Public Input for Airport's Amended Noise Compatibility Program

The Dane County Regional Airport is re-submitting an amended noise compatibility program to the FAA. 

"In August 2025, Dane County Regional Airport voluntarily withdrew its previously submitted NCP Draft. By withdrawing NCP draft, which hadn’t been finalized or published in the Federal Register by the FAA, Dane County Regional Airport is able to revise and resubmit the NCP with changes that will better position the airport to receive federal noise mitigation funding."

As part of this process, the airport is holding 3 public open houses for folks to speak with airport officials, learn more about the NCP updates and ask questions. "We've scheduled multiple dates to accommodate a variety of schedules, so you only need to attend one."

• Open House 1 - Thursday, November 6, 2025
  6:30pm - 8:30pm
  Airport Terminal Lobby between Doors 1 and 2
• Open House 2 - Friday, November 7, 2025
  10:00am - 12:00pm
  Airport Terminal Lobby between Doors 1 and 2
• Open House 3 - Saturday, November 8, 2025
  9:30am - 11:30am
  Madison College | 1701 Wright Street
  Welcome Center / Atrium; enter from Wright Street

There will also be a public hearing for the amended draft NCP:

• Public Hearing - Tuesday, November 18, 2025
  5:30pm
  Airport Conference Room 1
  Near Baggage Claim 3 and Terminal Door 6

"Your feedback on the amended NCP is vital. Please join us at one of the three open houses, or submit your comments directly to the Part 150 Noise Study team via email at Part150Study@msnairport.com. The amended draft NCP document will be available for public review and comment from October 24, 2025 to November 24, 2025. Public comments will be accepted throughout the review period." -Airport Part 150 Noise Study Page 

At this page you can also find more details on the Part 150 Noise Study, PDF's of the amended NCP draft and summary of changes, and all details on the upcoming public engagement opportunities.

 "Papko, who became airport director last month, cited several reasons for the withdrawal, including a lack of coordination with surrounding partners, the need to ensure all noise mitigation measures are truly feasible, and, most importantly, the absence of FAA funding opportunities under the current plan." - August Dane Co Press Release

With this amended NCP Draft, the airport has re-started their Noise Mitigation Subcommittee, and the Airport Commission voted to have the District 12 Alder serve on that committee. I look forward to being a real source of connection between District 12 residents and the Airport, as you all are most impacted by the airport and deserve a voice when it comes to noise mitigation.

The timeline for all of these changes has been very tight so far, especially with the upcoming holidays, but urgency of this timeline would allow the airport to start applying for noise mitigation funding in the next cycle (mid-late 2026) instead of having to wait an additional year.

The only changes have been to include more noise mitigation options, adding back several short and medium term possibilities. The previous draft plan was limited to runway configuration changes, which will potentially take decades to implement. 

All the best,

Alder Matthews