Insulation Program

Since its inception, CEE has been the primary consultant for the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) to implement the Sound Insulation Program (SIP), the goal of which was to reduce noise in the homes surrounding the airport by 5 decibels. Beginning in 1992, CEE successfully administered the completion of 7800 homes.

Completed in 2006, the program was designed to preserve and improve neighborhoods closely surrounding the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport by making the internal environment of a home more compatible with external aircraft noise. The program provided such services as community/homeowner relations, indoor air quality testing, and design and construction management.

Treatments were provided for homes up to the 65 noise contour. The 5 decibel noise reduction package consisted of window and door treatments, additional insulation in attics and sidewalls of the homes, and central air conditioning

In 2007, a settlement agreement was reached between MAC and the cities of Minneapolis, Richfield and Eagan to extend the area of eligibility for sound insulation treatments. Full treatment packages will be provided for the homes in the 63 and 64 noise contours and lesser levels of treatment for those out to the 60 noise contour.

Because of a judicial decree, strict timelines have been established for the completion of each phase of the program:

• Phase 1, consisting of 454 houses within the 63 / 64 noise contours, must be completed by December 31, 2009.
• Phase 2A, consisting of 2833 houses within the 60 - 62 noise contours, provides central air conditioning plus $4,000 of optional noise reduction treatments, must start in December 2008 and be completed by December 1, 2012. (The homes in phase 2A may opt instead to receive the $14,000 worth of treatments without air conditioning).
• Phase 2B, consisting of 2515 houses within the 60 - 62 noise contours, will be provided $14,000 of optional noise reduction treatments, must start in January 2009 and be completed by December 1, 2012.
• Phase 3, consisting of roughly 3000 houses, will provide reimbursements to homeowners for noise reduction treatments provided on their own. The reimbursements must begin in March 2010 and be completed by the end of 2014 and will be dictated by the MAC’s annual budget.
  

For more information, go to the MAC web site: www.macnoise.com

If you have questions or concerns about the Program, contact Chuck Rogers, Sound Insulation Program Manager, at 612-861-9051 or at crogers@mncee.org.