9/27/2004
Philadelphia Airport Air Traffic Noise Response

Philadelphia Airport Air Traffic Noise Response – House Joint Resolution 26

Dear Neighbor:
     Perhaps no issue in recent years has provoked as broad and sustained a response as the negative impact of low flying air traffic on our quality of life in northern Delaware.  Planes on their way to and from the Philadelphia International Airport generate complaints concerning noise, pollution, increased frequency and property value impact.

     Meetings, presentations by the airport and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), calls from other legislators and me and letters from the Governor have been to no avail in moving the Philadelphia Airport or the FAA to bring some relief to the concerns of our community.  Delaware state and local government have no leverage to force change on a Pennsylvania based airport regulated by a federal agency.

     The only movement we’ve had over the last six or so years has been when our federal legislators have pressured the FAA to make some changes.  Thus, former Senator Roth was able to get Northern Delaware included in the environmental impact study for the airport expansion and Senator Biden was able to get the FAA to raise the average height at which planes are ideally supposed to fly over our community.

     Clearly, this out of state airport (which needs federal dollars) and the FAA (a federal agency) have responded only to pressure from our federal legislative delegation.

  It was out of frustration and experience that I co-sponsored House Joint Resolution 26 (attached) which the Governor signed in June of this year.  Since the airport and the FAA have demonstrated they listen only to those who can hold money or the threat of legislative action over their heads, it became apparent that the only hope we had to gain relief was to coordinate the efforts of state and local government with our federal officials to pester the FAA for relief with a united front.

     That is what HJR 26 attempts to do.  It invites Senators Biden and Carper and Congressman Castle to join other task force members, made up of local and state governmental officials, to press for alteration of flight routes, improvements in technology and other changes to lessen the noise over our community and make other quality of life improvements.

     It is my sincere hope that with our federal legislators, joined with us, in a formalized process there can be a concerted and planned attack – backed by the leverage our United States Senators and Congressman have through funding and legislative authority over the airport and the FAA.  The goal of this HJR 26 effort is to bring about changes that will return some measure of peace and quiet to our community.

     I appreciate the many contacts I’ve had from numerous residents over the years regarding “doing something” about the airplane noise issue.  After discussion with my colleagues – who share our frustration at the lack of positive movement by the airport or the FAA – this was the best I could come up with to elevate our pressure to a new level.

     The HJR 26 Action Group has been formed and the group had its first meeting on September 7. The House of Representatives web site tracks task force activity.  You can access membership and minutes by going to:  http://www.legis.state.de.us/ Legislature.nsf.  Click on “House of Representatives” and then “Committee and Task Forces”.  You may have to page down until you find HJR 26.  (Paging Down is done by hitting “Next 30”).

     Thank you for your patience.  It has been a long time dealing with the federal government – too long in my book.  I am hopeful that this “joining together” approach with your federal legislators may finally yield some results.

Sincerely,

Gregory F. Lavelle
State Representative
11^th District

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