Great Falls International Airport entered the Residential Sound Insulation Program (RSIP) to reduce noise inside homes most affected by air traffic.

The Program goals are to:

• Promote compatible land use for homes within the Noise Boundary.

• Protect the aviation operating environment.

• Improve the quality of living environment around the airport.

Pilot Phase Homes - 2010 Construction Season
The Pilot Phase completed sound insulation improvements in 12 homes, representing the variety of housing in the Noise Boundary. Noise treatment included installing sound-rated windows and doors, and providing air exchange and updating heating and cooling systems so that windows can remain closed all year.

Phase 1 Homes - 2011 Construction Season
Phase 1 completed sound insulation improvements in 60-homes in the noisiest area of the Noise Boundary. Noise treatment included installing sound-rated windows and doors, and providing air exchange and updating heating and cooling systems so that windows can remain closed all year.

Phase 2 Homes - 2012 Construction Season
Phase 2 homes have been selected and are currently being assessed. Design will follow assessment and bids are planned to be opened in April. Construction is expected to start in the fall on the 30 homes included in Phase 2.

Future Phases
The Great Falls International Airport and the Stelling Engineers Design Team continue to seek federal funding for future phases. Homeowners will be notified when their home has been selected for the next phase of treatment.

Historic and Environmental Issues
As with any federally-funded project, environmental impacts must be considered prior to building improvements. For the RSIP, this work primarily consists of considering if homes have historical integrity. Historical integrity is being considered through a historic review process that considers all homes built prior to 1965 (50 years prior to project completion in 2015).

The historic review process began in January 2010 with State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) concurrence in 2011. 24 homes, deemed significant by SHPO, will have acoustical improvements that maintain their historical appearance and integrity.