67-7-102. Legislative finding and purpose. The legislature finds that tall trees and structures and certain types of development located in the vicinity of airports endanger the lives and property of users of the airport and of occupants of land in its vicinity. The legislature also finds that the location of tall trees and structures and certain types of development near airports reduces the area available for landing, taking off, and maneuvering aircraft and increases the likelihood of legal action against a local government for noise nuisance, thus destroying the utility of the airports and the public investment in them. It is the purpose of this chapter to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare by the delineation of an airport affected area and by the development of compatible noise, height, and land use regulations to control airport hazards. The prevention of the creation or establishment of airport hazards and the elimination, removal, alteration, mitigation, or marking and lighting of existing airport hazards are public purposes for which political subdivisions may raise and expend public funds and in which political subdivisions may acquire land or property interests.