Jackie Speier

2019-11-14
H.R. 5109 – Fairness in Airspace Includes Residents Act (F-AIR Act)

The F-AIR Act (H.R. 5109), introduced in November 2019, proposes to update the FAA's priorities when managing U.S. airspace. While keeping aircraft safety as the top priority, the bill would elevate the reduction of aviation noise, community health impacts, and environmental concerns to co-equal status alongside airspace efficiency. The FAA would be required to review and update its regulations, policies, and mission statement within 12 months of the act's passage to reflect these new priorities.

TagsAdam Smith, Jackie Speier

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.

continue...

V V

H.R. 5109 – Fairness in Airspace Includes Residents Act (F-AIR Act)

Message