As we reported yesterday in our blog titled “FAA Reauthorization Act Exempts Next Generation Airspace Redesign Projects from Environmental Review,” Congress is set to act on the conference version of H.R. 658 (“Act”), a Bill the nominal purpose of which is to fund the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) for 2011-2014, a task Congress has been unable or unwilling to accomplish for the last two years. 

The legislation goes far beyond funding, however.  Toward another stated purpose – to “streamline programs” – the Act sets out the parameters for establishment and operation of FAA’s Next Generation Transportation System (“NextGen”).  Not stopping there, it also “creates efficiencies” by exempting the NextGen program from environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. § 4321, et seq. (“NEPA”), Act, § 213.  Thus, whole communities around at least 30 “core” airports might be newly impacted by aircraft overflights seemingly without the opportunity for public review and comment before the NextGen project is implemented, and without an avenue of leverage in the courts afterwards.  All is not yet lost, however.
 

Citizens appear to have at least three remaining means to obtain relief.  First, H.R. 658 is set for Congressional consideration at 5:30 p.m., Monday, February 6, 2012.  However, if communities around airports throughout the United States weigh in en masse with their Senators and Congressmen, between now and then, by e-mail, the legislation’s summary consideration may be considerably lengthened.  With enough vocal opposition from the public, it is even possible, though not probable, that the offending § 213 may be deleted. 

Another strategy for overcoming the obstacle to environmental relief being established by Congress involves response to the solicitation of comments on proposed changes to FAA regulations, 14 Code of Federal Regulations § 91, 121, 125, 129 and 135, 76 Fed.Reg. 77,939 (December 15, 2011), adding regulations governing NextGen.  The Congressional exemption from NEPA allows for the Administrator to exercise discretion in deciding whether “extraordinary circumstances exist with respect to the procedure,” such that the presumption of no significant environmental effect may be abrogated.  § 213(c)(1) and (2).  Thus, relevant comments on the new regulations would include an exhortation to the Administrator to expand the parameters of the “extraordinary circumstances,” from the already existing factors of increased fuel consumption, carbon dioxide emissions and noise, to include revision in flight paths that bring aircraft over communities not previously overflown, and which substantially lower altitudes over communities that are currently overflown.

Finally, and hopefully as a last resort, there remains recourse to other Federal statutes as a basis for court action.  A categorical exclusion under NEPA does not excuse FAA from complying with its obligations under other environmental statutes.

In short, what is critically important in the short run is: (1) a massive and focused campaign to convince our Congressional representatives that the public health and welfare should be as well protected as administrative “efficiencies;” and (2) a well-orchestrated set of comments on the regulatory revisions governing NextGen to take advantage of the loopholes in the Federal legislation.