Van Hollen, Leggett, Floreen, Berliner Urge FAA to Resolve Air Traffic Noise Issues

Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen joined Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, Montgomery County Council President Nancy Floreen, and Montgomery County Councilmember Roger Berliner in sending a letter to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta opposing further modifications to air traffic patterns and requesting solutions to current noise problems caused by the NextGen flight procedures implemented last year. 

The full text of the letter is below: 

Mr. Michael P. Huerta
Administrator
Federal Aviation Administration
Washington, DC  20591-0004

Dear Mr. Huerta:

It is clear to us that LAZIR-B will exacerbate aircraft noise over thousands of Montgomery County homes already negatively impacted by NextGen.  We oppose these modifications until a fuller understanding of the impact of aircraft noise arising from the implementation of NextGen (and concurrent changes to arrival procedures) are considered and appropriate actions are taken to resolve them.

Aircraft noise is a serious concern in our community.  The effect of the NextGen flight procedure changes implemented in 2015 has been disastrous in communities under the new flight paths.  Aircraft now turn sooner and lower than before and are channeled over residential communities.  The noise of the constant overflight of aircraft is intolerable.  At a recent meeting of the County Council, a representative from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) acknowledged those communities “are getting hammered.”

We concur with Arlington County’s assessment (September 12 letter to the FAA) of the negative impact on the quality of life of residents in the region from the implementation of NextGen.  We have heard loud and clear from many County residents regarding the unacceptable noise in their communities from the implementation of NextGen.

The LAZIR-B flight procedure changes proposed will exacerbate conditions in communities already impacted by NextGen procedures implemented in 2015.  LAZIR-B further shifts flights over Montgomery County neighborhoods.  FAA’s own modeling shows that noise will increase in those communities.  This clear impact to quality of life and enjoyment of property is unacceptable.

We understand that the FAA has multiple goals it must meet when determining optimal flight paths in to and out of airports.  Safety must be paramount.  Flight schedule optimization and fuel efficiency are also chief concerns.  But a concern that seems to have been ignored throughout this process is the noise impact to residential communities.  The concerns of those residents so deeply affected need to be better quantified and given more weight than has been evident to date in the NextGen implementation.

Instead of marginal adjustments, such as LAZIR-B, to current flight paths, we support returning to pre-NextGen flight paths pending a more comprehensive regional review of noise concerns.  The pre-NextGen noise impact was more evenly distributed both within Montgomery County and throughout the region, and was generally less impactful to Montgomery County residents.  Since new technology is allowing more precise flight paths, this same technology should be able to replicate the pre-NextGen flight paths.

We also wish to express our disappointment in the public process that has led to this point.  Montgomery County was not represented on the DCA Noise Working Group and had no information about the LAZIR-B proposal when it was discussed and when the Working Group voted to support it.  Additionally, we continue to have concerns regarding the current membership structure and mandate of the Working Group and will work with MWAA officials to address these issues.

Montgomery County plans to seek a more robust and fundamental review of DCA flight path noise issues.  Whether through the DCA Working Group or through some other regional body, an analysis of actual noise data is needed in order to better quantify actual noise impact on particular communities.  This work is crucial to assist regional leaders in assessing future options intended to spread out and/or mitigate noise impact in the region.  If this is not possible through the existing Working Group, then a new partnership with Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia elected officials, government staff, and community representatives will be sought.  In either event, FAA’s technical assistance will be a critical element to ensure a successful outcome.

Sincerely, 

Chris Van Hollen
Member of Congress

Isiah Leggett                        
Montgomery County Executive            
                       
Nancy Floreen                        
President, Montgomery County Council

Roger Berliner
Chair, T&E Committee
Montgomery County Council