Momentum Builds for Rep. Schiff's Bill to Reduce Helicopter Traffic and Noise over Los Angeles Neighborhoods
Washington, DC –Momentum continues to build for legislation that Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) introduced last month to regulate helicopter traffic and noise in Los Angeles County. Several affected cities and local organizations have joined in support of the bill. The Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act (H.R. 456) would require the Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) to provide Los Angeles County residents relief from the noise caused by low-flying helicopters above residential neighborhoods.
Since its introduction, several local municipalities including the City of Los Angeles, the City of West Hollywood, the City of Beverly Hills and the City of Lomita have expressed their support for the bill. In a letter to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure endorsing the bill, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors stated that, “Such regulations would address the enormously disruptive noise caused by low-flying helicopters on non-emergency flights, such as tours and paparazzi photo shoots.”
Last week, the City of West Hollywood voted unanimously to adopt a resolution in support of the bill, less than a week after Mayor Jeffrey Prang proposed a resolution supporting the helicopter noise bill. Mayor Prang praised the initiative at a recent Council meeting and was pleased that the “challenge we have with helicopters strafing our neighborhoods and causing havoc” was one of the first conversations he had with Rep. Schiff when he began representing West Hollywood earlier this year due to redistricting.
Schiff said that he was encouraged by the strong support from local organizations supporting the legislation: “Residents across the Los Angeles area – from Pasadena to the Coast, and the Valley to the Hollywood Hills – are affected by intrusive, disruptive and often non-emergency related helicopter traffic about their neighborhoods and homes. Angelinos deserve peace and quiet, and if the FAA won’t act to regulate disruptive and preventable helicopter traffic noise, Congress must pass this legislation to give residents the relief they deserve.”
In a letter to Schiff, Beverly Hills Mayor William Brien expressed his support and agreed that, “By reducing, if not eliminating the noise of low-flying helicopters over Beverly Hills and surrounding communities, your legislative measure will significantly improve the quality of life and safety for all our residents.”
Additionally, the Van Nuys Airport Citizens Advisory Council also voted 13-0 to support the legislation. “This is putting pressure on the FAA,” said Wayne Williams, a member of the council.
Rep. Schiff was joined in introducing this legislation with Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, as well as Reps. Henry Waxman, Brad Sherman and Janice Hahn. The Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Actwould require the FAA toestablish regulations on flight paths and minimum altitudes for helicopter operations in Los Angeles County. Schiff hopes that the legislation will prompt the FAA to act, and if passed, will require the agency to finally address numerous resident complaints that have been building over the years.