STATE OF MARYLAND OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR LARRY OGAN GOVERNOR August 01, 2017 The Honorable Elaine L. Chao, Secretary US. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE - 9th Floor Washington, DC 20590 Re: Next Generation Air Transportation System (N extGen) Dear Secretary Chao: Two months ago, I wrote a letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta expressing my deep concern about increased noise levels in several populous Maryland jurisdictions as a direct result of implementing the Next Generation Air Transportation System (N extGen). I also shared my strong displeasure that the FAA had not provided immediate and meaningful reform to date. Following this recurring theme of little to no action by the FAA, I have yet to receive a reply to my May 11, 2017 letter (enclosed). The Administrator does not seem to understand that chronic aircraft noise exposes otherwise healthy people to stress and potential medical conditions, as well as directly negatively impacting property values for Maryland homeowners. Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI) Airport is the number one airport in the Mid-Atlantic region. With travel on the East Coast rapidly growing, this noise issue has been adversely affecting citizens in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, and Howard Counties for the past three years. In addition the noise issues generated at BWI, our Montgomery County residents have been adversely affected by ?ight path changes at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Montgomery County citizens are experiencing a growing sense of disenfranchisement when attempting to voice their concerns to the appropriate authorities. I respectfully request a review and path forward to address our citizens? concerns, and ask that the Administrator address these issues via a written response to my letter no later than August 15, STATE HOUSE, ANNAPOLIS. MARYLAND 2 40l 974?390l l-8336 TTY USERS CALL VIA MD RELAY 2017. Our administration is committed to seeking sincere resolution on this important matter, and we intend to maintain an open dialog with your of?ce as we work to achieve a mutually acceptable solution. I thank you for your time and attention to this matter. The Maryland Secretary of Transportation, Pete Rahn, is available to discuss further at 410-865-1000 or prahn@mdot.state.md.us, and of course, you may always contact me directly. Sinc Lawrenc . Ho an, Jr. Governor Encl: 2017.05.11 Governor Hogan Letter to Huerta Re NextGen STATE OF MARYLAND OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR LARRY HOGAN GOVERNOR May 11,2017 Michael P. Huerta, Administrator US. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration 800 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20591 Re: NextGen Flight Path Dear Mr. Huerta: As you are aware, the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in November 2014 has dramatically increased the noise levels in several populous Maryland jurisdictions. To date, there has been little to no action taken to mitigate this noise pollution. In fact, the problem has only metastasized into the National Capital Region and beyond. When the Maryland State Highway Administration designs and constructs new highways and bridges, we work hard to minimize the impact of traf?c noise on our citizens. While vehicular noise is to be expected, we strive to provide reasonable actions. We do not willfully ignore the local communities and circumvent their input. You advised the Maryland Aviation Administration to create a Community Roundtable of residents and industry representatives, indicating that the FAA requires a consensus prior to developing, testing and implementing any signi?cant air space procedural changes. The Community Roundtable unanimously adopted the following resolution: ?The DC Metroplex BWI Community Roundtable requests and recommends that the FAA immediately revert to ?ight paths and procedures that were in place prior to implementation of NextGen and the DC Metroplex plan the status quo ante) in order to provide urgent relief to residents adversely affected by these new ?ight paths and procedures, while a more deliberate and public-facing process to develop and implement NextGen and a DC Metroplex plan is undertaken.? STATE HOUSE, MARYLAND 2 40 (410) 974-390l 1-8336 TTY USERS CALL VIA MD RELAY Regardless, your agency has refused to make any meaningful adjustments. In fact, your agency stated at the April 18th meeting that the FAA would not return to the pre-NextGen ?ight paths, and would only make minor modi?cations. This is completely unacceptable. The FAA has a duty to listen and work with the communities it impacts. I am asking for the FAA to reconsider these procedures. There is certainly merit to transitioning into a satellite-based air traf?c control system. However, while the system will provide savings for the airline industry, I will not have the citizens of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, and Montgomery Counties pay a human cost with their health and emotional well-being. Therefore, I ask the FAA to immediately return to the pre-NextGEN ?ight patterns for a period of time while state and local stakeholders are engaged. I sincerely hope that we are able to ?nd common ground and an amicable resolution. I welcome the opportunity to continue this discussion as soon as possible - please contact my Chief of Staff, Sam Malhotra, at gov, or at 410-974-5154, for arrangements. Thank you. Sincerely, HAM: Lawrence J. Hogan, Jr. Governor Cc: The Honorable Kevin Kamenetz The Honorable Allan Kittleman The Honorable Ike Leggett The Honorable Steven Schuh