TagAirport Impacted Communities Act(13)

The Aviation Impacted Communities Act establishes a structured process to help neighborhoods affected by aircraft noise, starting with the FAA identifying eligible communities and ending with grants for noise mitigation. A community qualifies as 'aviation impacted' if it is located within 1 mile of any point where a commercial or cargo jet route passes at or below 3,000 feet above ground level. Once designated, communities can form boards, conduct studies, and develop action plans to address aviation-related impacts near airports like Sea-Tac.

This legislative summary outlines a proposed bill aimed at protecting communities affected by airport noise and aviation emissions. It establishes a formal designation for 'aviation-impacted communities' located within one mile of low-flying commercial or cargo jet routes, creates local community boards to engage with the FAA and airport operators, and requires the FAA to develop action plans and provide mitigation funding — such as sound insulation and noise barriers — for affected residences, schools, hospitals, and nursing homes.

In August 2019, Sharyn Parker of the Burien Airport Committee and Quiet Skies Coalition submitted detailed feedback on draft Aviation Impacted Communities Act legislation, proposing specific language changes to strengthen noise and emissions protections for communities around Sea-Tac Airport. Her comments addressed technical issues such as decibel measurement standards, the use of Noise Monitor Stations, air quality monitoring gaps, and the limitations of the FAA's 65 dB DNL noise threshold. The email thread also includes input from other stakeholders raising concerns about loopholes in the bill's definitions and the need to broaden aircraft classifications beyond 'jets' to include turboprops and other aircraft types.