Airport Noise & the Community
Citizens Advisory Task Force
The City of Richmond created the Richmond Airport Noise Citizens Advisory Task Force in April 2008 recognition that there may be opportunities to improve the current process for addressing public concerns related to airport and aircraft noise generated by operations at Vancouver International Airport.
The Task Force will advise Council by providing a City forum for the discussion, consideration and generation of possible solutions to aeronautical noise and aircraft flight path issues affecting the City of Richmond.
The Task Force held two public meetings in January and February 2009 to hear the concerns of residents. An on-line comment form was also available. The Task Force is has now compiled the feedback and developed recommendations to address the identified concerns.
The draft recommendations will be presented for public feedback at an open house to be held Wednesday, October 28, 2009 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Richmond City Hall. If you cannot attend the open house, you can review the list of the recommendations and the full draft report here and provide your feedback using the on-line comment form by November 9, 2009.
Thank you for your feedback. The final report of the Task Force is anticipated to be presented to Council in December 2009.
Airport Authority Noise Management Program
The Vancouver International Airport Authority manages noise concerns through a comprehensive noise management program. The following initiatives are in place to make sure neighbouring communities are safe and enjoyable places to live:
- Published noise reduction procedures
- An airport noise monitoring and flight tracking system
- A complaint management and response log
- A special YVR Aeronautical Noise Management Committee
To voice your concerns, call the YVR Noise Line at 604-207-7097, e-mail noise@yvr.ca, or use the “Contact Us” tool on their website: www.yvr.ca.
The YVR Noise Line operates 24 hours a day. A complainant can leave a message or speak to an operations centre representative. Each message or call is logged into a database and tracked by number. If the complaint needs more examination, it will be investigated by YVR’s Community and Environmental Affairs Department, who will call the complainant back the following business day.
YVR Aeronautical Noise Management Committee
This committee meets quarterly to discuss noise management issues, while also providing recommendations on noise management practices.
The YVR Aeronautical Noise Management Committee consists of a different cross-section of groups: citizen representatives from Richmond, Vancouver, and Delta; all levels of government; the Musqueam Indian Band; the airlines; industry associations; Nav Canada (air traffic control); and different departments of the Airport Authority. For more information see http://yvr.ca/authority/community/an_mgmt.asp.
