Federal Court Denies Culver City Lawsuit Against the Federal Aviation Administration

On November 30, 2018, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied the City of Culver City’s (“City”) Petition for relief from the impacts of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (“FAA”) Southern California Metroplex Airspace Redesign (“Metroplex Project”).

The City filed its Petition in October 2016 as part of its continuing commitment to protect the health and welfare of its residents and businesses who are experiencing significant noise and air quality impacts from aircraft overflights resulting from the Metroplex Project. The City of Los Angeles, whose residents are also adversely affected by the noise and other impacts of the aircraft overflights, filed an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief in support of Culver City’s Petition.

Culver City explained to the Court the environmental conditions and impacts created by the Metroplex Project, and argued there was an absence of required environmental review in the FAA’s Environmental Assessment (“EA”) for the Metroplex Project. The Court found that the FAA’s analysis of noise and air quality impacts was defensible and reasonable.

The City Council of Culver City still strongly believes that the Metroplex Project has ongoing negative effects on the quality of life in the City. Therefore, the City will continue to coordinate with neighboring cities, as well as state and federal elected officials, to find regional solutions to these issues.

For a full history of the City's actions regarding the City’s lawsuit against the FAA as well as other aircraft noise-related issues, please visit the LAX Aircraft Overflights: Noise Information and Resources page on the City's website.