Aviation Impact Mitigation
THE PROBLEM
Over the last few years, I have received more emails from constituents on one topic than almost anything else: impacts of noise and lead pollution from regional airports.
Excessive Noise
Increased traffic over neighborhoods has had a profound impact on communities situated under the flight path of general aviation airports. The near constant aircraft noise contributes to sleep disruption, high blood pressure, hearing loss, and stress.
Exposure to Lead
Many of the planes flying in and out of regional airports still use leaded fuel. This means Coloradans living under flight paths can’t enjoy their outdoor spaces, consume food from their gardens, or leave their windows open without fear of exposure to elevated levels of lead, which can have adverse effects on body systems and development.
THE SOLUTION
After months of collaboration with aviation experts and community members, we found ways that we can creatively intervene to ensure that communities and airports coexist better. Although this is a significant step forward, the tools and resources available to us at a state level are limited due to the fact that airports and aviation are regulated at the federal level.
My bill with Representative Kyle Brown and Jefferson County legislators Senator Rachel Zenzinger and Representative Shannon Bird, HB24-1235, asks airports to do better to address noise and lead pollution.
Here’s what HB24-1235 would do:
Establish Tax Credits
To remediate impacts caused by harmful leaded fuel, the bill incentivizes aircraft owners to make the switch from leaded to unleaded fuel by providing a new tax credit to cover the costs needed to alter their aircraft.
Amplify Community Voice
The bill adds two members to the Colorado Aeronautical Board who would be residents of communities affected by aviation. In order to integrate community input and experiences into decision-making processes, we need voices from those impacted by aviation at the table.
Want to get involved?
Create Funding Guardrails
The bill sets new requirements for airports in dense residential areas to receive funding from the state’s existing Discretionary Aviation Grant Program. To receive state funding, airports would be required to have plans to phase out the use of leaded fuel and noise abatement procedures, which may include guardrails around flight times and patterns.