Quiet Communities Act of 1997 (Introduced in the House)

HR 536 IH

To reestablish the Office of Noise Abatement and Control in the Environmental Protection Agency.

Mrs. LOWEY (for herself, Mr. SHAYS, Mrs. MORELLA, Mr. SKAGGS, Mrs. KELLY, Mr. SCHUMER, Mr. FROST, Mr. YATES, Mr. SABO, Ms. RIVERS, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mrs. MINK of Hawaii, Mr. RUSH, Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr. NADLER, Mr. VENTO, Mr. MANTON, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. BONIOR, Mrs. MALONEY of New York, Mr. BERMAN, and Mr. SERRANO) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

To reestablish the Office of Noise Abatement and Control in the Environmental Protection Agency.

• Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

• This Act may be cited as the `Quiet Communities Act of 1997'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

• The Congress finds that:

• (1) For too many Americans, noise from aircraft, vehicular traffic, and a variety of other sources is a constant source of torment. In fact, nearly 20,000,000 Americans are exposed to noise levels that can lead to psychological and physiological damage, and another 40,000,000 people are exposed to noise levels that cause sleep or work disruption.

• (2) Chronic exposure to noise has been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular problems, strokes, and nervous disorders. Excessive noise also causes sleep deprivation and task interruptions, both of which pose untold costs on society in diminished worker productivity.

• (3) Pursuant to authorities granted under the Clean Air Act of 1970, the Noise Control Act of 1972, and the Quiet Communities Act of 1978, the Environmental Protection Agency established an Office of Noise Abatement and Control. Its responsibilities included promulgating noise emission standards, requiring product labeling, facilitating the development of low emission products, coordinating Federal noise reduction programs, assisting State and local abatement efforts, and promoting noise education and research. However, funding for the Office of Noise Abatement and Control was terminated in 1982 and no funds have been provided since.

• (4) Because the Environmental Protection Agency remains legally responsible for enforcing regulations issued under the Noise Control Act of 1972 even though funding for these activities were terminated, and because the Noise Control Act of 1972 prohibits State and local governments from regulating noise sources in many situations, noise abatement programs across the country lie dormant.

• (5) As population growth and air and vehicular traffic continue to increase, noise pollution is likely to become an even greater problem in the future. The health and welfare of our citizens demands that the Environmental Protection Agency, the lead Federal agency for the protection of public health and welfare, once again assume a role in combating noise pollution.

SEC. 3. REESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE OF NOISE ABATEMENT AND CONTROL.

• (a) REESTABLISHMENT- The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall reestablish within the Environmental Protection Agency an Office of Noise Abatement and Control. This office shall be responsible for coordinating Federal noise abatement activities, updating or developing new noise standards, providing technical assistance to local communities, and promoting research and education on the impacts of noise pollution. In meeting these responsibilities, the Environmental Protection Agency shall emphasize abatement approaches that rely on local and State activity, market incentives, and coordination with other public and private agencies.

• (b) STUDY- Within the funds made available for the Office of Noise Abatement and Control, the Administrator shall conduct a study of airport noise. Such study, which shall be completed no later than 18 months after the enactment of this Act, shall examine the Federal Aviation Administration's selection of noise measurement methodologies, the threshold of noise at which health impacts are felt, and the effectiveness of noise abatement programs at airports around the nation. Such study shall include specific recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration on new measures that can be implemented to mitigate the impact of aircraft noise on surrounding communities.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

• There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1998, 1999, and 2000, and $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 and 2002.

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