quality of life

Photo by Eric P.

From the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), co-chair of the Quiet Skies Caucus and a member of the Subcommittee on Aviation, today announced that she will introduce a bill that would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to submit recommendations to Congress on how to reduce helicopter noise in the District of Columbia. This will be the third bill Norton has introduced this Congress to combat helicopter noise in D.C.

“Even though the District of Columbia has the most restricted airspace in the country, I hear from D.C. residents almost daily about the negative impact of helicopter noise on their lives,” Norton said. “The noise can harm health and quality of life, and helicopters can even harm the structural integrity of homes. While I recognize the need for helicopters in D.C., the Federal Aviation Administration and Congress must do more to mitigate the harm to D.C. residents. I will continue to work with federal agencies that fly helicopters in D.C. and on legislation to reduce helicopter noise in D.C.”

In making its recommendations, the bill would require the FAA to consider altitude, frequency of flights, flight paths, flight timing, types of helicopters, operating procedures, and pilot training, among other factors. The bill would require the FAA to submit its recommendations to Congress not later than 180 days after enactment.

Norton has taken several steps to combat helicopter noise in D.C., including: (more…)