The 47-Year history of the City of Portland, Oregon's noise review board and its successful model of addressing community noise issues

The City of Portland Oregon has a successful history of over 40 years of operating a quasi-judicial Noise Review Board to help address and resolve urban environmental noise pollution. This paper explores the successes and failures of the unique Noise Review Board. The paper notes the potential for use of this governmental approach to address community noise in other large and medium sized cities. The Portland Noise Review Board is 6 members. It includes three technical professionals and three citizens at large to collaborate on noise in the urban environment. The technical professionals are 1) a professional in the Acoustical Sciences 2) A professional from the construction industry, and 3) the acoustical expert for the City of Portland , their Noise Control Officer. The Noise Control Officer is a non-voting member and staffs the government board. The five voting members administer quasi-judicial code decisions and offer the City's elected officials an experienced body to address environmental noise issues. The Noise Review Board plays a key role in the urban planning of Portland by offering guidance to the City Council on emerging sources of noise pollution, such as garbage trucks, leaf blowers, outdoor concert venues, and the Portland International Raceway.