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Congressional amendment to Rules Committee Print 119-8 offered by Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, adding a new section to title XVII establishing a pilot program for sound insulation repair and replacement under 49 U.S.C. sections 47109 and 47110. The FAA would establish a pilot program at up to 4 large hub public-use airports providing a one-time waiver of subsection (b)(4) cost-sharing requirements for qualifying airports that fund secondary noise mitigation using non-aeronautical revenue. Eligible residences must fall within DNL 65-75 dB noise contours, have previously received Federal sound insulation assistance, contain deteriorated or damage-causing insulation materials as determined by a qualified noise auditor, and show interior noise levels exceeding DNL 45 dB with potential for 5 dB noise reduction. Government share calculation excludes previously paid federal costs under the special rule added to section 47109.

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As the source for federal transportation grants, the Puget Sound Regional Council was charged with developing a system to meet the growing need for commercial aviation. When the search for a second airport failed, they authorized the Port of Seattle to build the Third Runway, with a mandate to develop a noise abatement and mitigation program. In their effort to stop the Third Runway, the ACC argued over every detail of the Port's efforts--including property buyouts and sound insulation. The dispute was meant to be settled by a three member Expert Arbitration Panel. This is their final report. It finds 2-1, that the Port's program was insufficient in several respects. Despite that, funding for the Third Runway was approved by the PSRC, and the 'Port Package' program, proceeded largely unchanged. Expert Arbitration Panel's final decision finding that the Port of Seattle had not shown sufficient reduction in real on-the-ground noise impacts to satisfy noise reduction conditions required for approval of a third runway at Sea-Tac International Airport. The majority decision concluded the Port's noise abatement programs were insufficient despite being impressive in scope.

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