SCANA and Quiet Skies 

SCOTTSDALE COALITION FOR AIRPLANE NOISE ABATEMENT

SEPTEMBER 2023 

In this issue:

  • Input on the FAA Re-Authorization Act of 2023

  • FAA requests comments on its Noise Policy

  • FAA / Phoenix Sky Harbor Working Group

___________________________________

 

 

Efforts to Impact the FAA Re-Authorization Act of 2023 

 

As reported in our last Email update the efforts to achieve mediation from the FAA's actions on placing flight paths over residential communities are now focused on encouraging Congressional legislation to bring accountability to the FAA. While the efforts to prompt legislators to introduce specific legislation has not been successful, efforts are now aimed at getting language into the FAA Re-Authorization Act of 2023 to force the FAA to accept community input regarding its actions and a number of other requirements that would bring more oversight into the FAA's decision making process. The House of Representatives has already passed its version of the Re-Authorization Act (without the amendments below) and the Senate is now deliberating its version. Recent community activity is addressing the Senate version with a number of community organizations across the Country galvanizing behind the same requested amendments to their Senators. That message has been coordinated by the Aviation Impacted Communities Alliance (AICA). The Senate will likely address the Bill during September and it is hoped that many of the requests made will be incorporated.

CLICK HERE to read the SCANA letter to our Arizona Senators to request amendments

 to the FAA Re-Authorization Act of 2023

CLICK HERE to see the text of the amendments being requested

 

SCANA will provide an update when it is known what the final Bill will contain.  

 

_______________________________________________________

 

FAA Requests Comments on the Review of the Civil Aviation Noise Policy

 

The FAA is asking the public and others to submit comments regarding the Civil Aviation Noise Policy. According to the FAA:

"The FAA is reviewing our noise policy as part of our ongoing commitment to address aircraft noise. The Noise Policy Review is evidence-based, thorough, and collaborative. We are considering findings from ongoing noise research, including the Neighborhood Environmental Survey which provided an updated dose-response curve, and other research related to health impacts, speech interference, sleep disturbance, and economic impacts. We are examining the distribution of environmental risks, tradeoffs, and resulting impacts across communities. As part of the review, we are:"

  • "Looking at our current use of DNL or Day-Night Average Sound Level as the primary noise metric for assessing cumulative aircraft noise exposure. 

  • Reviewing whether to continue to use the DNL 65 dB level as the metric and threshold for determining significant noise impacts in environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act or the definition of the limit of residential land use compatibility. 

  • Considering if and how alternative noise metrics may be used in lieu of or in addition to DNL to better inform agency decisions and improve FAA’s disclosure of noise impacts." 

"The FAA is engaging with the public and other stakeholders through meaningful opportunities in order to learn more about aviation noise, hear from the FAA, and provide input for the agency’s consideration. The latest database of public comments about the FAA’s noise policy review can be found here. It will be updated throughout 2023."

 

 SCANA and other organizations have submitted comments regarding this review. Many of the comments are similar or identical to the requests made to the Re-Authorization Bill discussed above. While it seems the FAA is reviewing its own policy (the fox is in the hen house) it is hoped there will be some objective oversight of the review. Time will tell.

 

The AICA again has provided a coordinated response for community organizations across the Country and SCANA has used their response for our submission.

CLICK HERE to see the detailed response

 

Anyone can submit a comment but comments must be posted by September 29th. Please do so by CLICKING HERE. Make any comment you desire, or simply state:

-- This comment is in addition to any previous comments.

-- I support the Aviation-Impacted Communities Alliance (AICA), Comment ID FAA-2023-0855-2206.

  _______________________________________________

 

PHOENIX SKY HARBOR AND FAA WORKING GROUP

 

The FAA formed a "working group" to discuss issues around the Phoenix metro area airport and Metroplex air traffic issues.  The group first met in October of 2022 and then met this June, 2023. While the City of Scottsdale was not invited to join the group for the first meeting, the City was invited to attend the June meeting. While it is not known if any changes can come from these meetings, it is hoped that Scottsdale can get its concerns aired and on the table for the groups discussions. While SCANA has asked for a summary of the June meeting, we have been informed no minutes have been prepared by the FAA at this point.

 

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WITH THE FAA / SKY HARBOR WORKING GROUP MEETINGS TAKING PLACE, IT IS CRITICAL TO FILE A SKY HARBOR NOISE COMPLAINTS!

 

With the FAA Working Group conducting meetings regarding Phoenix Sky Harbor airspace, it is very important that Sky Harbor log complaints regarding the flight paths over Scottsdale.  Metrics matter.  To demonstrate to the Working Group that residents are still fed up with the FAA's NextGen flight paths, we need the number of complaints filed to reflect our resolve.  Complaints should be filed with Sky Harbor Airport.  CLICK HERE SKY to go to the Sky Harbor compliant form to log a complaint.  No log in is required and it only takes a minute!  Try to file a complaint every day for the rest of the year.  It matters!

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PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS TO RESTORE THE QUIET AND SAFE SKIES SCOTTSDALE ENJOYED BEFORE THEY WERE STOLEN BY THE FAA

 

WE DID NOT MOVE TO THE FAA, THE FAA MOVED TO US!

 

Thousands of homeowners in Scottsdale and across the Country purchased their homes before an airplane superhighway was "arbitrarily and capriciously" placed over their neighborhoods without their knowledge or input.

 

 

11419 E Hideaway Ln #1 Scottsdale, AZ, 85255 USA
scanaPHX@gmail.com

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