Update: September 5, 2019
The first Southern San Fernando Valley Airplane Noise Task Force met on August 28 to address VNY and BUR issues.
TASK FORCE MEETING RECAP
Background
The first of six meetings of the Southern San Fernando Valley Airplane Noise Task Force was held on Wednesday, August 28th. Given an extensive and persistent public outcry due to the sudden and alarming presence of aircraft over parts of Studio City, Toluca Lake, Sherman Oaks, Encino, and Mulholland ridge communities, last March Senators Feinstein and Harris, and Representatives Sherman and Schiff called for the formation of a panel or task force to address the problem at Van Nuys (VNY) and Burbank (BUR) airports.
At their behest, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA/VNY) and Burbank Airport Authority (BUR) formed this Task Force to address unprecedented numbers of community noise complaints (along with mounting health, fire, and environmental issues) due to changes in flight patterns at both airports. The Task Force’s goal is a proposal to be implemented by necessary parties (e.g., aircraft operators, airlines, airports, FAA) to alleviate the crisis. This should occur irrespective of the upcoming environmental assessment of two proposed changes to BUR RNAV departure routes.
Meeting Recap
An overflow crowd of nearly 300 residents packed the meeting room at the Burbank Marriott hotel. Interested/concerned citizens represented numerous adversely affected communities including Toluca Lake, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Encino, and Bel Air.
Task Force Composition
As constituted by Burbank Authority in conjunction with LAWA, there are 13 Task Force members. These include 8 voting members: (a) Councilmembers Krekorian (CD2 Studio City), Ryu (CD4 Sherman Oaks and Toluca Lake), Koretz (CD5 Encino), and Martinez (CD6 Van Nuys); and (b) Other city representatives which include the mayor and vice-mayor of Burbank, and mayors of Glendale and Pasadena.
In addition, there are are 5 non-voting federal representatives from offices of Sen Feinstein, Sen Harris, Rep Sherman, Rep Schiff, and Rep Cardenas.
Burbank and Van Nuys airport staff, and FAA representatives sit apart from the panel and are available for technical assistance. .
The fact that there are no community representatives was raised at this meeting; Task Force members agreed to consider such an addition.
Community Input
During the 3 hour meeting, 72 community members signed up to speak during public comment for 90 seconds each. Many people repeatedly held up signs saying "FIX IT NOW" during speaker remarks. Comments from speakers included the following frequently repeated themes:
Noise, Health, and Quality of Life
1. Community concerns and frustration with the continuing frequency and intensity of severe abusive daily noise and pollution from very low flying jets over homes and schools. Speakers stated this is an unprecedented, significant change for communities south of the 101 freeway — not near either airport — that never before experienced such abuse.
2. Current jet paths are now concentrated over homes and schools in the Santa Monica Mountains, which amplifies and extends the intensity of jet engine sounds.
3. Residents' lives are now being substantially, adversely impacted by both Burbank and Van Nuys airport traffic.
4. In addition to physical health issues, many spoke of the adverse impact on emotional health (sleep, ability to work, concentrate, talk at normal levels inside and outside the home) and how the intense noise has been ruinous to quality of life. Some people spoke of possibly selling their homes; several expressed concerned about diminution in property value due to the continuing noise; others shared how the quiet neighborhood to which they were attracted has been hugely disrupted and changed by re-routed jet aircraft.
Safety and Fire
5. Concern about the very real potential fire danger from an aviation crash in the high and very high Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ), as designated by the State of California, of the Santa Monica Mountains and foothills, over which Burbank and Van Nuys jets now fly.
FAA Actions In Re-routing Departure Paths
6. FAA revised departure paths without regard to where they shifted routes: flying very low and making turns in elevated terrain over the Santa Monica Mountain hillside communities:
departures from both airports over Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Encino, and south of Mulholland communities;
windy day reversals in which BUR arrivals fly even lower over Santa Monica Mountains
These actions were taken without notice to affected communities and without accounting for the increased challenges for pilots flying over mountain terrain, the sound-amplifying nature of the terrain, and the significance of the fire hazard zone across the southern end of the Valley in the Santa Monica Mountains, on both sides of Mulholland Drive.
7. Frustration and concern about the FAA's ignoring a policy not to shift noise to new areas-- which is exactly what they did.
8. Frustration was expressed with stated FAA Metroplex goals to promote efficiency, safety, and fuel savings. Long extended take offs south when destinations are usually north and east, and a high volume of low planes over designated fire hazard areas and health impact from horrendous noise and toxic emissions contradict this position.
9. Several speakers challenged FAA previously stated intentions --about saving and making money, and saving airlines fuel cost and promoting airport expansion at community expense.
10. Frustration was expressed about apparent denial that there has been a change that has adversely affected communities, or that the FAA and airport authority representatives don't know why the change occurred.
FIX IT NOW -- Suggestions to Correct the Departure Routes
Return immediately to historical flight paths (pre-2016 changes) which include turning sooner upon take-off (and over natural noise corridors), ascending to higher altitudes faster (steeper climb immediately), and dispersal.
NBCLA4 reports on Task Force which includes members of LA City Council and reps from Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena.
ABC7LA reports that over 200 residents attended the over-capacity room. Residents were turned away from entering.