Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Bill Advances with Noise Provisions

We wanted you to be aware of the following actions taken by Congress recently regarding the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization bill.

House Bill:

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved the bill H.R. 2997 on June 27, 2017 to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by a vote of 32-25 and now the measure has been sent to the full House of Representatives for consideration.

The bill has faced a series of delays, however, due to a controversial proposal to spin off air traffic control (ATC) into a nongovernmental entity. The committee vote was nearly along party lines with just one Republican voting against the measure. House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) has been the biggest proponent of the air traffic proposal. In fact, Chairman Shuster proposed a similar measure in the last Congress to rework ATC, but the legislation never received a floor vote in the House of Representatives.

The bill would reauthorize the FAA through Fiscal Year 2023. The agency's current authorization is set to expire on September 30, 2017. President Trump has endorsed privatizing ATC. His administration included a privatization proposal in its Fiscal Year 2018 budget request. The bill is not currently scheduled for a vote in the House.

In a show of opposition, the House Appropriations Committee approved a spending bill for Fiscal Year 2018 during a full committee markup on July 17, 2017, by a vote of 31-20. The bill opposes the proposal in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on privatizing ATC and would add $1 billion to the NextGen program for the purpose of modernizing ATC within the Federal Aviation Administration.

This creates a division in the House Majority over the ATC privatization proposal.

We are pleased to share that a number of amendments have been offered to the House reauthorization proposal to combat airport noise problems.

The bill would require the FAA to conduct several studies on aviation noise, including:

  • Partnering with a higher education institutions to assess the health effects of flight noise on residents near airports in major metro areas such as Boston, Chicago, New York, northern and southern California, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C. Adverse health effects could include sleep disturbance and elevated blood pressure. The study would also have to compare residents' perceived increases in-flight noise to actual noise data.

  • Recommending whether land use compatibility guidelines around airports should be modified.

  • Increasing community involvement in NextGen technology upgrade projects near metro areas.

  • The Government Accountability Office (GAO) would have to study the effect of phasing out large aircraft classified as stage 3 in the FAA's noise rating system, which doesn't meet current standards for new planes.

The bill would also establish a pilot program for the Transportation Department to give grants of as much as $2.5 million each to as many as six airports for noise mitigation projects within a five-mile radius. Participating airports would be subject to a 50 percent matching requirement. The Transportation Department's airport noise mitigation grant program would also be expanded to include projects at schools near airports.

It would also allow airport operators to request that the FAA consider methods of aircraft separation that set planes on different flight paths to reduce noise when proposing a new departure procedure, or modifying one that would put aircrafts less than 6,000 feet above noise sensitive areas.

In addition to these proposals, the House Appropriation Committee included support for Noise abatement efforts in its Transportation Housing and Urban Development spending bill, which read:

"The committee is encouraged by the additional measures the FAA is taking to enhance outreach to communities affected by new flightpaths. The committee recommendation includes an additional $2,000,000 to support the FAA's ongoing efforts to address community noise concerns."

Senate Bill:

In addition to House Appropriators, the ATC privatization faces skepticism among Senators as Senator John Thune (R-SD), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, released his own, more traditional FAA reauthorization, S. 1405, that would keep ATC under the prevue of the Federal Aviation Administration. The measure passed in the Senate Committee on a voice vote. Any proposal to rework ATC would face an even higher threshold in the Senate as it would require bipartisan support of 60 votes to advance.

We are pleased to share that in the Senate bill process, N.O.I.S.E. worked closely with Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to help draft and provide amendment language to the bill regarding flexibility for Sound Insulation criteria and funding. Though the amendment wasn't accepted during Mark-up, the Senator's office is working on an amendment to be introduced when the bill is considered on the Senate floor.

We will be sure to keep updating N.O.I.S.E. members on developments. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us directly at ejtranter@locklaw.com.

Emily Tranter

Administration Releases Budget - Calls for Privatizing Air-Traffic Control

We wanted you to be aware that on Thursday, March 16th, the President released his first preliminary budget request. As part of his plan, he has called for a shift in the air traffic control function of the Federal Aviation Administration to an independent, non-governmental organization. The preliminary budget did not include specific plan regarding the structure of a Private Air Traffic Control System.

The privatization of the Air Traffic Control System will need to be considered and debated in Congress. The effort failed last year in Congress, but is expected to be reintroduced again this year. The proposal introduced in 2015 by Representative Bill Shuster (R-PA), the Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, would have created a board made up of airline and other aviation stakeholders to oversee a new air-traffic corporation. Under Chairman Shuster's proposal from last year, the system would be funded by fees paid by aircraft operator instead of the current taxes on fuel and airline tickets. The FAA would continue to oversee safety and set aviation regulations.

We will be sure to keep updating N.O.I.S.E. members on developments. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us directly at ejtranter@locklaw.com.

Emily Tranter

ALERT -- Legislative Summit Agenda

Dear N.O.I.S.E. Members:

In anticipation of this year's N.O.I.S.E. Legislative Summit, we wanted to send an agenda with details on the day's events. For this year's agenda, click here!

This year we are extremely excited to be joined by Julie Marks, the newly appointed, Air Traffic Organization's Community Involvement Manager for Airspace Projects at the FAA. Ms. Marks will give a presentation about her role and the FAA's work on community involvement and will also participate in a Q&A.

This will present attendees with a unique opportunity to discuss FAA policy and share local perspectives and background with Ms. Marks. Our agenda will also include presentations by N.O.I.S.E. staff and stakeholders on proposed legislative priorities for 2017 and an overview of developments in health-impacts studies of aviation noise.

Join us and make sure that your voice is heard!

The event will be on Monday, March 13th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm in the Jefferson Room at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington D.C. This is a free event. Then join us afterward for an Airport N.O.I.S.E. reception from 4:00pm to 5:00pm in the Johnson Room of the Marriott Wardman Park for appetizers and refreshments.

Please feel free to bring additional guests and colleagues.

Please RSVP to our N.O.I.S.E. Communications Director Vince Spinner (vmspinner@locklaw.com) to register. 

We look forward to seeing you all there!

Policy Summit and Community Involvement Workshop Agenda

We wanted to remind you that N.O.I.S.E. will be hosting our annual Policy Summit and Community Involvement Workshop next week at the National League of Cities Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, November 16. The complete agenda for the event can be found by clicking here. 

The meeting, from 9:00am to 1:00pm, will be held in room 335 of the David Lawrence Convention Center. Additionally, N.O.I.S.E. staff will be in the room answering questions from 9:00am-4:00pm. After the workshop, N.O.I.S.E. will be hosting a reception with refreshments from 4:00pm-5:00pm in room 336.Please feel free to bring additional guests and colleagues.

Registration is free, so please email N.O.I.S.E. Communications Director, Vince Spinner at vmspinner@locklaw.com to register. 

This year's event will feature updates on federal policy that impacts air traffic control changes, as well as presentations from airport noise officers and community advocates who are on the front lines of aviation noise policy.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with industry experts and your fellow communities to learn more about how you can work towards solutions to the negative impacts of aviation noise on your community. This event is Free to Register and again, please feel free to bring your neighbors and colleagues.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or need additional information.

 Emily Tranter

 National Coordinator

National Organization to Insure a Sound-Controlled Environment (N.O.I.S.E.)

FAA Releases Draft Advisory Circular

We wanted to make you aware that the FAA recently published a draft of Advisory Circular 150/5050-4A, Community Involvement in Airport Planning." They are accepting comments through November 8th. The advisory circular and instructions for commenting can be found on the FAA's website by clicking here and the individual documents are also provided at the bottom of this notice.

Advisory Circulars (AC) provide guidance for airports and the aviation industry for compliance with federal aviation regulations. They are intended to describe acceptable strategies for meeting regulatory requirements, however, the content of advisory circulars are typically informative (advisory) and not regulatory in nature.

Advisory Circular 150/5050-4A provides guidance for community involvement in airport planning projects. The previous version of this document was published in 1975.

Updates to this AC are evidence of the recent shift in FAA's approach toward community involvement and increasing recognition of the need to understand and address community impacts associated with changes in airports and airspace. N.O.I.S.E. has been a strong and long-time advocate for better community engagement consideration of community impacts associated with airport projects.

We will be submitting comments on behalf of our membership, but if members would like to submit comments or have questions please let us know. Links to the advisory circular, instructions for commenting, and the comment form are provided below. The deadline for comments is November 8th.

Massport (Boston, MA) and FAA Work to Reduce Overflight Noise

We are excited to share an update on efforts currently being taken to help deal with airport noise issues. 

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced their results after months of collaboration to develop test projects that are designed to help address the noise issues that residents face because of aircraft flight procedures. The two agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding to move forward in examining opportunities to incrementally reduce noise through changes or amendments to Performance Based Navigation.

According to the press release, the FAA and Massport are committing to: (1) analyze the feasibility, (2) measure/model the benefits/impacts of, and (3) test and develop an implementation plan which will include environmental analysis and community/public outreach. The FAA and the Authority will agree to each party's specific roles, responsibilities and contributions as part of a test program to reduce overflight noise at Boston Logan International Airport that is related to the FAA's implementation of Performance Based Navigation procedures, including RNAV. N.O.I.S.E. staff will continue to closely monitor this effort and will update members with any pertinent information, including any analysis or plan that is released as a result of this project. To read the FAA's press release, click here.

This cooperation, which as they state is a first-in-the-nation project between the FAA and an airport operator, will also include participation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the local Community Advisory Committee, and has garnered support from several members of Congress.

Please click here to read the full press release and if you have any questions or comments, please contact us directly at ejtranter@locklaw.com.

FAA Community Involvement Manual has been Released

The FAA Community Involvement Manual has been released and a link to the manual can be found below. 

As set forth in the FY2015 Omnibus Bill, which was passed in December of 2015, included language that called for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to provide their updated Community Involvement Manual to Congress. N.O.I.S.E. applauds this Congressional action to help communities affected by aviation noise and is please that that the report has been publicly released.

The FAA, upon the release of the Updated Community Involvement Manual, had this to say:

"The views of communities-including local residents, the general public, and stakeholders-are important to the FAA as we take the next steps to advance the national aviation system. The FAA Community Involvement Manual reaffirms FAA's commitment to give the public an opportunity to be informed, become involved, and have their concerns and views considered and provides guidance for FAA employees who are involved in planning, conducting, or approving aviation actions that may raise concerns within a community. We received significant advice and input through more than 40 interviews with local community groups, airports, aviation associations, and consultants. We also had the benefit of recommendations and specific suggestions from the NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC). The contribution of these organizations and individuals was critical in ensuring that a balance of perspectives and experiences were considered and are reflected in this manual.  Please feel free to share this with whomever would be interested"

To view the Community Involvement Manual, Click Here. 

FAA Current Authorization Extended until 2017

Congressional Leaders in both the House and Senate have reached a bipartisan agreement to extend the current authorization on Federal Aviation Administration operations at current funding levels through September 2017. The goal would be to reach agreement on a long-term reauthorization bill in that time frame. The bill, which has passed both the House and the Senate, was a typical extension reached at the last minute before the current authorization expires on July 15. The extension is designed to ensure continuity in necessary airlines services similar to the previous extension deal. The bill extends the $3.35 billion authorized from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund annually that was agreed upon in the last six-month extension. The one-year agreement is also designed to avoid disruptions to grant payouts in the federal Airport Improvement Program that funds capital projects at airports while the details of a longer-term bill are being worked out. Most policy provisions that were included in the previous drafts and Senate-passed version of the reauthorization, including transforming air-traffic control into a private or non-profit entity or altering air certification standards, were not addressed in this yearlong extension with an eye towards passing the bill before the deadline.

 

The compromise does not include any new policy provisions, including airport noise provisions that were strongly advocated by N.O.I.S.E. There is an exception which includes language issuing new regulations for drone usage and for streamlining airport security. Most new policy initiatives will be worked out in the next long-term FAA reauthorization bill. Read more about the extension's provisions here.

 

N.O.I.S.E. staff will continue to advocate for noise provisions to be included in any long-term reauthorization agreement and will continue to monitor this situation and update N.O.I.S.E. members on any pertinent information. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us directly at ejtranter@locklaw.com. 

 

Save the Date -- PBN Working Group Webinar Tuesday July 26 @11AM EST

N.O.I.S.E. PBN Working Group Webinar
Join us for a webinar on July 26, 2016 at 11:00 AM EST.
Save the Date!

Please join us for a N.O.I.S.E. PBN Working Group Webinar with special guest Jason Schwartz to hear his insight on how to operate successful noise offices. 

Jason currently works as the senior noise analyst for Portland International Airport and President of Aviation Compatibility Consulting. In his position, Jason works to respond to citizens' concerns while monitoring aircraft noise, educating the public about noise issues, and providing technical information regarding aircraft operations and noise levels. 

These webinars are a great opportunity for airport-impacted communities and stakeholders to convene regularly and get updates on airport noise and community impact issues related to the FAA's NextGen system and Performance Based Navigation (PBN). These quarterly webinars feature updates from N.O.I.S.E. leadership, staff and our organization's partners.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

As July 26 approaches we will send out all the information for the webinar including a link to join the discussion and information calling in to ask questions.

We hope you will be able to join us. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me directly at ejtranter@locklaw.com. 

Sincerely,

Emily Tranter
National Coordinator
National Organization to Insure a Sound-Controlled Environment (N.O.I.S.E.)

Breaking: NextGen Advisory Committee Approves Report on PBN Community Outreach

N.O.I.S.E. is pleased to share the following report from the NextGen Advisory Committee’s PBN Community Outreach Working Group. N.O.I.S.E. staff participated in this initiative and contributed to the report throughout the process. This report was accepted by the NAC on June 17th. N.O.I.S.E. President Brad Pierce and NAC Member said of the report, “The National Organization to Insure a Sound-Controlled Environment (N.O.I.S.E.) is encouraged by the NAC’s approval of these recommendations and continued focus on the need for robust community engagement. N.O.I.S.E. believes that community engagement and advocacy is key towards successful implementation of PBN and we will continue to work on the NAC and with the FAA to advocate for meaningful solutions to the impacts of aviation noise on our nation’s communities.”

While N.O.I.S.E. continues to advocate for our full federal agenda, which includes advocating to the FAA to update their noise metrics to accurately measure the new and changing impacts created by concentrated  PBN flights, we believe that more robust and meaningful community engagement, education and advocacy is a meaningful step forward towards noise impacts being a central focus when PBN is implemented at our Nation’s airports.

Read the full report here.

Updated FAA Community Involvement Manual

Dear N.O.I.S.E. Members:

We wanted to share some developments as they relate to federal aviation noise policy. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or need additional information.

As you may recall, The FY2015 Omnibus Bill, which was passed in December, 2015, included language that called for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to provide their updated Community Involvement Manual to Congress within six months.

N.O.I.S.E. applauds this Congressional action to help communities affected by aviation noise. In addition, we wanted to make you aware that Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced a subsequent amendment on the Senate floor for the Senate Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill that would have required the FAA to report quarterly to Congress on their progress to implement the policies included in the Community Involvement Manual. Although this amendment was not taken up, we applaud the Senator's efforts and will continue to work with him and other Congressional advocates to advance this language.

On April 19, the Senate approved an 18-month FAA reauthorization Bill (H.R. 636) with overwhelming bipartisan support, 95-3. However the House has yet to take final action on their version of a reauthorization. The current FAA Authority is set to expire on July 15, 2016. Congress must either pass a bill or another extension to keep the FAA operating beyond the 15th.  N.O.I.S.E. will continue to closely monitor this situation and will update members on any input sought on this important initiative.


We will keep you updated on all developments as they occur.

N.O.I.S.E. Releases 2016 Federal and Legislative Priorities

Please see the Board-approved N.O.I.S.E. federal and legislative priorities for 2016 by clicking here. Please let us know if you have any questions or need additional information.

We would also like to bring to your attention specific language that Congresswoman Meng (D-NY-06)  is urging the House Appropriations Committee to include in funding for the Department of Transportation (DOT) which is directly referenced in our legislative priorities. If included, Congresswoman Meng's language would:

  1. Appropriate $1.5 million for Airport Technology Research Noise Programs to accurately measure annoyance and sleep disturbance in communities surrounding airports.
  2. Provide approximately $16 million for Research, Engineering, and Development - Environment and Energy Program which would be used to study the social impacts on aviation noise pollution.
  3. Prohibit federal dollars from funding the implementation of flight paths that were approved through a Categorical Exclusion (CatEx).
  4. Mandate that the FAA reexamine the ways in which aviation noise pollution is measured and propose revised methods and tools for changing how aviation noise pollution is gauged.

Follow this link to see Congresswoman Meng's press release.

N.O.I.S.E. staff will continue to monitor the appropriations process and will update N.O.I.S.E. members on any pertinent information. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us directly at ejtranter@locklaw.com. 

ALERT--N.O.I.S.E. Updates Social Media Presence

In order to spread awareness of the significant impact excessive aviation noise is having on local communities across the United States and information about ongoing N.O.I.S.E. advocacy to connect communities and policymakers on noise mitigation efforts, N.O.I.S.E. has renovated its social media presence. An example of our recent updates is information on our new PBN working group, available here. In engaging our members and the public through Facebook, we look forward to stimulating conversation on this important issue.

If you find an article, press release, post, or other piece of content that you believe other N.O.I.S.E. members would benefit from seeing, please share it with us! You can reach us on Facebook at National Organization to Insure a Sound-Controlled Environment or via email at contact@aviation-noise.com. And if you’re on social media too, please make sure to LIKE us on Facebook to stay in the loop about all things N.O.I.S.E.

N.O.I.S.E. Introduces Performance-based Navigation (PBN) Working Group

Nashville, TN – During its annual Policy Summit/Community Involvement Workshop at the National League of Cities (NLC) Conference, the National Organization to Insure a Sound-Controlled Environment (N.O.I.S.E) announced the creation of their Performance-based Navigation (PBN) working group.

The Working Group will be chaired by College Park, Georgia Councilman and active N.O.I.S.E. member Ambrose Clay, who has a background in technology and is sought out by community leaders from across the U.S. for counsel on PBN implementation issues.  Councilman Clay noted that “If we are to be effective in managing aircraft noise impacts on our communities, we need to acquire a common understanding of the technology and government rationale that are shaping the evolution of the national airspace, so that we can formulate strategies for working with airports and the FAA to locate aircraft flight paths appropriately.”

The creation of this working group is an effort to provide community leaders with a forum and ongoing resources to address the implications of PBN implementation at their airports.  The working group’s quarterly webinars will feature presentations by community leaders, industry stakeholders and N.O.I.S.E. staff to keep members updated and provide access to the latest information and developments at the FAA and in Congress related to PBN. In addition, N.O.I.S.E. staff will provide on-going access to reference materials and support for members and interested communities.

In a statement, N.O.I.S.E. President and Aurora, Colorado City Council Member Brad Pierce indicated that the organization’s announcement was in response to a need for resources and conversation from a community perspective around the issue of PBN implementation: “It is clear that communities are facing growing challenges with the implementation of PBN and our staff and key members have experience in these areas. We want to be sure to be a resource to communities and to help facilitate a space to share experiences and best practices as they relate to airport and FAA engagement.”

N.O.I.S.E. is an affiliate of the National League of Cities and has served for over four decades as America’s only nationwide, community-based association committed to reducing the impact of excessive aviation noise on local communities.  Composed of local elected officials representing thousands of citizens across the United States, N.O.I.S.E. serves to help communities join together and inject the concerns of their constituents into the national debate on aviation noise mitigation. NOISE hosts two major annual conferences in conjunction with the NLC, a spring summit in Washington, D.C. and a fall policy summit in various locations throughout the United States.

The first PBN Working Group Webinar will be scheduled soon, with details to follow. 

Click to view this press release as a PDF.

ALERT -- Policy Summit and Community Involvement Workshop Agenda

Dear N.O.I.S.E. Members:

CLICK HERE FOR THE POLICY SUMMIT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT WORKSHOP AGENDA.

We wanted to remind you that N.O.I.S.E. will be hosting our annual Policy Summit and Community Involvement Workshop at the National League of Cities Convention in Nashville, Tennessee on Wednesday, November 4 at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Registration is free, so please email N.O.I.S.E. Communications Director, Patrick Maillet at pcmaillet@locklaw.com to register. 

This year's event will feature updates on federal policy that impacts air traffic control changes, as well as presentations from airport noise officers and community advocates who are on the front lines of aviation noise policy. Details about the topics and speakers at the event will be released as we get closer to the event. The presentations will go from 10:00am to 2:00pm; however, N.O.I.S.E. staff will be in the room answering questions from 9:00am-5:00pm. After the workshop, N.O.I.S.E. will be hosting a reception from 5:00pm-6:00pm. ClickHERE to see this years agenda. Please feel free to bring additional guests and colleagues.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with industry experts and your fellow communities to learn more about how you can work towards solutions to the negative impacts of aviation noise on your community. This event is Free to Register and again, please feel free to bring your neighbors and colleagues.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or need additional information.

Registration and Agenda for PBN Working Group Webinar Wednesday January 20 @11AM EST

N.O.I.S.E. PBN Working Group Inaugural Webinar

Join us for a webinar on Jan 20, 2016 at 11:00 AM EST.

Register now!

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4589640082672048129

Please join us for our first N.O.I.S.E. PBN Working Group Webinar. This is a chance for airport-impact communities and stakeholders to convene regularly and get updates on airport noise and community impact issues related to the FAA's NextGen system and Performance Based Navigation (PBN). These quarterly webinars will feature updates from N.O.I.S.E. leadership, staff and our organization's partners.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

View System Requirements

Agenda  

 Welcome and Introductions-Emily Tranter, N.O.I.S.E. National Coordinator

—  NextGen and PBN Overview and Background- Emily Tranter, N.O.I.S.E. National Coordinator

—  NextGen Noise Metrics Considerations (College Park, GA Case Study)-PBN Working Group Chair  Ambrose Clay, College Park, GA City Council

—  National Community and Federal Action Updates--Emily Tranter, N.O.I.S.E. National Coordinator

If you have any questions or comments, please contact me directly atejtranter@locklaw.com. 

 

Save the Date: N.O.I.S.E. Webinar on January 20, 2016—11 AM EST

Mark your calendars for N.O.I.S.E.’s inaugural PBN Working Group Webinar! This webinar will be the first in a quarterly series to provide our members with an update on developments at the FAA and in Congress related to Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) and provide access to the latest information on aviation noise issues. This event will feature N.O.I.S.E. PBN Working Group Chair Ambrose W. Clay and Emily Tranter. Mr. Clay is the Ward I Councilman for the City of College Park, GA and an active N.O.I.S.E. member. Ms. Tranter is N.O.I.S.E.’s National Coordinator.

Webinar access information will be provided after the New Year. Please contact Emily Tranter atejtranter@locklaw.com if you have any questions or need additional information.

Economic Study on Health Hazards from Environmental Noise

Washington, D.C. - (October 2) We wanted to make you aware of a recent article, An Economic Assessment of U.S. Environmental Noise as a Cardiovascular Health Hazard, published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine. The article represents an important first step in efforts to estimate in real terms the economic and social costs of environmental noise exposure. The authors concluded that "reducing environmental noise by 5 dB LDN would reduce hypertension cases by an estimated 1.2 million (1.4%) and CHD cases by 279,000 (1.8%). The associated cost savings and productivity gains are estimated to exceed $3.9 billion annually, demonstrating that environmental noise has significant economic ramifications" and that "[e]vidence is gathering on other non-auditory health impacts of noise, such as annoyance, sleep deprivation, childhood learning disruption, stress, and mental health and future estimates can address these impacts." To read the article, click here. To read a synopsis,click here.

FAA Community Involvement Manual Update

Washington, D.C. –  (August 6, 2015) We wanted to make you aware that the Federal Aviation Administration Office of Environment and Energy announced earlier today that they will be leading an agency-wide effort over the next six months to update the FAA Community Involvement Manual. This manual focuses on community involvement with relation to environmental interests such as noise pollution. Read the alert here.