49 U.S.C. § 44718 (TRANSPORTATION)
§ 44718. Structures interfering with air commerce or national security
(a) Notice.—
By regulation or by order when necessary, the Secretary of Transportation shall require a person to give adequate public notice, in the form and way the Secretary prescribes, of the construction, alteration, establishment, or expansion, or the proposed construction, alteration, establishment, or expansion, of a structure or sanitary landfill when the notice will promote—
(1) safety in air commerce;
(2) the efficient use and preservation of the navigable airspace and of airport traffic capacity at public-use airports; or
(3) the interests of national security, as determined by the Secretary of Defense.
(b) Studies.—
(1) In general.—
Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, if the Secretary decides that constructing or altering a structure may result in an obstruction of the navigable airspace, an interference with air navigation facilities and equipment or the navigable airspace, or, after consultation with the Secretary of Defense, an adverse impact on military operations and readiness, the Secretary of Transportation shall conduct an aeronautical study to decide the extent of any adverse impact on the safe and efficient use of the airspace, facilities, or equipment. In conducting the study, the Secretary shall—
(A) consider factors relevant to the efficient and effective use of the navigable airspace, including—
(i) the impact on arrival, departure, and en route procedures for aircraft operating under visual flight rules;
(ii) the impact on arrival, departure, and en route procedures for aircraft operating under instrument flight rules;
(iii) the impact on existing public-use airports and aeronautical facilities;
(iv) the impact on planned public-use airports and aeronautical facilities;
(v) the cumulative impact resulting from the proposed construction or alteration of a structure when combined with the impact of other existing or proposed structures; and
(vi) other factors relevant to the efficient and effective use of navigable airspace; and
(B) include the finding made by the Secretary of Defense under subsection (f).
(2) Report.—
On completing the study, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue a report disclosing the extent of the—
(A) adverse impact on the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace that the Secretary finds will result from constructing or altering the structure; and
(B) unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States, as determined by the Secretary of Defense under subsection (f).
(3) Severability.—
A determination by the Secretary of Transportation on hazard to air navigation under this section shall remain independent of a determination of unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States by the Secretary of Defense under subsection (f).
(c) Broadcast Applications and Tower Studies.—
In carrying out laws related to a broadcast application and conducting an aeronautical study related to broadcast towers, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Communications Commission shall take action necessary to coordinate efficiently—
(1) the receipt and consideration of, and action on, the application; and
(2) the completion of any associated aeronautical study.
(d) Limitation on Construction of Landfills.—
(1) In general.—
No person shall construct or establish a municipal solid waste landfill (as defined in section 258.2 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this subsection) that receives putrescible waste (as defined in section 257.3–8 of such title) within 6 miles of a public airport that has received grants under chapter 471 and is primarily served by general aviation aircraft and regularly scheduled flights of aircraft designed for 60 passengers or less unless the State aviation agency of the State in which the airport is located requests that the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration exempt the landfill from the application of this subsection and the Administrator determines that such exemption would have no adverse impact on aviation safety.
(2) Limitation on applicability.—
Paragraph (1) shall not apply in the State of Alaska and shall not apply to the construction, establishment, expansion, or modification of, or to any other activity undertaken with respect to, a municipal solid waste landfill if the construction or establishment of the landfill was commenced on or before the date of the enactment of this subsection.
(e) Review of Aeronautical Studies.—
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall develop procedures to allow the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security to review and comment on an aeronautical study conducted pursuant to subsection (b) prior to the completion of the study.
(f) National Security Finding.—
As part of an aeronautical study conducted under subsection (b) and in accordance with section 183a(e) of title 10, the Secretary of Defense shall—
(1) make a finding on whether the construction, alteration, establishment, or expansion of a structure or sanitary landfill included in the study would result in an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States; and
(2) transmit the finding to the Secretary of Transportation for inclusion in the report required under subsection (b)(2).
(g) Special Rule for Identified Geographic Areas.—
In the case of a proposed structure to be located within a geographic area identified under section 183a(d)(2)(B) of title 10, the Secretary of Transportation may not issue a determination pursuant to this section until the Secretary of Defense issues a finding under section 183a(e) of title 10, the Secretary of Defense advises the Secretary of Transportation that no finding under section 183a(e) of title 10 will be forthcoming, or 180 days have lapsed since the project was filed with the Secretary of Transportation pursuant to this section, whichever occurs first.
(h) Definitions.—
In this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) Adverse impact on military operations and readiness.—
The term “adverse impact on military operations and readiness” has the meaning given the term in section 183a(g) of title 10.
(2) Unacceptable risk to the national security of the united states.—
The term “unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States” has the meaning given the term in section 183a(g) of title 10.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1200; Pub. L. 104–264, title XII, § 1220(a), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3286; Pub. L. 106–181, title V, § 503(b), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 133; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title III, § 332, Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1369; Pub. L. 114–248, § 1(a), Nov. 28, 2016, 130 Stat. 998; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title III, § 341(a)(1)–(4)(A), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2079–2081; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title III, § 311(b)(2), (3), (e), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1347, 1348.)
text: Historical and Revision Notes
Revised
Section
Source (U.S. Code)
Source (Statutes at Large)
44718(a)
49 App.:1501(a).
Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, § 1101, 72 Stat. 797; restated Dec. 30, 1987, Pub. L. 100–223, § 206 (less (b)), 101 Stat. 1521; Oct. 31, 1992, Pub. L. 102–581, § 203(a), 106 Stat. 4890.
44718(b)
49 App.:1501(b).
44718(c)
49 App.:1501(c).
In subsection (a), before clause (1), the words “(hereinafter in this section referred to as the ‘Secretary’)” and “where necessary” are omitted as surplus.
In subsection (b)(1), before clause (A), the word “thoroughly” is omitted as surplus.
heading: References in Text
text: The date of the enactment of this subsection, referred to in subsec. (d), probably means the date of enactment of Pub. L. 106–181, which amended subsec. (d) generally, and which was approved Apr. 5, 2000.
heading: Amendments
text: 2017—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 115–91, § 311(b)(2), inserted “and in accordance with section 183a(e) of title 10” after “conducted under subsection (b)” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 115–91, § 311(e)(2), added subsec. (g). Former subsec. (g) redesignated (h).
Pub. L. 115–91, § 311(b)(3), substituted “183a(g) of title 10” for “211.3 of title 32, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on January 6, 2014” in pars. (1) and (2).
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 115–91, § 311(e)(1), redesignated subsec. (g) as (h).
2016—Pub. L. 114–328, § 341(a)(4)(A), inserted “or national security” after “air commerce” in section catchline.
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 114–328, § 341(a)(1), added par. (3).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 114–328, § 341(a)(2), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) related to studies by Secretary to determine obstruction of airspace by newly contructed or altered structures.
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 114–248, § 1(a)(1), substituted “air or space navigation facilities and equipment” for “air navigation facilities and equipment” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (b)(1)(F). Pub. L. 114–248, § 1(a)(2)–(4), added subpar. (F).
Subsecs. (f), (g). Pub. L. 114–328, § 341(a)(3), added subsecs. (f) and (g).
2011—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 112–81 added subsec. (e).
2000—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 106–181 amended heading and text of subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For the purposes of enhancing aviation safety, in a case in which 2 landfills have been proposed to be constructed or established within 6 miles of a commercial service airport with fewer than 50,000 enplanements per year, no person shall construct or establish either landfill if an official of the Federal Aviation Administration has stated in writing within the 3-year period ending on the date of the enactment of this subsection that 1 of the landfills would be incompatible with aircraft operations at the airport, unless the landfill is already active on such date of enactment or the airport operator agrees to the construction or establishment of the landfill.”
1996—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 104–264 added subsec. (d).
heading: Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 106–181 applicable only to fiscal years beginning after Sept. 30, 1999, see section 3 of Pub. L. 106–181, set out as a note under section 106 of this title.
heading: Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
text: Except as otherwise specifically provided, amendment by Pub. L. 104–264 applicable only to fiscal years beginning after Sept. 30, 1996, and not to be construed as affecting funds made available for a fiscal year ending before Oct. 1, 1996, see section 3 of Pub. L. 104–264, set out as a note under section 106 of this title.
heading: Rulemaking
text: Pub. L. 114–248, § 1(b), Nov. 28, 2016, 130 Stat. 998, provided that: “Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 28, 2016], the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall initiate a rulemaking to implement the amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section].”
heading: Tower Marking
text: Pub. L. 114–190, title II, § 2110, July 15, 2016, 130 Stat. 623, provided that:
“(a) In General.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [July 15, 2016], the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall issue regulations to require the marking of covered towers.
“(b) Marking Required.—
The regulations under subsection (a) shall require that a covered tower be clearly marked in a manner that is consistent with applicable guidance under the Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular issued December 4, 2015 (AC 70/7460–1L), or other relevant safety guidance, as determined by the Administrator.
“(c) Application.—
The regulations issued under subsection (a) shall ensure that—
“(1) all covered towers constructed on or after the date on which such regulations take effect are marked in accordance with subsection (b); and
“(2) a covered tower constructed before the date on which such regulations take effect is marked in accordance with subsection (b) not later than 1 year after such effective date.
“(d) Definitions.—
“(1) In general.—
In this section, the following definitions apply:
“(A) Covered tower.—
“(i) In general.—
The term ‘covered tower’ means a structure that—
“(I) is self-standing or supported by guy wires and ground anchors;
“(II) is 10 feet or less in diameter at the above-ground base, excluding concrete footing;
“(III) at the highest point of the structure is at least 50 feet above ground level;
“(IV) at the highest point of the structure is not more than 200 feet above ground level;
“(V) has accessory facilities on which an antenna, sensor, camera, meteorological instrument, or other equipment is mounted; and
“(VI) is located—
“(aa) outside the boundaries of an incorporated city or town; or
“(bb) on land that is—
“(AA) undeveloped; or
“(BB) used for agricultural purposes.
“(ii) Exclusions.—
The term ‘covered tower’ does not include any structure that—
“(I) is adjacent to a house, barn, electric utility station, or other building;
“(II) is within the curtilage of a farmstead;
“(III) supports electric utility transmission or distribution lines;
“(IV) is a wind-powered electrical generator with a rotor blade radius that exceeds 6 feet; or
“(V) is a street light erected or maintained by a Federal, State, local, or tribal entity.
“(B) Undeveloped.—
The term ‘undeveloped’ means a defined geographic area where the Administrator determines low-flying aircraft are operated on a routine basis, such as low-lying forested areas with predominant tree cover under 200 feet and pasture and range land.
“(2) Other definitions.—
The Administrator shall define such other terms as may be necessary to carry out this section.
“(e) Database.—
The Administrator shall—
“(1) develop a database that contains the location and height of each covered tower;
“(2) keep the database current to the extent practicable;
“(3) ensure that any proprietary information in the database is protected from disclosure in accordance with law; and
“(4) ensure that, by virtue of accessing the database, users agree and acknowledge that information in the database—
“(A) may only be used for aviation safety purposes; and
“(B) may not be disclosed for purposes other than aviation safety, regardless of whether or not the information is marked or labeled as proprietary or with a similar designation.”
heading: Study of Effects of New Construction of Obstructions on Military Installations and Operations
text: Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title III, § 358, Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4198, as amended by Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title III, § 331, Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1369; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, § 1076(b)(1), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title III, § 314, Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 790, related to study of effects of new construction of obstructions on military installations and operations, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title III, § 311(b)(1), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1347. See section 183a of Title 10, Armed Forces.
heading: Landfills Interfering With Air Commerce
text: Pub. L. 106–181, title V, § 503(a), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 133, provided that:
“Congress finds that—
“(1) collisions between aircraft and birds have resulted in fatal accidents;
“(2) bird strikes pose a special danger to smaller aircraft;
“(3) landfills near airports pose a potential hazard to aircraft operating there because they attract birds;
“(4) even if the landfill is not located in the approach path of the airport’s runway, it still poses a hazard because of the birds’ ability to fly away from the landfill and into the path of oncoming planes;
“(5) while certain mileage limits have the potential to be arbitrary, keeping landfills at least 6 miles away from an airport, especially an airport served by small planes, is an appropriate minimum requirement for aviation safety; and
“(6) closure of existing landfills (due to concerns about aviation safety) should be avoided because of the likely disruption to those who use and depend on such landfills.”