Feuer Urges Passage of Los Angeles Helicopter Noise Relief Act

On Friday, Assembly Member Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) released a letter to Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer requesting that the Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act of 2011 be included in the upcoming Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization.   Feuer was joined in his request by a coalition of 17 members of Los Angeles County’s Delegation in the State Legislature. 

H.R 2677, authored by Representative Howard Berman and co-sponsored by Representatives Brad Sherman, Henry Waxman and Adam Schiff, would require the FAA to issue regulations relating to helicopter flight paths and altitudes.   “For far too long, residential neighborhoods have had to deal with increasing noise and other burdens from helicopters,” said Feuer.   “This is a major quality of life issue throughout our region.  I hope Congress will act this year.”

If Congress does not act this year, Feuer will introduce a resolution when the Assembly reconvenes in January to place the Legislature officially in support of H.R. 2677.

Feuer has long been concerned about the noise and other associated impacts of helicopters on neighborhoods.   In April 2011, Feuer, joined by Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, sent a strongly worded letter to the California Department of Transportation, which controls permitting of helipads, opposing the issuance of a non-emergency helipad permit for the Los Angeles Sofitel Hotel, which is adjacent to over 1,000 homes in the area.  

A copy of the letter is attached.

Assembly Member Feuer’s website:  http://www.assembly.ca.gov/feuer