[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 24, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6186-S6187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. TORRICELLI (for himself and Mr. Sarbanes):
  S. 951. A bill to reestablish the Office of Noise Abatement and 
Control in the Environmental Protection Agency; to the Committee on 
Environment and Public Works.


                   THE QUIET COMMUNITIES ACT OF 1997

  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce, along with 
Senator Sarbanes, the Quiet Communities Act of 1997. It is estimated 
that noise levels in communities across the country have increased more 
than 10 percent over the last decade. Studies indicate that noise 
affects one's ability to concentrate and can cause sleep deprivation, 
resulting in deleterious effects on health. Air noise is polluting our 
communities, and we must face and address this reality that affects the 
quality of life of our constituents.
  The Federal Aviation Administration predicts there will be 36 percent 
more flights in 2007 than there are today and that 60 of the 100 
largest airports in this country are proposing to build new runways. A 
recent study by the Natural Resources' Defense Council found that the 
FAA's noise policy threshold is far too high for residential 
communities. Additionally, the study found there are over 250,000 
people residing near Newark, JFK, and LaGuardia suffering from more 
noise than even the FAA deems fit for residences.
  In the 1970 Clean Air Act, Congress authorized $30 million for the 
establishment of the Office of Noise Abatement and Control [ONAC] 
within the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] to study noise and its 
effect on public health and welfare, and to consult with other Federal 
agencies on noise related issues. In 1982, ONAC's funding was 
terminated and the Office has been virtually dormant since.
  Each year, new studies show potential links between high noise levels 
and health and quality of life issues. Few issues are as volatile or as 
controversial as air noise. The EPA has consistently differed with the 
FAA--and advocated stricter measures--on the selection of noise 
measurement methodologies, on the threshold of noise at which health 
impacts are felt, and on the implementation of noise abatement programs 
at airports around the Nation.
  It is time to properly address the aircraft noise that affects 
millions of people every day in manners that are both short and long 
term. The Quiet Communities Act of 1997 will reestablish within the EPA 
an Office of Noise Abatement and Control which will be responsible for 
coordinating Federal noise abatement activities, updating or developing 
noise standards, providing technical assistance to local communities, 
and promoting research and education on the impacts of noise pollution. 
The Office will emphasize noise abatement approaches that rely on State 
and local activity, market incentives, and coordination with other 
public and private agencies. The act will also provide for the EPA to 
submit recommendations to Congress and the FAA regarding 
recommendations on new measures that could be implemented to mitigate 
the impact of aircraft noise on surrounding communities. I ask 
unanimous consent that this be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 951

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Quiet Communities Act of 
     1997''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that--
       (1)(A) for too many citizens of the United States, noise 
     from aircraft, vehicular traffic, and a variety of other 
     sources is a constant source of torment; and
       (B) nearly 20,000,000 citizens of the United States are 
     exposed to noise levels that can lead to psychological and 
     physiological damage, and another 40,000,000 people are 
     exposed to noise levels that cause sleep or work disruption;
       (2)(A) chronic exposure to noise has been linked to 
     increased risk of cardiovascular problems, strokes, and 
     nervous disorders; and
       (B) excessive noise causes sleep deprivation and task 
     interruptions, which pose untold costs on society in 
     diminished worker productivity;
       (3)(A) to carry out the Clean Air Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 
     7401 et seq.), the Noise Control Act of 1972 (42 U.S.C. 4901 
     et seq.), and the Quiet Communities Act of 1978 (Public Law 
     95-609; 92 Stat. 3079), the Administrator of the 
     Environmental Protection Agency established an Office of 
     Noise Abatement and Control;
       (B) the responsibilities of the Office of Noise Abatement 
     and Control included promulgating noise emission standards, 
     requiring product labeling, facilitating the development of 
     low emission products, coordinating Federal noise reduction 
     programs, assisting State and local abatement efforts, and 
     promoting noise education and research; and
       (C) funding for the Office of Noise Abatement and Control 
     was terminated in 1982 and no funds have been provided since;
       (4) because the Administrator of the Environmental 
     Protection Agency remains responsible for enforcing 
     regulations issued under the Noise Control Act of 1972 (42 
     U.S.C. 4901 et seq.) even though funding for the Office of 
     Noise Abatement and Control has been terminated, and because 
     that Act prohibits State and local governments from 
     regulating noise sources in many situations, noise abatement 
     programs across the United States lie dormant;
       (5) as the population grows and air and vehicle traffic 
     continues to increase, noise pollution is likely to become an 
     even greater problem in the future; and

[[Page S6187]]

       (6) the health and welfare of the citizens of the United 
     States demands that the Environmental Protection Agency once 
     again assume a role in combating noise pollution.

     SEC. 3. REESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE OF NOISE ABATEMENT AND 
                   CONTROL.

       (a) Reestablishment.--
       (1) In general.--The Administrator of the Environmental 
     Protection Agency shall reestablish an Office of Noise 
     Abatement and Control (referred to in this Act as the 
     ``Office'').
       (2) Responsibilities.--The Office shall be responsible 
     for--
       (A) coordinating Federal noise abatement activities;
       (B) updating or developing noise standards;
       (C) providing technical assistance to local communities; 
     and
       (D) promoting research and education on the impacts of 
     noise pollution.
       (3) Emphasized approaches.--The Office shall emphasize 
     noise abatement approaches that rely on State and local 
     activity, market incentives, and coordination with other 
     public and private agencies.
       (b) Study.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Environmental 
     Protection Agency shall submit a study on airport noise to 
     Congress and the Federal Aviation Administration.
       (2) Areas of Study.--The study shall--
       (A) examine the Federal Aviation Administration's selection 
     of noise measurement methodologies;
       (B) the threshold of noise at which health impacts are 
     felt; and
       (C) the effectiveness of noise abatement programs at 
     airports around the United States.
       (3) Recommendations.--The study shall include specific 
     recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration on new 
     measures that should be implemented to mitigate the impact of 
     aircraft noise on surrounding communities.

     SEC. 4. AUTHORIZING OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
     Act--
       (1) $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1998, 1999, and 
     2000; and
       (2) $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 and 2002.
                                 ______