Flightseeing Noise Study Overiew

This page is a chronological compilation of links to material related to CBJ efforts to address the question of flightseeing noise leading up to the publication of the Flightseeing Noise Study in January 2001.

  • September 21, 1999 –Citizen Information Gathering Meeting on Flightseeing Noise
  • October 26, 1999 — Roundtable Discussion

February 11, 2000 — Planning and Policy Committee considers a package of solutions and identifies short-term and long-term options.

The new Assembly Planning and Policy Committee (PPC) was the latest in a series of committees to deal with the issue of flightseeing noise in more than a decade. Previously, the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) Assembly had directed a number of committees to identify solutions, including the Ad Hoc Floatplane and Tour Ship Noise Study Committee in 1988 and the Ad Hoc Noise Abatement Study Committee in 1992. And in 1997, the Tourism Advisory Committee (TAC) addressed the problem by establishing guidelines in its Voluntary Compliance Program that would minimize the impacts of flightseeing noise. The TAC also identified this complex issue as one that would receive its priority attention and an in-depth analysis in 1999. DETAIL OF ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE

February 28, 2000 — Public Forum Addresses Flightseeing Voluntary Compliance Measures.

The Planning and Policy Committee (PPC) and the Tourism Advisory Committee (TAC) met with citizens to discuss flightseeing voluntary compliance measures for the 2000 tourism season. They also took input on the Assembly’s short- to mid-range actions to address flightseeing noise. The meeting followed a work session with flightseeing operators earlier in the month in which operators reviewed their voluntary compliance activities in previous years. They also briefed PPC members on their plans to improve voluntary compliance measures in a joint effort to alleviate more of the noise impact. DETAIL OF ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE

May 2, 2000 — 2000 Voluntary Compliance Measures

The Voluntary Compliance Program provides guidelines intended to minimize impacts of tourism in a manner that addresses both community and industry concerns. The guidelines are a cooperative effort of the Planning and Policy Committee, the Tourism Advisory Committee, and local tour operators. DETAIL OF ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE

July 27, 2000 — Flightseeing Noise Study First Public Meeting

The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) commissioned a flightseeing noise study to gather scientific data on the level, location, and effects of flightseeing noise on the community. BridgeNet International, an acoustical engineering firm, conducted the baseline noise measurements and the analysis, which was the first of its kind undertaken by the CBJ. At this facilitated public meeting the consultant sought input from the community regarding prime locations for sound monitoring, as well as the number of monitoring sites. DETAIL OF ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE

September 21, 2000 — Flightseeing Noise Study Second Public Meeting

The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) commissioned a flightseeing noise study early in the summer of 2000 to gather scientific data on the level, location, and effects of flightseeing noise on the community. BridgeNet International, an acoustical engineering firm, conducted the baseline noise measurements during the month of August and presented a preliminary analysis of the results at this meeting. DETAIL OF ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE

January 25, 2001— Final Draft of the Flightseeing Noise Study Released (sections all linked on previous page).