Request Quick Action On Los Angeles Helicopter Noise Initiative

Representatives Adam Schiff, Henry Waxman, Brad Sherman, Karen Bass, Janice Hahn, Tony Cardenas and Alan Lowenthal, and Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, all Democrats, have sent a letter to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta to request that the agency release its schedule for completing the next steps identified in the FAA’s Report on the Los Angeles Helicopter Noise Initiative.  At a field hearing hosted by Rep. Schiff in June, the FAA promised to complete several actions, and now almost five months later, has yet to report back to Congress.

In the letter, the Members and Senators write: “Although nearly five months have passed since the FAA made these commitments, we are concerned that we have not yet seen measurable progress implementing the steps specified in the report.  We understand FAA officials recently attended a collaborative meeting in Los Angeles between community representatives and helicopter operators, and have upcoming meetings planned. We are pleased to see this ongoing dialogue.  However, moving forward, we believe that it is critical for the FAA to develop and release to all stakeholders a schedule to complete the six steps outlined in the Report on the Los Angeles Helicopter Noise Initiative.  Having a clear process for how and when the FAA will complete the report’s next steps will greatly benefit the efforts to develop safe guidelines that reduce helicopter noise.”
 
“Residents across the Los Angeles area are affected by intrusive, disruptive and often non-emergency related helicopter traffic above their neighborhoods and homes,” said Rep. Schiff. “It’s my hope that the FAA will complete the actions they promised at our field hearing in June in a timely manner. Angelinos deserve peace and quiet, and if the FAA won’t act to regulate disruptive and preventable helicopter traffic noise, Congress must pass legislation to give residents the relief they deserve.”

The LA Daily Breeze reports that FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said that the administrator is evaluating the letter, but had no further comment.

FMI: http://shiff.house.gov, www.faa.gov