Lynch to host airplane noise forum with the FAA on December 3, 2015

BOSTON, MA – On Thursday, December 3, Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (D-Boston) will host a public forum at Milton High School to address growing complaints about the frequency and increased levels of airplane noise in local towns and neighborhoods that are impacted by Logan Airport air traffic.

Much of the increase in noise coincides with the adoption of the NextGen, GPS-based navigation system. The GPS-based flight system guides hundreds of flights per day with laser-like precision over a narrow flight path.  While the RNAV procedures of the NextGen system can increase efficiency and save on jet fuel costs, the neighborhoods lying beneath those flight paths can experience extended periods of aircraft noise, raising health implications and negatively impacting the quality of life for local families.

Since 2014, Congressman Lynch has called on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to meet directly with concerned residents.  While the FAA has been open to meeting with elected officials, requests for constituent meetings have been denied in the past.  Following a meeting with FAA Administrator Michael P. Huerta and State Representative Walter F. Timilty (D-Milton) in Washington, D.C. in September, Congressman Lynch was able to secure an agreement that the FAA would participate in a community forum in Milton.

“The upcoming face-to-face meeting in Milton with FAA officials will allow people who are being impacted to have the opportunity to be heard.  Local communities deserve to have more say in the FAA decision-making process.  I am hopeful that through this forum we can increase community engagement and find a way to ease the disproportionate burden of airplane noise on residents of impacted communities,” said Congressman Lynch.

The December 3 forum will be open to residents of all communities affected by the increase in airplane noise.  In addition to a presentation from the FAA, the FAA representatives will hear directly from concerned residents during the question and answer portion of the program.

The forum will be open to the press.

The invited guests include:

• Representatives from the FAA
• Representatives from Massport
• Representatives from Logan Airport Community Advisory Committee
• Congressman Michael E. Capuano
• Congresswoman Katherine Clark
• State Senator Brian A. Joyce
• State Representative Walter F. Timilty
• Milton Town Administrator Annemarie Fagan

WHAT:          Airplane Noise Forum with the FAA

WHEN:          Thursday, December 3, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

WHERE:        Milton High School Auditorium, 25 Gile Road, Milton, MA 02186

For more information, contact:

Elizabeth Zappala, Press Secretary
Office of Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08)
(202) 226-1918 | 2369 Rayburn House Office Building
[email protected]