[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 15, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  REMARKS ON THE NOISE PROBLEM AT DIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 15, 1998

  Mr. BOB SCHAFFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address a 
persistent problem that has plaqued many of my constituents, namely, 
the 24-hour a day noise from Denver International Airport (DIA). Since 
the airport opened in 1995, the hard-working people of Colorado's 
Eastern Plains have been subjected to daily intrusions by the noise of 
arriving and departing aircraft. Compounding this problem is the fact 
that Denver city officials, and bureaucrats at Federal Aviation 
Administration, have failed to adequately address the noise problem. My 
constituents have been caught in a bureaucratic catch-22. The city of 
Denver claims only the FAA has the power to adjust take-off and landing 
patterns, while the FAA maintains any changes must be done at the 
behest of the city and airport officials. Sadly, my constituents are 
the ones caught in the middle.
  Beginning in 1996, Congress placed a prohibition on federal funds for 
the construction of a sixth runway at DIA. This prohibition was the 
direct result of the city of Denver's and the FAA's unwillingness to 
address the noise issue. The hope was withholding funds would compel 
serious solutions for those affected by airport operations. It is 
unfortunate this step was necessary, and I would have preferred an 
amiable discussion, but after trying to work with the FAA and Denver 
officials, it became clear a confrontational approach was the only way 
to secure results.
  Last spring, a study was released on the noise from aircraft 
operations at DIA, Buckley Air National Guard Base, and Centennial 
Airport. This study was commissioned by several front range counties, 
and relied on computer modeling to predict the possible impact of 
various air routes, and the possible addition of a sixth runway. While 
some have argued this justifies the lifting of the funding ban on the 
sixth runway, the report itself makes it clear further work is needed. 
Quoting from the report, ``This study should be viewed as but a first 
step in analysis of possible aircraft-route modifications in the Denver 
area.''
  Lifting the ban on funding the sixth runway took off of the table the 
one tool that has proven effective in forcing the city of Denver to 
straightforwardly face the noise issue. This problem has lingered for 
too long, and the only positive strides that have been made are the 
direct result of the funding prohibition on the sixth runway. Mr. 
Speaker, I encourage the Congress, the FAA and the city of Denver to 
vigorously pursue solutions to DIA noise suitable to the residents of 
Colorado's Eastern Plains.

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