Supervisors direct staff to refine 2026 legislative platform language to press FAA for published alternative approaches
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Summary
After public comment on new FAA instrument approaches, the Napa County Board of Supervisors asked staff to revise the county's 2026 legislative and regulatory platform to encourage engagement with the FAA to publish alternative approaches and to avoid an oppositional posture that could risk airport operations.
Public commenters and several supervisors on Jan. 13 pressed the Napa County Board of Supervisors to strengthen the county’s draft 2026 legislative and regulatory platform on airport operations, citing noise and environmental impacts from recent FAA instrument-approach changes into Napa County Airport.
Multiple residents described low-altitude flights over neighborhoods and called for firmer county advocacy. "Residents of Southern Napa County oppose the Federal Aviation Administration's FAA new flight path into the Napa County Airport," one commenter said when urging the county to engage the FAA. Speakers produced data and screenshots showing aircraft altitudes over residential areas.
Supervisor Ramos urged a nuanced approach: rather than stating broad opposition to FAA actions, he recommended language that recognizes the safety merits of the current instrument approach while encouraging the FAA to publish alternative instrument approaches so the county can reduce community impacts. Ramos said publishing additional approaches "will enhance the coexistence of the airport and our residents for the long term." Several supervisors agreed and asked staff to edit the platform accordingly.
Board members also suggested adding language to the platform to preserve the county’s ability to participate in CPUC utility-rate rulemaking and to highlight concerns about PG&E-related projects and coordination with telecommunications undergrounding. Staff told the board both the county's state and federal advocates had provided input on the platform draft, and the board voted to return the item with suggested edits at the next meeting.
Why it matters: The county’s legislative platform guides state and federal advocacy. The board’s direction to seek publication of alternative FAA approaches reflects a strategy of engagement that aims to protect residents’ quality of life while recognizing aviation-safety determinations.
What’s next: Staff will revise the platform to incorporate the board’s airport language and to add recommended references to CPUC and PG&E issues, then bring the updated platform back to the board for action at a future meeting.
