TagFAA(213)

Currently, FAA law has extremely complicated rules for establishing a noise boundary around airports. (A noise boundary is a geographic area inside which there is a certain acceptable noise level.) This is referred to as the DNL65. and it has several major flaws. The FAA Reauthorization Act Of 2018 attempted to address these flaws in several ways. This letter, from a caucus of Congressmen engaged on airport community issues complains to the Administrator that the spirit of the law is not being adhered to and demands that he make attempts to put his agency into compliance. The language is fairly technical, however there are a couple of basic points they raise: First, that the noise boundary be determined by actual noise measurements (currently the noise boundaries are 'modeled' and those calculations often do not reflect in any way the lived experience for residents.) Second, that the 'acceptable' noise level of sixty five decibels (hence DNL65) has been determined to be far too high to conform with current understandings of healthy living.

Congressional bill H.R. introduced by Mr. Smith of Washington in the 116th Congress to amend title 49 of the United States Code to allow additional federal funds for airport noise mitigation projects, including provisions for buildings that previously received federal assistance for noise mitigation.

1. Range of Alternatives. 2. Alternatives Outside the Capability of Applicant or Jurisdiction of Agency. 3. No-Action Alternative. 4. Agency’s Preferred Alternative. 5. Proposed Action v. Preferred Alternative. 6. Environmentally Preferable Alternative. 7. Difference Between Sections of EIS on Alternatives and Environmental Consequences. 8. Early Application of NEPA. 9. Applicant Who Needs Other Permits. 10.