NEWS from Congressman Sabo
Representing Minnesota's Fifth Congressional District
For Immediate Release Contact: Travis Talvitie
July 31, 2003 (202) 225-4755
Sabo Livid at Provision to Undermine MSP Noise Mitigation
Washington, D.C. -- Congressman Martin Olav Sabo (DFL-Minneapolis) today released the following
statement regarding a legislative proposal to severely restrict noise mitigation plan for communities near the
Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. The language was inserted into legislation to reauthorize programs
of the Federal Aviation Administration:
I am deeply disappointed that this provision was included in the FAA
reauthorization conference agreement. Clearly, the language was quietly
inserted late in the process with the intent to preclude congressional analysis
of its impacts and to deny input by the local officials and citizens who would be
most affected by it.
I have written to the conferees on this legislation to express my strong
views and to request that the provision be removed from the bill.
(Please note that a copy of Sabo's letter to conferees follows)
# # #
July 30, 2003
The Honorable Don Young The Honorable James L. Oberstar
Chairman Ranking Member
House Committee on Transportation House Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure and Infrastructure
2165 Rayburn House Office Building 2163 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable John McCain The Honorable Ernest Hollings
Chairman Ranking Member
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science Senate Committee on Commerce, Science
and Transportation and Transportation
560 Dirksen Senate Office Building 560 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510
Gentlemen:
I am deeply concerned that Section 189 of the conference report on H.R. 2115, the FAA
reauthorization bill, could undermine longstanding commitments of the Metropolitan Airports
Commission to address aircraft noise impacts on communities around the Minneapolis-St. Paul
International Airport (MSP).
As you likely know, MSP is one of the largest airports in the United States, and it is located in
the heart of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Approval for major expansion of MSP, including
construction of the new North-South runway was achieved through complex negotiations with
government, industry and citizen stakeholders. Appropriate mitigation of airport noise impacts has
been one of the most contentious issues to deal with.
On its face, Section 189 jeopardizes the ability of the MAC to secure Department of
Transportation approval for a new Airport Noise Compatibility Program that honors its good-faith
commitments to mitigate MSP noise impacts beyond 65 DNL noise level. Even more disturbing,
Section 189 could be broadly interpreted to prevent the MAC from using even its own funds to live up to
these agreements.
I respectfully request that the conference agreement be reopened, and that Section 189 be
stricken.
Sincerely,
S
Martin Olav Sabo
Member of Congress
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Olin Moore
Office of Congressman Martin Olav Sabo
Sheridan
