Rep. Neguse Introduces Additional Proposals to Address Community Concerns Regarding Regional Airports

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Joe Neguse, a member of the Rules Committee, submitted several amendments focused on addressing community concerns regarding regional airports — specifically Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (RMMA) — to the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriation Bills up for consideration in committee and on the House Floor this week. The proposals support funding in the Interior and Environment and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development spending bills to improve lead testing and air standard monitoring and support aviation noise abatement programs. 

Community members have raised serious concerns regarding the threat of lead and noise pollution from aircrafts for schools, neighborhoods, community centers, and households in neighboring areas. 

“Not only have my constituents suffered relentless noise pollution at all hours of the day and night caused by the RMMA, but studies have shown that these communities are also being subjected to harmful lead pollution,” said Congressman Neguse. “As my colleagues across the aisle continue to pursue anti-environment, pro-pollution proposals, we must push back—encouraging investments that protect the health and safety of families living in hazardous conditions.” 

To address community concerns regarding regional airports, Congressman Neguse submitted the following amendments: 

• To increase the EPA State and Tribal Assistance Grants account by $3 million for lead testing in schools near the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport; 
• To increase the EPA State and Tribal Assistance Grants account by $2 million for air monitors near the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport; 
• To support funding for the EPA's Office of Noise Abatement and Control; 
• To clarify that none of the funds in the FY' 24 Appropriations Bill on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development may be used to require airports to continue selling leaded aviation fuel; 
• To clarify that no FAA funds authorized in the FY' 24 Appropriations Bill on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development may be used to impede aviation noise abatement programs as long as such programs comply with all relevant Federal law; 
• And to clarify that no funds may be used to operate an FAA tower between the hours of 8 pm and 8 am at airports with over 200,000 operations and at least three runways in counties with at least 500,000 people until a noise abatement mitigation program is established. 

Congressman Neguse has been working with community leaders to advocate on behalf of communities in Colorado’s 2nd District located near General Aviation Airports, like the RMMA. Rep. Neguse has repeatedly urged the RMMA and the FAA to address community concerns regarding the airport, including reducing noise pollution and increasing the use of unleaded fuel. 

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