Keller @ Large: Logan Airport Noise Problem Result Of Political Indifference
BOSTON (CBS) -- If you live in one of the many local communities that sit under flight paths used by Logan Airport, you know how annoying the noise those planes generate can be. And the situation appears to be getting worse.
According to the Globe, officials in Milton claim that last month the town "experienced virtually constant" noise for nearly four days straight. It seems new flight paths were implemented by the Federal Aviation Administration that packed more takeoffs and landings into tighter routes, a move designed to cut energy use and promote safety. But it appears little if any thought was given to the impact of concentrated noise on the people living below.
One possible reason: community engagement policies that seem lacking, to say the least.
Last fall, several of our local congressmen pushed through legislation in Washington to force the FAA to improve on a "lack of public outreach." Another bill filed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren would require the FAA to appoint an ombudsman to interact with impacted residents, not just with airline and airport officials.
Here in a nutshell is a chronic problem with the federal government—too often, they just don't listen, and even when they do, the voices of vested interests are given more attention than those of the general public. Just ask your local fisherman, or homeowners who can't afford flood insurance thanks to federal overreach.
If DC bureaucrats are offended by the noisy populism triggered by this year's campaign, maybe they should look at their own hearing problems for some answers.