In October 2019, Congressman Adam Smith (WA-9th District) wrote to the Government Accountability Office requesting that its study on FAA aircraft noise management be expanded beyond major metropolitan 'metroplexes' to also include Single Site airports, such as those affected by NextGen flight procedure changes near smaller cities. The letter asks the GAO to examine how the FAA measures, discloses, and mitigates noise impacts at these airports, whether its current noise standards adequately protect communities, and how effectively it engages the public when implementing new flight routes. The request was driven by significant community concern over increased noise resulting from NextGen-related flight path changes at Single Site airports.Open full document
Notes
Representative Adam Smith writes to Comptroller General Gene Dodaro requesting that the GAO’s study on FAA aircraft noise measurement and mitigation be broadened to include Single Site airports in addition to metroplexes. The letter outlines specific questions regarding how the FAA measures, discloses, and mitigates noise impacts from NextGen flight procedure changes at Single Site airports. It also asks about the adequacy of FAA public outreach and transparency tools like the Instrument Flight Procedures Information Gateway portal.