Skip to main content

Congressman Sherman Secures Commitment to Complete Environmental Review of the Aviation Routes over the San Fernando Valley

March 25, 2019

Urges Additional Action to Address Current Noise Levels

Sherman Oaks, CA – Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will conduct a full Environmental Assessment of new flight routes over the San Fernando Valley.

Last year, Congressman Sherman directed the FAA to complete a full environmental review process that evaluates several alternatives for possible departure routes to address the immediate noise impacting Valley communities.

"The FAA needs to listen to Valley residents before they make it impossible for residents to hear themselves think." Sherman said. "We need major changes."

Sherman specifically urged the FAA to improve their engagement with the San Fernando Valley community. As a result, the FAA held two public workshops in the San Fernando Valley on these specific flight routes.

"Hundreds of residents have appeared at multiple public forums to oppose the current unacceptable level of aviation noise," said Congressman Sherman. "Communities in the San Fernando Valley deserve to be heard and have their concerns completely addressed."

Today's announcement is specific to flight paths from Hollywood Burbank Airport, known as OROSZ and SLAPP. Community members will be able to track developments at a website established by the FAA. The web address is https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/nextgen_near-you/community_invovlement/bur.

"This is an important development in our efforts to stop any future increase in aviation noise impacting San Fernando Valley homes, schools, and public spaces," Sherman noted. "But, much more needs to be done to address the current levels, which are unacceptable."

Last week, Senator Dianne Feinstein, Senator Kamala Harris, and Rep. Adam Schiff joined Congressman Sherman's effort to establish an Aviation Noise Roundtable dedicated to the concerns of the San Fernando Valley.

In October, Congressman Sherman also helped pass federal legislation that mandated a new procedure for examining alternate flight routes in response to community noise concerns. Both the Hollywood Burbank Airport and the Van Nuys Airport were among the first airports in the nation to use the new law and both have officially requested a formal review by the FAA.

"While I am hopeful that the environmental study will lead to substantial improvements, I will continue to press for immediate steps to reduce airport noise. The FAA's decision to do the environmental study is not an excuse to delay improvements until the study is over," said Sherman.

Congressman Sherman is a member of the Congressional Quiet Skies Caucus, which is dedicated to addressing concerns over noise and other aviation impacts on communities.

-30-