As the principal independent administrative authority concerned with the environment, ACNUSA's main missions are to reopen communication channels, rebuild trust, and ensure that the development of air transport does not penalise residents.The ACNUSA consists of an eight members' assembly and of an eight administrative staff led by a General Secretary.

Independent Authority

Six-year, non-renewable, irrevocable mandate.
Mandate is not compatible with any elective mandate, any professional or associative activity relating to airport activity, and any holding of shares in an aeronautical or airport sector company.

Release of annual activity report submitted to Government and Parliament.
Submission of a case to the Authority by:
Civil Aviation, Town Planning, Housing and Ecology Ministers;
a member of a consultative commission for the environment;
an association concerned with airport noise pollution;
the Authority itself.

General jurisdiction over all civil airports

Power of recommendation on:
measurement of noise, in particular on suitable measuring indicators;
assessment of noise pollution;
control of noise disturbances;
limitations of the impact of air transport and airport activity on the environment, particularly through low-noise take-off and landing procedures.

         
Recommendations of ACNUSA
 

Power of alert regarding breach of decreed regulations in terms of environmental noise control.
Power of investigation into noise issuing from airfields and departure, holding and approach paths. The Authority gathers all useful documents and information and carries out on-site checks or arranges for these to be carried out.

Specific jurisdiction over France's ten largest airports

ACNUSA has the power to:

- define applicable instructions for noise measuring stations;
- set up a program to inform the public about noise regulations;
- give an opinion on draft noise exposure and noise disturbance maps;
- give an opinion on draft regulations concerning the modification of departure,
- holding and approach procedures;
- act as mediator.

Power to impose sanctions

Members of parliament wanted to entrust the Authority to issue administrative fines of up to €1,500 for individuals and €12,000 for corporations. The latter amount was increased to €20,000 for breaches committed after April 20, 2005.

Breaches concern the non-respect of orders issued by the Civil Aviation Minister:
permanent or temporary restrictions on the use of certain aircraft, depending, in particular, on acoustic classification (noisy and noisiest Chapter 3 aircraft);
permanent or temporary restriction of certain activities due to the level of noise they produce;
specific take-off or landing procedures to limit noise disturbances;
regulations relating to engine testing;
maximum noise levels not to be exceeded.

         
Sanctions
Legal texts: clauses L 227-4 and L. 123-4 of the civil aviation code (French)