County Takes Legal Action to Keep Briscoe Field Tower Open

Citing economic and safety concerns, Gwinnett County officials are seeking to join an existing legal effort that would keep Briscoe Field's control towers from being closed.

Officials announced Monday (April 29) that they have filed "a motion to intervene" in the Spokane (Wash.) Airport Board's legal action vs. the FAA. The case, which is before the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, seeks judicial review of the FAA’s decision to defund federal contract towers.

“Gwinnett County is seeking to join in this action as our interests are aligned with those of Spokane and other similarly situated airports with contract towers. While we are seeking to join in the Spokane action, we are also reviewing and monitoring the Reducing Flight Delays Act of 2013, recently passed by Congress, to see how it affects the FAA’s decision regarding the federal contract tower program,” said Gwinnett County Board Chairman Charlotte Nash.

On March 22, the FAA announced that it would stop federal funding for 149 contract towers across the country. This was because of sequestration, federally mandated budget cuts. However, that closure already had been delayed.

Gwinnett County would face "significantly decreased pilot and passenger safety" if Briscoe's control towers were closed, according to legal papers filed by Gwinnett in the Spokane matter.

Also, the county would face "the risk of significant economic harm" if Briscoe Field's towers were closed.

-- Patch will have more updates on the Briscoe Field situation.

See also:

• FAA Extends Tower Closure Date for Briscoe Field