[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 5, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E215]
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

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 5, 2024

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I introduce the Washington, D.C. Area 
Helicopter Noise Information Exchange Act, which would require the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to create and implement a 
helicopter noise-sharing mechanism for all helicopter operators in the 
National Capital Region (NCR) and to make such mechanism accessible to 
the public online. I got this bill included in the Securing Growth and 
Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act (H.R. 3935), which the House 
passed last year.
  Residents of the 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 Helicopter noise can harm 
health, quality of life, and the structural integrity of homes. In 
2019, I led members of the NCR in requesting that the Government 
Accountability Office (GAO) study helicopter noise in the NCR. In 2021, 
GAO recommended that the FAA implement a noise sharing mechanism for 
helicopter operators in the NCR.
  In 2022, the FAA initiated a pilot program with a private company to 
create a helicopter noise sharing mechanism in the NCR. After the end 
of the pilot program, Fairfax and Arlington Counties contracted with 
the private company to maintain such a mechanism solely for Northern 
Virginia. However, the company is not required to share the collected 
data with any jurisdictions, other than those in Northern Virginia, or 
the public. The FAA must be involved in the collection and analysis of 
helicopter noise data in the NCR to effectively address the impacts on 
the public, and the public has a right to know the source of the noise.
  This bill would direct the creation of a more effective information 
sharing mechanism, which would 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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