105th CONGRESS
          1st Session
          To reestablish the Office of Noise Abatement and Control in the
          Environmental Protection Agency.
                             IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
                                    February 4, 1997
          Mrs. LOWEY (for herself, Mr. SHAYS, Mrs. MORELLA, Mr. SKAGGS, Mrs.
              KELLY, Mr. SCHUMER, Mr. FROST, Mr. YATES, Mr. SABO, Ms. RIVERS,
              Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mrs. MINK of Hawaii, Mr. RUSH, Mr.
              ACKERMAN, Mr. NADLER, Mr. VENTO, Mr. MANTON, Mr. PALLONE, Mr.
              LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. BONIOR, Mrs. MALONEY of New York, Mr.
              BERMAN, and Mr. SERRANO) introduced the following bill; which
              was referred to the Committee on Commerce, and in addition to
              the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a 
              period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each
              case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
              jurisdiction of the committee concerned
                                         A BILL
          To reestablish the Office of Noise Abatement and Control in the
          Environmental Protection Agency.
              Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
          Representatives of the United States of America in Congress
          assembled, 
          SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
            This Act may be cited as the `Quiet Communities Act of 1997'.
          SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
            The Congress finds that:
                (1) For too many Americans, noise from aircraft, vehicular
              traffic, and a variety of other sources is a constant source of
              torment. In fact, nearly 20,000,000 Americans are exposed to
              noise levels that can lead to psychological and physiological
              damage, and another 40,000,000 people are exposed to noise
              levels that cause sleep or work disruption.
                (2) Chronic exposure to noise has been linked to increased
              risk of cardiovascular problems, strokes, and nervous 
              disorders. Excessive noise also causes sleep deprivation and
              task interruptions, both of which pose untold costs on society
              in diminished worker productivity.
                (3) Pursuant to authorities granted under the Clean Air Act 
              of 1970, the Noise Control Act of 1972, and the Quiet
              Communities Act of 1978, the Environmental Protection Agency
              established an Office of Noise Abatement and Control. Its
              responsibilities included promulgating noise emission 
              standards, requiring product labeling, facilitating the
              development of low emission products, coordinating Federal 
              noise reduction programs, assisting State and local abatement
              efforts, and promoting noise education and research. However,
              funding for the Office of Noise Abatement and Control was
              terminated in 1982 and no funds have been provided since.
                (4) Because the Environmental Protection Agency remains
              legally responsible for enforcing regulations issued under the
              Noise Control Act of 1972 even though funding for these
              activities were terminated, and because the Noise Control Act 
              of 1972 prohibits State and local governments from regulating
              noise sources in many situations, noise abatement programs
              across the country lie dormant.
                (5) As population growth and air and vehicular traffic
              continue to increase, noise pollution is likely to become an
              even greater problem in the future. The health and welfare of
              our citizens demands that the Environmental Protection Agency,
              the lead Federal agency for the protection of public health and
              welfare, once again assume a role in combating noise pollution.
          SEC. 3. REESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE OF NOISE ABATEMENT AND CONTROL.
            (a) REESTABLISHMENT- The Administrator of the Environmental
          Protection Agency shall reestablish within the Environmental
          Protection Agency an Office of Noise Abatement and Control. This
          office shall be responsible for coordinating Federal noise 
          abatement activities, updating or developing new noise standards,
          providing technical assistance to local communities, and promoting
          research and education on the impacts of noise pollution. In 
          meeting these responsibilities, the Environmental Protection Agency
          shall emphasize abatement approaches that rely on local and State
          activity, market incentives, and coordination with other public and
          private agencies.
            (b) STUDY- Within the funds made available for the Office of 
          Noise Abatement and Control, the Administrator shall conduct a 
          study of airport noise. Such study, which shall be completed no
          later than 18 months after the enactment of this Act, shall examine
          the Federal Aviation Administration's selection of noise 
          measurement methodologies, the threshold of noise at which health
          impacts are felt, and the effectiveness of noise abatement programs
          at airports around the nation. Such study shall include specific
          recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration on new
          measures that can be implemented to mitigate the impact of aircraft
          noise on surrounding communities.
          SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
            There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of
          fiscal years 1998, 1999, and 2000, and $8,000,000 for each of 
          fiscal years 2001 and 2002.