THE SENATE |
S.R. NO. |
101 |
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022 |
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
SENATE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THAT the DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SPECIFY RULES, PROCEDURES, STANDARDS, AND STRATEGIES FOR ENFORCEMENT OF MANDATORY NOISE ABATEMENT AS PART OF THE TOUR AIRCRAFT OPERATORS PERMIT.
WHEREAS, in the past three years alone, residents of Hawaii Island, Molokai, and Maui have publicly reported dozens of low-flying tour helicopters over their homes each day, with as many as seventy to eighty during peak periods; and
WHEREAS, a report by the National Resources Council states that helicopter noise can lead to sleep-deprivation, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal problems, as well as reduced learning abilities among children; and
WHEREAS, the "Fly Neighborly Program" or its equivalent is currently a requirement of the Department of Transportation's application for the tour aircraft operators permit, for which applicants must include noise abatement procedures to be employed in the vicinity of identified noise sensitive areas, and procedures to be used in responding to complaints generated by or suspected to be generated by the aircraft; and
WHEREAS, it is critical that the Department of Transportation implement and enforce standards of the "Fly Neighborly Program" to improve and restore the health, welfare, and quality of life of Hawaii residents, and to sustain the general public's valued experience of natural and recreational resources through reducing the level of noise pollution created by tour aircrafts; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2022, that the Department of Transportation is requested to promulgate rules, standards, and strategies for enforcement of noise abatement per the "Fly Neighborly Program" or its equivalent as currently required by the tour aircraft operators permit; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is requested to use the "Fly Neighborly Program" or similar equivalent as a guideline for these rules and standards; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Department of Transportation.
|
OFFERED BY: |
_____________________________ |
|
|
DOT; Tour aircraft operators permit