Burbank Airport Expansion

Your Sept. 19 editorial, “Argument Doesn’t Fly,” mistakenly praises the unrealistic noise reduction measures in the city of Burbank and the Airport Authority’s framework for settlement while dismissing the efforts of Reps. Howard Berman, Brad Sherman and myself to address airport noise in a fair and meaningful way.

My constituents in Studio City and the hillside communities to the south can tell you that the Airport Authority has never enforced the current voluntary night curfew. This gives me little confidence that the proposed terminal closure and de facto curfew in the framework will be carried out. Furthermore, the framework’s guidelines for residents’ input are vague and do not address the inadequacies of previous noise studies.

As for the proposed ban on easterly takeoffs, your editorial claims these would “put planes into airspace dominated by Los Angeles International Airport.” Not true, according to Lydia Kennard, interim executive director of L.A. World Airports, who stated that eastern departures at Burbank would in no way conflict with LAX traffic.

Finally, I take issue with the editorial’s suggestion that my colleagues and I would give short shrift to safety considerations. We simply believe that an airport agreement can be reached that addresses the safety and quality of life of all residents affected by Burbank Airport noise. Unfortunately, the current framework for settlement falls far short of what is needed.

REP. HENRY A. WAXMAN

D-Los Angeles

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The Sept. 19 Valley Edition contained an op-ed piece by Congressman Howard Berman on why the noise burden imposed on [San Fernando] Valley residents is the leading issue in any settlement involving the Burbank Airport (“Airport Framework Ignores Noise Burden on the Valley”).

He’s wrong; the real issue is where you and the California congressional delegation and several city councils have been through all the years that the citizens of the state have been subjected to the noise and congestion created by major airports. The problem is not local. Van Nuys, LAX, San Francisco International, El Toro, Miramar in San Diego, O’Hare in Chicago and Las Vegas all face opposition to the added noise and congestion brought by expansion.

We’ve known for some time that there can be no firm curfew on airport flight operations without completing a study known as an Federal Aviation Administration Part 161 study. Such a study has been estimated to take as long as two years with no guarantee that the FAA will simply accept a result that justifies a night curfew.

It’s time to lobby Congress to change the laws authorizing the FAA and to establish a separate organization to deal with compatibility between residents and airports. Let the FAA have control of flight safety, but put the local interface in the hands of an organization assigned that task exclusively, and that is willing to try to solve the problems.

WALT MEARES

Burbank

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Hurray for Reps. Howard Berman, Brad Sherman and Henry Waxman! Thank you for recognizing that the Burbank City Council, by agreeing to eliminate all eastern takeoffs, will cause the neighborhoods of Valley Village, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Van Nuys and North Hollywood to suffer incommensurately the noise and pollution from an ever-expanding Burbank Airport. Meanwhile, the airport owners, Glendale, Pasadena and Burbank, will rejoice in the relative silence. How much more abuse can we take from Burbank Airport?

This has become an air war over our communities. Ted McConkey is leading the charge of those who say enough is enough! Even the FAA has answered the call and now opposes the agreement that Burbank Mayor Stacey Murphy shook hands on in a back-room deal. Finally, our representatives are doing what they should, echoing the voices of their constituents.

BERT L. McQUOWN

Valley Village

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Re: “Congressmen Urge FAA to Toss Burbank Airport Plan,” Sept. 14.

I love Burbank Airport and use it whenever I can. Fast in, fast out, but let’s face it, the airport is getting old and deserves a rejuvenation and a new terminal. So let’s get on with it and do it! Keep the politicians out. We know they only slow down progress. Burbank, you have done a wonderful job with your city. Keep up the good work.

KARIN VILLELLA

Burbank