I
104TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4308
To reestablish the Office of Noise Abatement and Control in the
Environmental Protection Agency.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SEPTEMBER 28, 1996
Mrs. LOWEY (for herself, Mr. SKAGGS, Mr. FROST, Mr. YATES, Mrs.
MORELLA, Mr. TORRICELLI, Mr. NADLER, Mr. MANTON, Mr. SCHUMER,
and Mr. PALLONE) 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 deter-
mined 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 Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Quiet Communities
Act of 1996’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that:
(1) For too many Americans, noise from air-
craft, 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 physio-
logical damage, and another 40,000,000 people are
exposed to noise levels that cause sleep or work dis-
ruption.
(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 Of-
fice of Noise Abatement and Control. Its responsibil-
ities included promulgating noise emission stand-
ards, requiring product labeling, facilitating the de-
velopment 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 termi-
nated in 1982 and no funds have been provided
since.
(4) Because the Environmental Protection
Agency remains legally responsible for enforcing reg-
ulations issued under the Noise Control Act of 1972
even though funding for these activities were termi-
nated, and because the Noise Control Act of 1972
prohibits State and local governments from regulat-
ing noise sources in many situations, noise abate-
ment 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 Fed-
eral 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 ABATE-
MENT 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, updat-
ing or developing new noise standards, providing technical
assistance to local communities, and promoting research
and education on the impacts of noise pollution. In meet-
ing these responsibilities, the Environmental Protection
Agency shall emphasize abatement approaches that rely
on local and State activity, market incentives, and coordi-
nation 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 and its physiological
effects on surrounding communities in major metropolitan
areas. Such study shall include recommendations to the
Federal Aviation Administration on new measures that
can be implemented to mitigate the impact of aircraft
noise on metropolitan areas and surrounding communities.
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000
for each of fiscal years 1997, 1998, and 1999, and
$8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2000 and 2001.
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