H.R. 1047: Aviation-Impacted Communities Act

This bill addresses noise mitigation for aviation-impacted communities. (Aviation-impacted community is defined as a community that is located not more than one mile from any point at which a commercial or cargo jet route is 3,000 feet or less above ground level.)

Specifically, the bill

• expands Airport Improvement Program noise mitigation program funding for aviation-impacted communities that are not currently within the 65 day-night average sound level (DNL) standard;
• requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study that summarizes the relevant literature and studies done on aviation impacts worldwide and focuses on large hub commercial airports and surrounding communities, including communities currently outside of the 65 DNL contour;
• directs the FAA to conduct outreach to aviation-impacted communities to inform them of the opportunity to be a designated community;
• requires the FAA to devise an action plan that alleviates or addresses the concerns of a designated community; and
• provides grants for necessary noise mitigation in a designated community for residences, hospitals, nursing homes, adult or child day care centers, schools, and places of worship.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.