The Federal Aviation Administration will conduct a full environmental assessment of the proposed amendments to two existing flight routes at Hollywood Burbank Airport, the federal agency announced Monday.
With increasing concern about air traffic noise above the Valley, the assessment will evaluate the potential impacts of proposed amendments to flight paths from the Burbank airport, known as OROSZ and SLAPP.
Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks, said major changes are needed 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 in a statement.
RELATED STORY: Sherman Oaks congressman calls on FAA to deal with air traffic noise from Van Nuys, Burbank airports
In the past, the congressman called the federal agency to improve their engagement with the San Fernando Valley community, including a call for such action as recently as last week.
“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.”
The congressman went on, saying Valley residents “deserve to be heard and have their concerns completely addressed.”
The FAA’s action follows two workshops the agency hosted in Burbank in November.
The federal agency is working on a timeline for preparing the environmental assessment, which will be drafted in accordance with FAA regulations and policies along with the National Environmental Policy Act, according to the FAA.
Last week, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Sen. Kamala Harris, and Rep. Adam Schiff joined Sherman’s effort to establish an Aviation Noise Roundtable dedicated to the concerns of the San Fernando Valley.
The issue has stemmed from reports about new noise concerns near Hollywood Burbank Airport, where the amending of flight paths over the Sherman Oaks sparked the ire of residents and community leaders.
Earlier this year, the Los Angeles City Council voted to call on the FAA to conduct a noise study at Van Nuys Airport in response to noise complains from several Valley communities.
Community members will be able to track developments at a website established by the FAA at https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/nextgen_near_you/community_involvement/bur/.
