After Norton Request, GAO Adds Reagan National Airport to Metroplex Noise Study

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), a senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which has jurisdiction over the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Co-Chair of the Quiet Skies Caucus, today received notification that, at her request, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will add Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to its study on the FAA's consideration of community noise impacts in its implementation of NextGEN in major metropolitan areas.

"Considering DCA's proximity to the National Mall and the amount of airspace that is restricted for commercial use in the nation's capital, we must understand how the FAA makes decisions and communicates those decisions to my constituents, particularly those decisions that impact the community. Any change in the flight paths can dramatically affect the amount of airplane noise we hear in the District, and excessive airplane noise can have negative impacts on health and comfort."

Norton wrote to GAO on August 17, 2020, describing DCA's unique circumstances and requesting that the agency include DCA in its study.

Norton's letter follows.

August 17, 2020

The Honorable Gene Dodaro

Comptroller General of the United States

441 G Street NW

Washington, DC 20548

Dear Mr. Dodaro:

As a senior member of the Aviation Subcommittee of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Co-Chair of the Quiet Skies Caucus, I have been deeply involved with the implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). I appreciate the Government Accountability Office (GAO) agreeing to study how the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has considered community noise impacts while implementing NextGen in major metropolitan areas. I write to include Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in this upcoming study.

It is my understanding that GAO selected Dulles International Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Airport to represent the Washington, D.C. metroplex. While I understand that these two airports face similar issues to DCA, I believe there are issues specific to DCA that need examining. In 2015, the FAA implemented a new northern departure route from DCA without local input, and did so again in 2019 due to Secret Service concerns. The concerns of the Secret Service and the protected airspace over the nation's capital uniquely impact the flight paths to and from DCA and have complicated communication between the FAA and the local D.C. community.

I strongly urge you to include DCA in this upcoming study.

Sincerely,

Eleanor Holmes Norton

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