NOISE CONTROL LAW AMENDED

01/01/2003

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On 25 November 2002, the Legislative Yuan passed amendments to the Noise Control Law. The main points are as follows:

The central competent authority for military aviation should, in consultation with local governments, draw up aviation noise im-provement plans for aerodromes used exclu-sively for the takeoff and landing of military aircraft, and adopt suitable noise prevention and control measures.

Local governments should review and adjust existing land use and development plans for land within aviation noise control zones, in accordance with the following principles:

1.Class 1 aviation noise control zones: the local government should review existing land use and development plans.

2.Class 2 control zones: the building of educational establishments, libraries and medical facilities is prohibited.

3.Class 3 control zones: the building of educational establishments, libraries and medical facilities is prohibited, and such zones may not be designated as residential zones.

If the use of noise-reducing building materials can maintain aviation noise levels indoors below 55 decibels night and day, then schools, libraries and medical facilities may be built within such zones with the permission of the local competent authority.

(Note: Under the Regulations for the Prevention and Control of Aviation Noise in the Vicinity of Airfields, the criteria for defining aviation noise control zones are as follows: Class 1 aviation noise control zones are areas in which nighttime and daytime levels of aviation noise exceed 60 decibels but do not exceed 65 decibels; Class 2 zones are areas in which such aviation noise levels exceed 65 decibels but not 75 decibels; and Class 3 zones are areas in which they exceed 75 decibels.)