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Calif. lawmakers want Congress to regulate Los Angeles helicopter noise
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02/04/13 05:59 PM ET
Lawmakers from California are pushing for Congress to regulate the amount of noise helicopters are allowed to make when they fly over Los Angeles.
The legislators, all Democrats, have introduced a bill to require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish protocols for controlling noise generated by helicopters flying over residential areas in LA.
The measure is being sponsored by Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein in the Senate and Reps. Adam Schiff, Henry Waxman and Brad Sherman.
The legislation, known as the Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief, would require the FAA to limit flight paths and altitude requirements over Los Angeles to keep the helicopter noise though.
"LA County residents suffer from high levels of disruptive, low-flying helicopter traffic over their neighborhoods," Feinstein said in a statement.
"This bill would address that problem by requiring the FAA to create regulations for how helicopters operate in the skies above Los Angeles,” Feinstein continued. “In addition to reducing noise, this bill would increase safety and minimize commercial aircraft delays while exempting first responders and military aircraft from its limitations."
Boxer added that the proposal would not bar helicopters from operating over Los Angeles completely.
“This legislation will ensure that the FAA sets responsible guidelines that allow helicopters to continue to operate above Los Angeles while protecting residents from excessive noise associated with low-altitude flights,” she said in a statement.
The House members said the pain was particularly acute in each of their districts.
“I hear complaints about helicopter noise from every part of the 33rd District—from Malibu to Brentwood to Benedict Canyon,” Waxman said. “FAA regulation of the thunderous helicopter traffic over LA is long overdue. And if the FAA won’t act, Congress must.”
"Los Angeles area residents living in Glendale, Pasadena, the Valley, the Hollywood Hills, West Hollywood and other areas are especially affected by intrusive, disruptive and often non-emergency related helicopter traffic above their neighborhoods," Schiff added. “The terrain of canyons around the Rose Bowl concentrates low-flying helicopter noise to high levels, and Hollywood Hills and West Hollywood residents frequently suffer from noise generated by celebrity news media that follow stars to the beach, the grocery store, or for court appearances.”
