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MCQSC Submits Comments to Reps. Raskin and Suozzi on H.R. 2997: the 21st Century AIRR Act

posted Jul 14, 2017, 10:08 AM by MoCo Quiet Skies   [ updated Sep 17, 2018, 1:41 PM ]
On July 13, 2017, MCQSC's Policy Committee submitted comments and suggested amendments to H.R. 2997, the 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act (the "21st Century AIRR Act").  This Congressional bill is due to be considered in the coming week.  

Here's an excerpt of MCQSC's submitted comments:   

As currently drafted, H.R. 2997 (the 21st Century AIRR Act) does not address the legitimate concerns of American citizens who are or will be severely impacted by noise and pollution from NextGen flight paths and procedures.  Per its mission statement, the FAA is tasked with providing a safe and efficient aerospace system, but is not held accountable for the health and welfare of citizens on the ground who are deeply impacted by FAA policies and procedures, such as NextGen.  Much of the language in H.R. 2997 addresses FAA actions going forward (i.e. long-term studies), yet there is no language requiring the FAA to fix the damage being done in areas where NextGen has been implemented and where flights have been channelized over American communities.

  
MCQSC submitted its comments and specific suggestions for improvements to the 21st Century AIRR Act to the staff of Rep. Jamie Raskin and also to the staff of Rep. Thomas Suozzi (D-NY 3rd District), who is the co-chair of the Congressional Quiet Skies Caucus.  

The Senate version will be considered imminently as well, and MCQSC is also working on comments for that.

A copy of MCQSC's July 13, 2017 Submitted Comments and Suggested Amendments to H.R. 2997, the 21st Century AIRR Act is available by clicking on this link: 2017.7.13_MCQSC Proposed Amendments to HR 2997 the 21st Century AIRR Act

A PDF copy of this July 13, 2017 MCQSC document is also available under the folder "Action letters, Templates" on the Downloads and Templates tab.