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Residents urge Napa County to act on new flight path noise; board says FAA jurisdiction limits authority
Summary
Multiple public speakers described increased jet overflights and disruptions after a flight-path change; supervisors encouraged reporting through the county noise hotline but said the FAA controls airspace and the county cannot unilaterally change flight paths.
Several Napa County residents told the Board of Supervisors on Oct. 7 that a Federal Aviation Administration flight-path change in 2024 has increased jet noise over populated neighborhoods and schools.
Residents described disrupted classrooms, interrupts to family memorials and increased daily overflights in parts of the valley including Old Town Napa, Alta Heights and areas near the Napa River. Lee Nordlund and Richard Delmonico, among others, asked the board to take further action and to convene an independent commission to work on new flight paths.
Why it matters: residents say the new pattern has health, educational and quality-of-life effects and want county intervention. The board responded that while it can collect public comment and convene advisory groups, it lacks authority to impose flight-path changes because the FAA regulates airspace.
Public testimony: Peggy Squires said she has observed "increased air traffic noise" near her Old Town Napa home and reported flights by JSX and other private jets. Lee Nordlund told the board the FAA’s new routing "circles jets over the West Side of Napa" and urged the supervisors to "put on your next agenda the consideration of a new commission that's independent of the airport but working with the airport." Richard Delmonico called the noise "a health hazard" and requested county resources to assess impacts and develop mitigation strategies.
County response: Supervisor Ramos explained that the county "does not backfill the airport" financially and that airport airspace is not within county jurisdiction. Ramos said the county will continue to collect public reports via the airport noise hotline at 254-4333 and to participate in the airport advisory commission and a noise working group. Ramos encouraged residents to submit complaints and said county staff will work to make reporting easier online.
Next steps: the board committed to continue public engagement through the Airport Advisory Commission and the county noise working group, and said staff will improve complaint intake and reporting options. Residents asked the board to consider greater advocacy with the FAA and to examine forming an independent advisory body composed of affected residents and experts.
No vote or binding action on flight paths occurred; supervisors noted the FAA retains regulatory authority over airspace.
