TagHarris Miller Miller & Hanson(1)

White Paper: 2018 FAA Reauthorization Noise Provisions This White presents HMMH’s analysis of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 302, Pub.L. 115–254) and implications for US airports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2018 reauthorizes the FAA and other programs until the end of fiscal year 2023. The bill was passed by Congress on October 3, 2018, and was signed by President Donald Trump on October 5, 2018. Title I, Authorizations, devotes an entire Subtitle D to “Airport Noise and Environmental Streamlin- ing”. Among the twenty-two provisions enacted by the Subtitle, fourteen deal directly or indirectly with aircraft noise. The noise provisions of Subtitle D fall into several broad categories: Studies: As described below, there are few provisions in the Reauthorization bill that have direct impact on US airports. Many of the provisions require FAA to conduct or complete studies regarding aircraft noise effects and/or resulting policy, including the FAA’s noise annoyance survey (Sections 173, 187, and 188). Section 189 requires a health impacts study that will affect a number of airports (Boston, Chicago, the District of Colum- bia, New York, the Northern California Metroplex, Phoenix, the Southern California Metroplex, Seattle, or such other area as may be identified by the FAA). Section 186 would require the GAO to conduct a study evaluating the potential phase out of Stage 3 aircraft. The provision also requires consultation with airports and community stakeholders. NextGen: There are a number of provisions targeted to addressing some of the challenges that have…