[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 58 (Monday, March 29, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA HELICOPTER NOISE INFORMATION 
                          EXCHANGE ACT OF 2021

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 29, 2021

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce the Washington, DC Area 
Helicopter Noise Information Exchange Act of 2021, which would require 
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement a Government 
Accountability Office (GAO) recommendation to create a mechanism to 
exchange information about helicopter noise in the Washington, DC area 
between FAA and helicopter operators. I am pleased that Representatives 
Gerald E. Connolly and Donald S. Beyer, Jr. from Virginia and 
Representatives Jamie Raskin, Anthony G. Brown and David J. Trone from 
Maryland join me in introducing this bill, underscoring its regional 
importance.
  Residents of the District of Columbia and the national capital region 
(NCR) have been plagued by helicopter noise for years. Yet, there is no 
centralized complaint system nor any comprehensive data about 
helicopter noise in the NCR. In January 2019, Representatives Connolly, 
Beyer, Raskin, Brown, Trone and I wrote GAO requesting that it conduct 
a study of helicopter noise in the NCR. In that letter, we wrote, 
``Many of our constituents live with the impacts of regular helicopter 
noise that interrupts sleep patterns, causes their homes to shake and 
negatively impacts their quality of life. While disturbances from 
helicopter noise have been a longstanding problem for some, others have 
noted recent increases in the frequency and severity of helicopter 
noise in their neighborhoods. We understand that helicopter activity is 
an essential part of law enforcement, military and medical operations 
and appreciate the critical efforts of employees serving in those 
sectors. However, we also believe that, through information collection, 
analysis and coordination, we can identify strategies to minimize the 
negative impacts of helicopter activity without impeding the work of 
the agencies operating helicopters within the region.''
  In response to our request, GAO announced in June 2019 that it would 
conduct the study. GAO released its report in January 2021. GAO found 
that FAA's current ability to work with helicopter operators in the NCR 
is limited because of the absence of effective information sharing 
mechanisms. GAO recommended that FAA direct its Office of Environment 
and Energy to develop a mechanism to exchange helicopter noise 
information with operators in the NCR. FAA concurred with GAO's 
recommendation, but this bill would require FAA to develop such a 
mechanism.
  This bill would direct the creation of a more effective information 
sharing mechanism, which would also allow for better, more 
comprehensive data on helicopter noise complaints. This data would in 
turn help us develop solutions to address helicopter noise.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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