We wanted to make you aware of the aviation and aviation noise-related provisions that were included in the Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which was passed by Congress and signed by the President in late March.
First, the bill, which funds the government through September 2018, also extended the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Authorization until September 30, 2018.
Notably, a provision was included in the report language of the bill that directs the FAA to examine new metrics beyond DNL to determine aircraft noise impacts. Additionally, it calls for the FAA to evaluate other methods to address community airplane noise concerns, and encourages the agency to make these recommendations based on actual noise levels.
N.O.I.S.E. supports the FAA's continued review of alternative noise metrics and will continue to work with Congress and the FAA to advocate for long-term, meaningful solutions such as a metric review. We will keep you apprised of any further developments.
The Omnibus also included Federal Appropriations for the year. The FAA received $14.7 billion in discretionary appropriation and a total of $18 billion in budgetary resources including outlays from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. This is a $1.6 billion increase from fiscal year 2017. The Omnibus dedicated $1.27 billion for the FAA NextGen technology upgrade and modernization investments, which is $238.9 million more than fiscal 2017.
The Omnibus also includes new $1 billion discretionary grants for airports, particularly in small and rural areas.
Finally, the Omnibus provided $165 million for the Contract Tower program, directing the Transportation Department to accelerate new towers' entry into the program.
The reauthorization until September 30, 2018, gives Congress more time to negotiate numerous key aviation policy issues important to the aviation industry that may be included in a long-term authorization bill.