Washington, D.C. - Flanked by neighborhood leaders of his Airport Noise Congressional Advisory Group, U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) today urged the Houston Airport System to immediately halt late night landings on the east end of the new north runway, 26-R, at Bush Intercontinental Airport.
“For families in neighborhoods to the east of the new runway, the airport’s temporary noise restrictions have simply failed”, said Brady. “While neighborhoods to the west have experienced relief -- and I applaud the airport for that -- the east end continues to live with noisy, house-rattling landings at all times of the night. Out of fairness, our families and our children deserve a decent night’s sleep, too.”
Houston airport aviation director Rick Vacar, frustrated with slow action by the Federal Aviation Administration, recently imposed operating restrictions on the northern runway between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. But the restrictions left open landings on the east end of the new runway. Residents in Foxwood, Kenswick, Mill Creek and Northshire neighborhoods have seen no relief from all night landing schedules.
PROGRESS: Brady and his advisory group, working in partnership with Rep.Gene Green, have already secured agreement by the airport to conduct an integrated noise study of the new runway – a federally required first step to determine if local residents are eligible for buy-outs or soundproofing.
At the urging of the two congressmen and neighborhood leaders, the airport will include real-life noise monitors in the noise contour study -- a study that will be conducted by a different consulting group than the one that performed the earlier airport environmental impact study. The airport has invited congressmen Brady and Green to each appoint a neighborhood representative to participate in the process to select a new firm.
“I commend the airport for working with us to find responsible ways to reduce airport noise while preserving the safety of air travelers. But more must be done – and done now -- both locally and by the Federal Aviation Administration”, said Brady.
Other major developments:
Marion Blakey, head of the Federal Aviation Administration, has confirmed she will meet with Brady on IAH noise issues. Brady said he will urge administrator Blakey to act now to put the noise restrictions in place long-term and reverse recent FAA rules that lowered the altitude at which planes approach the northern runway. The lower flight altitude has generated noise complaints from neighborhoods near and far from the airport, as well as traffic concerns from pilots at Hooks Airport in Tomball and Lone Star Executive Airport in Conroe.
Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole will initiate a study by the county to examine health and environmental issues raised by families in neighborhoods adjacent to the new runway. Residents in the neighborhoods have reported being sickened by jet exhaust fumes caused by low-flying aircraft. They have also raised concerns about ash on roofs and cars, oily film on water and swimming pools, breathing problems and the potential of air pollution resulting from hazardous chemicals and particulates in jet fuel exhaust.
“The neighborhoods and I appreciate Commissioner Eversole’s leadership in examining these health issues because they are a very real concern for families around the new runway”, said Brady.
Members of Congressman Brady’s Airport Noise Congressional Advisory Group include: Dick Sprouse, Mike Cothran and Bill Cain of Kenswick, Hank Husky and Bernd Grons of Northshire, Florentino Cosme of Millwood/Kenswick, Barbara Gibbs and Sunny Johnson of Foxwood, Buck Buchanan of Millwood, and Rick Dickson of Belleau Wood.
