ISSUE
NOI‐4
per the National Environmental Policy Act to determine and mitigate
adverse impacts of changed activity which includes an assessment of noise
on the surrounding community.
Noise During Week of Statewide Spring Testing in
Schools
Concern that noise from low‐level overflight has a
detrimental impact on statewide Spring student testing
in schools.
Existing Tools
National Environmental Policy Act Assessment Requirement
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires every agency
including the DOD to undergo an assessment of a proposed activity and its
potential impacts on the nearby environment. Depending on the magnitude
of the change in mission, the DOD must have an environmental assessment
(EA) or an environmental impact statement (EIS) that identifies all the
possible adverse effects on the environment with the proposed new
mission. This assessment evaluates numerous factors including noise and air
quality and determines how much of an effect the proposed activity will
have on the environment and if it can be mitigated.
Compatibility Assessment
The numerous airspaces around Seymour Johnson AFB and the DCR
generate noise from overflight. Noise been proven to impact learning and
concentration, especially in school‐aged children. Overflight is a concern
during statewide spring testing in schools which can impact students.
The Public Schools of North Carolina, State Board of Education, Department
of Public Instruction requires statewide assessment testing in early March
for Third through Eighth Grades. These tests are designed to assess the
students’ progress in learning, abilities including writing and science, and to
assess their development level to better prepare students, faculty, and the
education system.
It is unknown if the DOD involves potentially impacted schools in such
planning endeavors, but it is likely the DOD requests the participation of all
potentially affected stakeholders including school districts. While the DOD
may involve local school districts, it may not involve the State Education
Department. It should also be noted this EAs or EISs are typically isolated to
installations or bases, and do not necessarily consider airspaces, especially
MTRs.
Aircraft noise can potentially impact concentration for these types of testing
activities and cause a distraction form student focus on testing materials.
Though the noise impacts have not been documented, in a worst case
scenario, aircraft overflight could result in lower test scores among children;
however, it highly unlikely in this area due to the noise being frequent and
routine.
Department of Defense Noise Working Group: Technical
Bulletin – Community Annoyance Caused by Noise from Military
Aircraft Operations
The DNWG’s Technical Bulletin published in December 2009 outlines the
noise model for which to measure noise and what decibel levels the noise
becomes an annoyance. However, it is noted in the Bulletin that even the
points at which a noise becomes intolerable is different for every individual
and situation.
It should be noted, though, Seymour Johnson AFB has not significantly
altered its mission in the last five years. Additionally, the Air Force has
updated its Comprehensive Plan for the DCR to account for new missions.
However, it is important to note that prior to any realignments by the DOD
including new missions, the DOD conducts an investigation and assessment
Background Report
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