Progress Made by Federal Agencies in Implementing the Noise Control Act of 1972

There has been progress in the Federal Government's noise abatement program since April 1977. The most important action taken since then was the issuance by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of a strategy document for the Federal noise control program. This document is a first step in the development of a unified, national effort to reduce noise pollution. The comments on the strategy received from other Government agencies, State and local governments, private industry, and the public were generally in agreement with the issues discussed in the strategy.

Although numerous regulatory measures are available to control noise, many of them have not been utilized to their full potential, including technical assistance to State and local governments, coordination of the numerous Federal programs concerning noise control, and the labeling of noisy products. The progress made in the coordination of Federal research and in development of labeling regulations has been significant. A major reorganization plan announced by the Secretary of Transportation will, when implemented, eliminate the Office of Noise Abatement within the Office of the Secretary and transfer noise control activities to the various operating administrations. It is too soon to determine what effect this reorganization will have on noise abatement activities in the overall transportation area. There are still significant differences between EPA and the Federal Aviation Administration with regard to aviation noise control which will continue until Congress clarifies its intent under the Noise Control Act.