Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 28, 1995 TAG: 9503280057
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Roanoke Regional Airport Commission applied last month for a $400,000 federal grant to implement the first phase of its noise-abatement program. That money, along with $44,444 in state funds, would be used for design, engineering and consulting services needed to start the program.
The commission, however, doesn't expect the application to fly.
That's because the Federal Aviation Administration faces cuts in funding for its airport improvement program. The FAA says that smaller airports such as the Roanoke Valley's will be a low priority for funding in the event of cuts, airport spokesman Mark Courtney said.
Nevertheless, the airport filed an application for funding on a "just-in-case" basis at the FAA's suggestion, Courtney said.
"Everything is up in the air," he said.
Holly Baker, a spokesman for the FAA Eastern Regional Office in New York, said the FAA hasn't heard what funding will be for the coming fiscal year or if there will be cuts.
As part of its noise-relief efforts, the airport has identified 217 homes that are affected by noise from planes landing or taking off. Two hundred of those homes are southwest of the airport in the vicinity of Countryside Golf Course.
Possible solutions include soundproofing homes or compensating homeowners for the loss of value in their homes through the purchase of navigation easements, Courtney said.
The consultant estimated in 1993 that it would cost $4 million to fully implement noise-reduction measures for the airport.
The airport gets noise complaints regularly, but most are centered around single events such as visits by military aircraft, Courtney said.
The federal airport-improvement programs are funded through user fees on airline tickets and cargo, not general tax revenue. Still, Courtney said, the funds can be used to make the federal deficit look smaller.
There is tremendous pressure to reduce government funding for airports, Courtney said. Some groups have proposed that the user fees be used to make the air traffic control system private and to pay FAA salaries, he said.
The airport is fighting for continued funding of the airport improvement program and making another kind of noise, Courtney said.
"We are working with Congress and contributing our voice to the din," he said.
by CNB