DOT Facilities_.

Percent of TST fiscal year 1971 total

Other Govt. Facilities (Including Interagency Transfers).

Contract Research:

University

Nonprofit Industry.

Profit Industry---.

Total

7. Mechanisms for identifying and addressing large-scale environmental questions. Mechanisms for coordinating activities with the EPA.

Noise Abatement

Research and Development efforts relating to the abatement of transportation noise are coordinated within the Department of Transportation through the Department of Transportation Noise Abatement Committee. Attachment 1 is a copy of the order establishing the Committee and outlining its objectives, composition, sponsor, and procedures.

Mechanisms for interdepartmental coordination of the Federal Aircraft Noise Abatement Program are well established. President Johnson's Transportation Message of March 2, 1967, directed the initiation of the program (see Attachment 2). His memorandum of March 22, 1967, further clarified that direction (see Attachment 3). Attachment 4 delegates the responsibility for the Aircraft Noise Abatement Program, including the coordination of the efforts of the various agencies, to the Department of Transportation. Attachment 5 shows the organizational structure of the Interagency Aircraft Noise Abatement Program.

Coordination of activities in the noise abatement areas with the EPA is achieved by personal contact at the working level. Specific relationships are currently in the process of being formalized.

Advanced Unconventional Automobile Power Systems

In February of 1970, President Nixon announced a new Federal Program under the general leadership of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to develop a nonconventionally powered, virtually pollution free automobile by 1975. Chairman Russell Train in May 1970 assigned the lead agency role to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, which at that time had the responsibility for air pollution control. At the same time he asked the Department of Transportation to consider the mass production aspects of nonconventionally powered cars, or as it has come to be known, Advanced Automotive Power Systems. On June 17, 1970, Secretary Volpe accepted the responsibility for considering the mass production aspects and offered to support the research and development program with the resources of the Department to the extent possible.

Subsequently, the Secretary designated the Assistant Secretary for Systems Development and Technology to conduct liaison with the National Air Pollution Control Administration [now part of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)] on the AAPS program. He also requested the Assistant Secretary to coordinate the Department's activities that relate to advanced unconventional power systems. The Assistant Secretary, in turn, established a working group to effect the intra-departmental coordination, composed of representatives from UMTA, NHTSA, and appropriate Secretarial offices. (See Attachment 6.) He also appointed a Department of Transportation representative to the CEQ's Advisory Committee on Advanced Power Systems to further aid in interdepartmental coordination of the AAPS program (see Attachment 7). Liaison on the working level between DOT and the Air Pollution Control Office of the EPA is conducted by DOT's Transportation Systems Center.

Climate Impact Assessment

DOT, under the management responsibility of TST, currently has underway a Climatic Impact Assessment Program (CIAP). The objective of the program is to assess by mid-1974 the effects upon climate of the projected subsonic and supersonic aircraft fleet in the 1985 time frame. To accomplish the CIAP objectives, the established expertise of other government agencies is being utilized. For a relatively small expenditure, it is possible to incorporate in specific programs or other agencies a set of aeronautical considerations which will result in an examination of the effects of increasing supersonic and subsonic flight in the stratosphere. Where necessary, new projects are established.

The Environmental Advisory Committee, composed of scientific experts from other agencies of the government, provides advice on the content and direction of CIAP. The EPA is represented on the committee. Additionally, the Commerce Technical Advisory Board (CTAB) Panel on Environmental Research, composed of nongovernmental experts, gives an independent appraisal of research programs related to assessment of the environmental effects of aircraft. A joint CIAP project with the AEC is already underway. Extensive coordination discussions have been held with NASA, DOD, NOAA, NBS, and the AEC.

8. Important questions unable to research adequately within existing research structure. Main hinderances to proceeding with such research.

The Department of Transportation is proceeding in an orderly fashion to develop the research capability essential to answer the important environmental questions associated with present and future transportation systems.

ATTACHMENT 1

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION,

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, Washington, D.C., September 2, 1969.

SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NOISE ABATEMENT COMMITTEE

1. PURPOSE. This order establishes the Department of Transportation (DOT) Noise Abatement Committee to consider and make recommendations to the Secretary through the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology concerning the development and implementation of transportation noise abatement programs.

2. OBJECTIVES:

(a) The principal objectives of the Committee are:

(1) to define the general requirements for all programs concerned with transportation noise abatement; and,

(2) to provide a mechanism whereby the Office of the Secretary (OST) and the operating administrations can coordinate their efforts to obtain the maximum use of noise abatement technology in the design of transportation systems.

(b) Specifically, the Committee Members shall:

(1) by copy of significant documentation, coordinate with the Chairman and other personnel in the Office of Noise Abatement, OST, during the planning stages of all research and development efforts involving transportation noise;

(2) consult with the committee concerning proposed standards and criteria relating to transportation noise abatement so that uniformity can be achieved to the extent deemed practicable, involving acceptable rating scales;

(3) represent the appropriate operating administrations in deriving suggestions that are deemed to be appropriate, involving noise abatement; and

(4) when appropriate, develop Department-wide posture for noise abatement activities.

3. COMPOSITION:

(a) The Chairman of the Committee is the Director of Noise Abatement, OST.

(b) Committee Members will be individually appointed by the heads of operating administrations and should be representatives of the operating administrations who are primarily involved in noise abatement programs on a day-to-day basis.

(c) Committee Members from secretarial offices (TPI), TEU and TGC) who are concerned with policy and legal aspects of noise abatement covered by paragraph 2 will be individually appointed by the heads of the secretarial offices.

4. SPONSOR. The Director of Noise Abatement, OST, is designated as the official sponsor of this Committee. As sponsor, he will:

(a) appoint an Executive Secretary to serve on the Committee;

(b) provide staff and secretarial support to the Committee; and,

(c) perform any other duties required of the sponsor by DOT 1100.22, Committee Management.

5. PROCEDURES:

(a) Meetings will be held at the call of the Chairman.

(b) Agenda items will be formulated by the Chairman at his discretion or at the request of Committee Members.

6. Statement. The formation and use of the DOT Noise Abatement Committee is determined to be in the public interest in connection with the performance of duties imposed on the Department by law.

7. Activation. The sponsor shall activate the DOT Noise Abatement Committee as soon as practicable upon approval of this order.

JAMES M. BEGGS, Acting Secretary of Transportation.

ATTACHMENT 2

AIRCRAFT NOISE

The jet age has brought progress and prosperity to our air transportation system. Modern jets can carry passengers and freight across a continent at speeds close to that of sound.

Yet this progress has created special problems of its own. Aircraft noise is a growing source of annoyance and concern to the thousands of citizens who live near many of our large airports. As more of our airports begin to accommodate jets and as the volume of air travel expands, the problem will take on added dimension.

There are no simple or swift solutions. But it is clear that we must embark now on a concerted effort to alleviate the problems of aircraft noise. To this end, I am today directing the President's Science Advisor to work with the Administrators of the Federal Aviation Agency and National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Secretaries of Commerce, and of Housing and Urban Development, to frame an action program to attack this problem.

I am asking this group to:

Study the development of noise standards and the compatible uses of land near airports,

Consult with local communities and industry,

Recommend legislative or administrative action needed to move ahead in this area.

ATTACHMENT 3

139. MEMORANDUM ON AIRCRAFT NOISE AND LAND USE IN THE VICINITY OF AIRPORTS MARCH 22, 1967

MEMORANDUM FOR HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

Subject: Aircraft Noise and Compatible Land Use in the Vicinity of Airports. Air traffic in the vicinity of airports has increased enormously in recent years and the expansion of air commerce and air travel promises to continue. One of the results is that persons and property in the vicinity of airports are being exposed to an increasing amount of aircraft noise. At the same time, our growing economy and population create pressures for increasingly intensive land use near transportation facilities, including airports.

It is imperative to the growth of aviation and to the welfare of our people that means be found to contain such noise within levels compatible with the pursuit of other desirable activities and the quiet enjoyment of property. We must do all in our power to assure that the environment in which we live is not overburdened with any form of pollutant, including excessive noise.

Various agencies of the Federal Government either have programs which affect land use near airports or participate in various ways in actions affecting such land. They must all be deeply concerned with seeking solutions to the problems of noise and compatible land use around airports. To obtain the maximum benefit from knowledge and technology developed within the Federal Government, each Federal Agency or Department should coordinate its efforts and cooperate fully with the particular Departments most concerned, which are the Department of Transportation in matters relating to the prevention, control and abatement of aircraft noise, and the Department of Hous ing and Urban Development in matters relating to the compatible use of land in the vicinity of airports.

The Heads of the Departments, Agencies and Establishments of the Executive Branch of Government are therefore directed, consistent with the performance of their mission and the relevant legislation, to take into explicit and due account aircraft noise whenever it is relevant to any of their programs or to action in which they may participate, and to cooperate with the Secretaries of the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development in efforts to control and reduce the problems of aircraft noise.

NOTE. On the same day the White House Press Office made public a report to the President from Dr. Donald F. Hornig, Special Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, summarizing steps taken by him in collaboration with officials of the Federal Aviation Agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to frame a program to alleviate problems of aircraft noise in the vicinity of airports.

The cooperating agencies, the report said, had agreed on a program aimed at ascertaining how such noise can be reduced through design of engines and airframes, procedures and techniques of flight operations, and land use in the vicinity of airports. In furtherance of the program, the report continued, the Federal Aviation Agency had proposed legislation to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to certify new aircraft on the basis of noise as well as safety standards.

Dr. Hornig's report stated that in its first year of operation the program had "achieved an industry and governmentwide consensus" on two basic approaches to the problem of aircraft noise abatement: a generally accepted method of assessing human reaction to aircraft noise, and agreement that noise level as well as safety must be a criterion in aircraft certification. The report is printed in the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents (vol. 3, p. 527).

ATTACHMENT 4

THE WHITE HOUSE, Washington, D.C., August 25, 1967.

Hon. ALAN F. BOYD,

Secretary of Transportation,

Washington, D.C.

DEAR ALAN: Thank you for your letter of August 3, 1967.

As you know, the President in his Transportation Message of March 2, 1967, directed me to work with the Administrators of the FAA and the NASA, and the Secretaries of the Department of Commerce and of Housing and Urban Development, to frame and conduct an Aircraft Noise Abatement Program. The present inter-agency program, and the tools for its continued development and management (the Policy Committee, the Program Evaluation and Development Committee (PEDC), and the Management Committee), were the result of this direction. The President concurs in the transfer of this responsibility, including the coordination of the efforts of the various agencies, to the Department of Transportation. Accordingly, as suggested by your letter, a first step in your take over of these responsibilities should be the assumption of the Chairmanship of the Policy Committee and of the PEDC by you or your designee. I would like to retain my membership in the Policy Committee, and designate Dr. N. E. Golovin of the Office of Science and Technology to represent me as an observer in the work of the PEDC and in the coordinating activities of the Management Committee.

Also, as you know, the OST Coordinating Committee on Sonic Boom Studies (CCSBS) has provided technical direction for the national program of studies concerning the nature, characteristics and effects of sonic booms on structures, animals and people. The Air Force has acted as Executive Agent for the program. I am quite agreeable to your assuming direction of the national program of sonic boom studies and, in particular, of having you or your designee become Chairman of the CCSBS. However, I believe OST participation in sonic boom studies should continue, and designate Dr. N. E. Golovin to be my representative on the CCSBS.

My experience suggests that progress of both the aircraft noise and sonic boom study programs will require your personal interest and occasionally your active participation. I suggested you begin your direction of them with this need clearly in mind. In addition, as you know, we have offered to collaborate with the British and French Governments in establishing sonic boom criteria. At this moment, we are committed to the British and French Directors of the Concorde project to make a proposal as to how we might best proceed. I assume you will take over this responsibility as well.

Since no future meetings have been scheduled, you are free to set the date for the next meeting of each Committee under the sponsorship of your Office. I will advise the Committee of the above change in the next day or two.

Coordination of Activities Relating to Potential Unconventional Automobile Engines.

Assistant Secretary for Systems Development and Technology.

Assistant Secretary for Administration.

Assistant Secretary for Environment and Urban Systems.

Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs.

Assistant Secretary Designated for Safety and Consumer Affairs.

Urban Mass Transportation Administrator.

Director, National Highway Safety Bureau.

Director, Transportation Systems Center.

The instant memorandum from the Secretary designates me as the Department's representative to coordinate our activities with HEW in the unconventional automobile engine R&D program area. In addition, the memorandum assigns to the responsibility for coordinating our own work focusing on potential unconventional automobile engines, including the economic and social impacts, as well as the technological considerations.

Accordingly, I am establishing a working group to lay out in greater depth ways by which this Department can carry out the responsibilities described by Chairman Train in his May 13 letter and accepted by the Secretary in his June 17 response. Please designate a member of your staff to serve on the working group and transmit his name to me by COD August 25. Dr. Richard D. Strombotne of my staff will represent me on the working group and serve as its leader. His extension is 13-27851.

The first meeting of the working group is scheduled for Thursday, August 27, 9:30 a.m., in conference room SC.