Current Federal regulations restrict airport operators (like Archuleta County) from imposing restrictions that may reduce airport access, for example, curfews, limitations on hours of operation, and bans on aircraft types.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the only agency with the authority to direct or control aircraft in flight.  Therefore, all flight procedures must be approved by the FAA prior to being implemented.

Based on current FAA regulations, airport operators around the nation have developed Noise Abatement and Mitigation Programs, using voluntary measures for aircraft operators.  It is only through cooperation that the issue of noise abatement and mitigation can be effectively managed.

Based on a previous environmental assessment, and current Stevens Field noise levels, the noise level and subsequent impacts do not meet the FAA requirements to be considered “significant” by the FAA, therefore FAA support for measures such as mandatory curfews or major changes in airport status are unlikely.

Stevens Field has developed a study of noise complaints in the Airport vicinity to quantify and categorize the complaints.  Please direct aircraft noise complaints to Stevens Field at (970) 731-3060.

Stevens Field has also developed a Voluntary Noise Abatement Policy in an effort to be responsive to the concerns of our neighbors, and mitigate/minimize the impact of aircraft operations on the community.  Stevens Field will make use of multiple media to notify aircraft operators of the Noise Abatement Policy in an effort to “Be a Good Neighbor”. 

The following is Stevens Field Voluntary noise Abatement Policy

STEVENS FIELD POLICY LETTER

AIRFIELD POLICY:   06-03

SUBJECT:                 Voluntary Noise Abatement 

BACKGROUND:      In an effort to be a good neighbor, and in an attempt to mitigate aircraft noise exposure to area residents, Stevens Field offers the following recommendations:
Runway 19 is Stevens Field preferred landing runway for noise abatement.  The Stevens field prevailing wind is from the south which also supports landings on runway 19.   Stevens field asks that all aircraft use the full length of the runway for take off, and that during departure, aircraft climb at best rate to at least 1000 AGL, making a reduction in power as soon as safely possible.  When runway 19 departures leave airport property a left turn to the south east will take aircraft around Stevens Field most sensitive noise area directly south of runway 19.  Stevens Field recommends that arrivals delay descent to pattern altitude until necessary then use a standard left hand traffic pattern.  Safety is Stevens Field first priority and nothing in this policy is meant to override safety of flight.