WASHINGTON, Oct 19 -

This week, U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon (R-Pa.), vice chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, increased pressure on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reconsider a proposal that would redirect significant flight traffic over the airspace of Delaware County, Pa. Congressman Weldon brought two key leaders to the County this week, the Deputy Secretary of Transportation Maria Cino and House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman John Mica (R-FL), who heard the concerns of local officials and Delaware County residents.

“Two very influential officials on our nation’s aviation system were brought to Delaware County this week to gain a better understanding as to how devastating the current airspace redesign proposal would be on the environment and quality of life for thousands of residents in Delaware County,” said Weldon. “We need greater scrutiny of the FAA’s plans by both Congress and the Department of Transportation. These two are key actors in helping to affect the final outcome of this redesign plan.”

The FAA airspace redesign proposal would redirect flight traffic into the Philadelphia International Airport directly over Delaware County, resulting in an increased noise level in some areas by as much as 925 percent. Additionally, the proposed redesign neglects adequate safety measures and environmental concerns for thousands of residents that could be impacted by aircraft failure, and puts important open spaces like the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge at serious risk of environmental harm.

Deputy Secretary Cino and Congressman Weldon toured Swarthmore, Pa. on Monday along with Swarthmore Mayor Elric Gerner, Delaware County Council Chairman Andrew Reilly, State Representative Tom Gannon and State Senator Ted Erickson. They met with local residents and toured the area to help provide perspective on the impact increased flight traffic would have over towns like Swarthmore, which has been identified as one of the townships that would be most severely impacted by the redesign.

“I came here today to be one voice of many to express our concerns, said Swarthmore resident Mary Burke who read off a list of concerns to Deputy Secretary Cino. “I want you to know that your concerns are vitally important,” Cino replied. She added that Congressman Weldon “has gotten attention [on the proposed redesign] at the highest level,” and “through his work we got another eight weeks for [residents to] comment.” Weldon is opposed to any plan that would redirect increased flight traffic over Delaware County, whose 7th Congressional District comprises almost the entire County.

At the invitation of Congressman Weldon, Aviation Subcommittee Chairmain Mica and led a public forum on Wednesday at the Ridley Park Municipal Building to discuss the FAA proposed airspace redesign. Delaware County Chairman Andrew Reilly, State Representative Tom Gannon and State Senator Ted Erickson were among the many elected officials who turned out alongside concerned residents to express their thoughts to Chairman Mica and FAA officials.

The purpose of the meeting was to give residents additional opportunity to comment on the airspace redesign and engage further congressional scrutiny over the FAA’s proposed plan. Chairman Mica reminded the public that even though the FAA makes the decisions about the flight patterns in our Nation’s airspace, his committee oversees their decisions and funding for their proposals. “Congress holds the purse strings to decide whether the FAA’s plans will go forward or not,” said Chairman Mica.

This was Chairman Mica’s second visit to the region at the request of Weldon. In August, Mica met with air traffic controllers and other aviation officials to discuss security at the Philadelphia International Airport. During that visit, Mica was also briefed on the local air traffic congestion issues in the region.

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