WASHINGTON—U.S. Representatives Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) and Joe Neguse (CO-02) penned a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (RMMA) urging action on aircraft noise. Coloradans living near RMMA continue to suffer from undue noise pollution. In this letter, the representatives urged the RMMA and FAA to pursue an Airport Noise Compatibility Planning agreement, which would allow the FAA and the RMMA to work together to decrease aircraft noise.
The representatives wrote, “While we understand the limitations of FAA grant assurances, Part 150 would allow RMMA to undergo a voluntary partnership with the FAA to develop plans to mitigate noise and comply with FAA regulations, without compromising safety. Part 150 also requires community input, something our constituents have been asking of RMMA for years. In just the last two years, flight operations at RMMA have increased by 40%. Without a more tangible solution, our communities will continue to suffer.”
“We implore the FAA and RMMA to undergo a Part 150 agreement to find more effective ways of mitigating noise pollution, particularly during sensitive hours. Three general aviation airports in Colorado are already under a Part 150 agreement, and it is past time that RMMA pursues one.”
“With flight activity continually increasing at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, our communities are bearing the brunt of noise pollution,” said Pettersen. “Earlier this year, I passed an important provision to ensure Coloradans can directly communicate with the FAA about the challenges their communities face when it comes to aircraft noise. Now I’m proud to join forces with Congressman Neguse in urging RMMA and the FAA to work together to reduce noise and improve quality of life in our area.”
“For too long, folks in Boulder and Broomfield County have suffered from excessive undue noise pollution while also worrying about the consequences of leaded fuel on their health and well-being. With these letters, we are taking another step towards finding a solution,” said Neguse. “Both letters reflect our many conversations with Coloradans and community leaders, and together, we will keep working to address these challenges.”
Earlier this summer, a bill to reauthorize the FAA passed the House of Representatives, including a Pettersen-led provision to expand avenues for constituents to relay concerns to the Aviation Noise Officer about noise pollution from airports, pollution, and safety in their communities. If passed by the Senate, it would allow the Aviation Noise Officer to relay concerns from the public to the Administrator outside of just the NEPA process and new procedures.
