Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Santa Monica, sent a letter Tuesday to the Federal Aviation Association inviting the agency to a proposed forum with local residents on the future of Santa Monica Airport.
The airport's operating agreement with the FAA expires in 2015 prompting discussions on its future.
"It's time to start having frank conversation with the FAA about SMO post-2015," Waxman said in a press release. "I am asking the FAA to participate in a forum to hear from local residents and the city about their priorities for the airport."
In the past, residents who live close to the airport have complained about noise and pollution; issues which Waxman has addressed in the past calling on the FAA to approve more use of unleaded fuel to reduce emissions during aircraft takeoffs and landings.
During a meeting in May, City Council members pushed for an investment in muffler technology to try to reduce the noise that residents hear and told city officials to move forward with other methods of reducing the impact of the airport on its neighbors, be it reduction of operations or outright closure.
