(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) today applauded the inclusion of several airplane noise mitigation provisions in the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018 (FAA Reauthorization Act), which was signed into law on October 5th.

Raskin coauthored an amendment that was included in the final bill, which requires the FAA to conclude its evaluation of enhanced, alternative airplane noise measurement metrics within the next year, so that progress can be made toward implementing a new, more accurate airplane noise metric that reflects the reality of the level of airplane noise experienced by Montgomery County residents.

The bill also contained several other noise mitigation measures advanced by Raskin and community advocates like the Montgomery County Quiet Skies coalition. These provisions include requirements to conduct a study on the health impacts of flight noise, submit updates to noise exposure maps to determine eligibility for noise mitigation funding, review FAA’s community engagement practices in NextGen projects and provide a report to Congress outlining ways to improve community involvement, evaluate the relationship between aircraft approach/take-off speeds and corresponding noise levels in surrounding communities, review the phasing out older aircrafts with loud engines, and engage in other measures to advance the public interest.

“I remain deeply troubled by the many ways increased airplane noise and sound pollution are adversely affecting the health and well-being of my constituents,” said Raskin. “We have worked on a lot of initiatives to address pervasive and deafening airplane noise, and I believe the FAA Reauthorization will finally help us make serious progress in this fight. I will continue to work with my constituents, community advocates, and my colleagues in the Quiet Skies Caucus to ensure that the FAA is acting to reduce airplane noise and adequately addressing community concerns when existing flight paths are altered, or new ones are developed.  I want to thank my constituents living with the airplane noise and sound pollution for fighting hard on this and helping to improve the situation.”

Congressman Jamie Raskin represents Maryland’s 8th District, which includes Montgomery, Frederick, and Carroll counties. He is the Vice Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, a Senior Democratic Whip, and Freshman Representative to the House Democratic Steering & Policy Committee. He also serves on the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee and the Committee on House Administration.  He has been a professor of constitutional law at American University’s Washington College of Law for more than 25 years.