You are on page 1of 2

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA


RICHMOND

September 12, 2017

The Honorable Terence R. McAuliffe


Governor of Virginia
Office of the Governor
Patrick Henry Building, 3rd Floor
1111 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219

The Honorable Mark R. Herring


Attorney General of Virginia
Office of the Attorney General
202 North 9th Street
Richmond, VA 23219

RE: Urging Action on Airplane Noise

Dear Governor McAuliffe and Attorney General Herring:

According to the Washington Post, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan suing the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) over increases in airplane noise tied to the agency’s efforts to modernize air traffic
operations.1 This is a problem for residents close to Reagan National (DCA) in Virginia as well. The Post
quotes Hogan saying that new flight paths have made “…many Maryland families miserable in their own
homes with louder and more frequent flights which now rattle windows and doors.”

My constituents have raised the exact same concerns since FAA began implementing NextGen.2
NextGen is a system of satellite-based navigation. Because the satellite navigation system removes any
variation in flight paths, residents in my district find their community directly below every single plane
approaching DCA from the south. Flights go overhead as frequently as two per minute.

My constituents cannot sleep and outdoor enjoyment is interrupted by constant loud jets.
Property values also decrease in neighborhoods under repetitive flights. The airplaine noise starts as
early as 5:15 a.m. and continues until 1:00 a.m. As a sometime resident of McLean, I am sure you are
familiar with these issues. The flight path needs to be moved to higher altitudes when over homes.

1
Lori Aratani. The Washington Post. September 12, 2017.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/maryland-gov-larry-hogan-wants-to-sue-the-faa-
over-airport-noise/2017/09/12/b5257336-97dc-11e7-82e4-f1076f6d6152_story.html
2
South Flow Alliance. May 10, 2017. https://www.facebook.com/southflowalliance
Hon. Terence R. McAuliffe and Hon. Mark R. Herring
September 12, 2017
Page 2 of 2

NextGen also changed the noise contours established for DCA in 2004 and 2009. This exposed
new residents to airplane noise never anticipated when the property was developed. The noise contours
need to be re-evaluated in a new Part 150 Study.

Despite consistent citizen engagement including petitions and town hall meetings, FAA has
offered no relief. I think Governor Hogan is right to sue the FAA.

On behalf of my constituents, I request that the Commonwealth of Virginia join the State of
Maryland’s legal action.

Sincerely Yours,

Senator Scott A. Surovell


36th District

CC: Hon. Lawrence J. Hogan, Jr., Governor


Representative Donald S. Beyer
Chairman Sharon S. Bulova
Supervisor Daniel G. Storck
Mr. Michael Cooper
Mr. Steven Hantzis

You might also like