We, the residents of Richmond and Henrico, are facing an unprecedented disruption to our everyday lives. Amazon plans to initiate hundreds of delivery drone flights over our homes every day, from as early as 6:00 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. This invasion of our skies presents significant concerns regarding noise pollution, privacy, and safety.

We oppose this gross expansion of Amazon's operations in our community because:

1.  Residents received no direct, public notice about Amazon's plans to operate drones over our neighborhoods. The Virginia DEQ had a public comment period open less than one month that was not widely publicized or announced to residents in the flight path.  As homeowners, residents, and voters we deserve to be made aware of proposals like this one and should be given ample time to submit our public comments. From our perspective, this drone flight plan is being rammed through quickly to prevent us from having the opportunity to oppose it.
   
   
2. News outlets from Dallas/Fort Worth and Detroit are reporting residents complaining that Amazon drones are robbing them of peace, privacy, and comfort in their own homes. The noise of the drones is disturbing to their children and pets, and they now are listening to hundreds of drones per day while trying to relax in their backyards. This is a quality of life issue. The human psyche is not meant to listen to the constant humming of drone machinery, and we should not have to look up in the sky from our own property to corporate drones viewing us and dropping packages.
   Amazon drone delivery test community complains about constant noise
   It’s Raining Boxes: Amazon Drones Overwhelm a Texas Suburb - The New York Times
   Complaints fester over Amazon drone delivery service in Auburn Hills, Michigan - CBS Detroit
3. Third, drones have negative impacts on wildlife. Amazon has stated they plan to fly hundreds of drones in and out of their distribution center this is potentially thousands of bird interactions per day. Studies show that drone interactions "can lead to severe behavioral changes, including nest abandonment or increased energy expenditure, potentially affecting reproductive success". The threat to our local fauna including Ospreys, Vultures and Bald Eagles nesting along the James River is significant. Drones are so disruptive to birds that the National Fish and Wildlife Service mandates a "660-foot buffer" between any eagle nest and disruptive equipment. Drone use is expressly prohibited on wildlife refuges because of the impact they have on nesting birds. How can Amazon operate hundreds of 90 pound drones flying over the James River to deliver packages without disturbing our sensitive wildlife?
   
   
4. Fourth, Amazon's use of drone delivery does not have any positive benefit on the local economy and will most certainly have negative impacts. Drone delivery does not support the creation of jobs for Richmonders. Drone delivery does not contribute to the tax base, and it will encourage more people to order goods online rather than go to a local establishment where, even if owned by a corporation, supports a local worker in a job. Furthermore, Amazon's drones use cameras to view the drop zones for packages. This means there will be hundreds of cameras in the sky above our homes, surveilling us under the guise of mapping sites for package delivery. What safeguards are in place to oversee and control what Amazon is doing with that aerial imagery?
   Amazon admits its delivery drones may be filming you

We understand that drone deliveries can offer quicker, more efficient services. However, this should not come at the expense of our peace, privacy, and safety. We demand that Amazon reconsider their flight paths and operational hours, engage with our community to find mutually beneficial solutions, and ensure that safeguards are in place to protect our well-being.

By signing this petition, you are standing with us to demand that:
A. the Virginia DEQ extend the window of opportunity for residents to submit public comment and offer public meetings at which residents can voice their concerns in person
B. Henrico County reject Amazon's proposal to fly delivery drones over our homes 

Please sign this petition to make our concerns heard.

The red circle in the image below indicates the flight path for hundreds of 90 pound drones, flying over residential areas of our community.