Aviation Noise: Roles and Responsibilities
Although we tend to focus on the local effects of aircraft noise, SCAS's airports are part of the national aviation system. As a result, there are many different players in involved in minimizing aircraft noise exposure with a great deal of the effort being the responsibility of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In addition to working as our nation's air traffic controllers, the FAA is responsible for setting the nation's aviation noise policy and implementing that policy through Federal Aviation Regulations related to noise.
FAA's 1976 Aviation Noise Abatement Policy described the roles and responsibilities for all of the participants in aircraft noise issues, which is repeated here in its entirety.
- The Federal Government has the authority and responsibility to control aircraft noise by the regulation of source emissions, by flight operational procedures, and by management of the air traffic control system and navigable airspace in ways that minimize noise impact on residential areas, consistent with the highest standards of safety. The federal government also provides financial and technical assistance to airport proprietors for noise reduction planning and abatement activities and, working with the private sector, conducts continuing research into noise abatement technology.
- Airport Proprietors are primarily responsible for planning and implementing action designed to reduce the effect of noise on residents of the surrounding area. Such actions include optimal site location, improvements in airport design, noise abatement ground procedures, land acquisition, and restrictions on airport use that do not unjustly discriminate against any user, impede the federal interest in safety and management of the air navigation system, or unreasonably interfere with interstate or foreign commerce.
- State and Local Governments and Planning Agencies must provide for land use planning and development, zoning, and housing regulation that will limit the uses of land near airports to purposes compatible with airport operations.
- The Air Carriers are responsible for retirement, replacement, or retrofit of older jets that do not meet federal noise level standards, and for scheduling and flying airplanes in a way that minimizes the impact of noise on people.
- Air Travelers and Shippers generally should bear the cost of noise reduction, consistent with established federal economic and environmental policy that the adverse environmental consequences of a service or product should be reflected in its price.
- Residents and Prospective Residents in areas surrounding airports should seek to understand the noise problem and what steps can be taken to minimize its effect on people. Individual and community responses to aircraft noise differ substantially and, for some individuals, a reduced level of noise may not eliminate the annoyance or irritation. Prospective residents of areas impacted by airport noise thus should be aware of the effect of noise on their quality of life and act accordingly.
In addition to the roles and responsibilities, the 1976 Aviation Noise Abatement Policy provides general information on aircraft noise issues that may be useful to individuals who are new to the aircraft noise issue. The following link will take you to the text of the policy http://www.faa.gov/programs/en/impact/1976ANAP/index.cfm . The FAA issued a draft policy in the year 2000, which can be reviewed using the following link http://www.faa.gov/programs/en/impact/fr_anap.pdf .
