January 23, 2019
Media Contact:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
ELLICOTT CITY – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced that the County has filed a second legal petition against the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to help alleviate problems with noise from BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). The petition, filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit this month, questions the FAA’s approval of a BWI expansion plan based on a lack of consideration of the adverse noise impacts to residents in the area.
“The County has attempted on several fronts to resolve complaints about the unacceptable noise from BWI flights and I am disappointed we have not gotten any meaningful cooperation,” said Ball. “Despite our multiple attempts to work out some relief for our residents, the FAA still believes it is appropriate to allow an airport expansion that would only make matters worse.”
Residents complain that new flight patterns, implemented in 2014 as part of the NextGen satellite-based navigation system, have increased the noise above their homes and harmed both the quality of their lives and their property values.
“We hear from constituents every day about the burden and impact of the NextGen flight patterns,” said County Council Chair Christiana Mercer Rigby. “Blocking the expansion would save our residents from additional noise pollution and further detriment to their lives and homes. A solution is long overdue for the residents of Howard County who are impacted by this expansion, and I applaud the County’s petition against the Federal Aviation Administration.”
The County, in its latest petition, argues there has been little regard in the FAA’s approval process for the negative impacts to the surrounding neighborhoods. It further claims the agency is not making its decisions based on current and accurate data related to noise levels and other disruptions.
“Making matters worse, the Fourth Circuit has suspended all proceedings in our original petition because of the federal shutdown, and we expect the court will do the same with this
filing,” Ball added. “It is long past time for our federal regulators to come to the table in good faith with a plan that addresses the harm being done to our residents.”
“As a member of the BWI Roundtable representing the Howard County Council, I have heard firsthand from those who are impacted every day by the relentless noise and harmful air pollution caused by the Next Gen flight patterns,” stated Councilmember Deb Jung. “It is time for the FAA to act responsibly and balance commercial air traffic needs with the health and safety of the affected communities. We are grateful to County Executive Ball in supporting the efforts of the BWI Roundtable and the community by taking decisive legal action.”
If the County’s petition is successful, the FAA would be required to conduct additional noise studies before any expansion moves forward. That data would then also be used in discussions about the controversial NextGen flight paths.