Take Individual Action to Fight Aircraft Noise and Pollution - NOW !!!
Greetings Again,
Ok, here is the post I spoke about last evening Folks, a great bit of material follows , so don’t get overwhelmed please . Most importantly again, read this and “Do Something”, anything at all, and maybe we can get some momentum here … Again, these points below are the critical ones where short term reaction and greater participation is needed. Some background on the points is provided followed by suggested actions.
So call the numbers, send the emails, speak to your neighbors, this succession of actions is the best order to work with. Don’t be shy about calling your elected official either, it’s easy, and very non confrontational at that. You will get a staffer, ask for feedback and follow-up about your concerns, don’t forget to jot down whom you were speaking with either, that is important. See attachment for the contact info.
Here we go now ………...
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Point 1 Background: The FAA Reauthorization Bill has been lingering in the House for some time now, it may be coming to a head very shortly however, and will apparently (likely) be voted on between now and the end of next week. It had lingered for months, while many issues (issues not necessarily associated with direct assaults on our quality of life in the TONH and PW mind you) were hashed out. Here is the gist of it folks. This Reauthorization Bill has language in it that will allow all of these air space changes, and the further implementation of new Airspace Management technology (NEXT GEN, which will be referred to again in this text) without the studies that by law, need to be done to demonstrate compliance to the Federal Clean Air Act and the NEPA (National Environmental Protection Act). Attempts are being made to bypass these studies, and this bypass is facilitated by claiming a CATEX (Categorical Exclusion). In other more simple words folks, some of this CATEX language, in effect, states that because the bill provides funding for efficiency gains, (and not increases in capacity and traffic) the studies are not required, so the studies are being Categorically Excluded. Other language indicates that that so long as the average noise does not increase due to a change, said changes can also be categorically excluded. This previous statement on average noise is critical and is no joke folks. In effect, this means that if noise in Port Washington for example were to increase dramatically (as it has recently for example) , but the noise in New Mexico has gone down the same amount, then this change is ok and does not need the studies. Again and not so simply stated, these notions of exclusion are piles of male bovine excrement; efficiency gains will pave the way for more and more air traffic, as more and more aircraft will be manageable. Increases in noise in one area will be ignored, so long as decreases in noise happen somewhere else. Moreover, this efficiency enabled air traffic will follow more concise routes, so if you are getting more noise and pollution now, it is likely to become even worse and more concentrated. Remember back in Early October when the news reported the new October 20th flight path changes would have no impact on TONH noise and air pollution? Well, we for one family here in PW have seen dozens and dozens flights a day, directly over our home at some 1500 to 2500 feet. Most times, its non-stop noise as one aircraft replaces another over our home. Prior to October 20th, and living here since March of 2008, we could not count the flyovers on our fingers and toes, a year’s worth!! No impact, again, a pile of the aforementioned excrement indeed, we are very heavily impacted. Please do not get me started!!!
Point 1 Actions (in Priority Order):
Action 1: Download the attachment included here. Get on the phone and call every one of the elected officials on it and tell them they must not support the FAA Reauthorization Bill with CATEX (that exclusion discussed above, in an attempt to avoid the studies required by law) language in it. Demand that the studies are done so that compliance to the Federal Clean Air Act and the National Environmental Protection Act is duly demonstrated. Tell them how your quality of life has been impacted and tell them that you are concerned and angry about how these airspace changes are being implemented. Especially mention how we were deceived just prior to October 20th. (Remember, they said how the take off’s from Kennedy would be at 10K feet when over the North Shore {no impact}, but how they managed to neglect to mention the impacts of the landings to JFK and LGA whatsoever {major impact, LGA landings are our issue here in PW, JFK landings are impacting other areas in TONH}. Don’t forget to get the name and title of the person you speak with, for follow-up.
Action 2: Email your elected officials as a follow up to your phone conversation. Re iterate the points above and reference the name and title of the person you spoke with if they did not answer you, then state that in your email. The email message is the same as the message in Action 1 above. Add some comments about how you are being affected now from a personal perspective as well. Most important , re iterate our demands not to allow any categorical exclusions ( that CATEX again ) and that you want studies to insure that the Federal Clean Air Act and the National Environmental Protection Act (this is the law folks ) are not being violated .
Acton 3: Send your neighbors to this blog, and urge them to join you in this effort.
Action 4: Call or Email all the other contacts provided to complain about the noise and to illustrate your concerns about the air quality impacts. Start with the TONH 311 Line, and then hit the Port Authority. The FAA will always tell you the Port Authority is responsible for noise management, but send something to the FAA; it will make you feel better anyhow
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Point 2 Background:
Once this Bill is passed, with exclusions language or not, there is still another opportunity, perhaps our best opportunity, to have our voices heard. The Federal Register is a place where notice is given to the general public and industry concerning a myriad of US Government related matters. The Federal Register allows, facilitates, and considers comments from ordinary citizens like ourselves on these Government matters. This fact (that we can comment) is our golden opportunity. The deadline for posting your comments about our concerns (that NEXT GEN again) with the federal register is 7 March 2012. . Read on please …
So, as stated above within point 1 , NEXT GEN is a newly introduced technology that will be further implemented in our airspace for airspace management and so called efficiency gains. *****We believe however that said efficiency gains will lead to increased air traffic which will lead to increased noise and pollution (especially for the homes , schools and businesses under the new concentrated “tracks “ or paths that NEXT GEN will facilitate) and as such we insist that Categorical Exclusions (CATEX) to the Environmental Studies should not be allowed. NEXT GEN in combination with the Airspace Re-design impacts to our health and quality of life must be studied, as compliance to Federal Clean Air Act and the National Environmental Protection Act is mandatory. ****
Point 2 Actions (in priority order):
Action 1: The text beteeen the bold stars just above is the message folks, visit http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=FAA-2011-1082-0001 and submit your objection to any Categorical Exclusions. This action is the most critical of all right now!!! In a few days, more suggested text and letters (and a physical snail mail address) be posted for this effort as well. So by March 7 we need to either use the web submission form dedicated to this “Government Matter” that concerns us (specifically that government matter is : Proposed Provision of Navigation Services: Next Generation Air Transportation System Transition to Performance-Based Navigation - Document ID FAA-2011-1082-0001) or send a written letter accordingly.
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Until Next Time Folks ...
Lois Hayn
5:24 pm on Friday, February 3, 2012
AGREED! It is time to take action NOW! The FAA Reauthorzation Bill passed today- not good news. There is no language in the bill that requires the them to conduct environmental studies before it going forward with the NexGen Project. Make your contacts to let politicians know that it must be defeated in the Senate. We can't let the FAA literally dump on us like this.
I am in the process of putting together a petition campaign, principally aimed at reversing this disgusting increase in fly overs. Town Hall hasn't gotten back tome yet about the protocol. When they do I will be posting information about how to participate.
Lois Hayn
Lois Hayn
Adina Genn
6:12 pm on Friday, February 3, 2012
Thanks Lois, looking forward to hear about your progress. Have you noticed an increase in noise level?
Adina Genn
6:13 pm on Friday, February 3, 2012
Tom, thanks for letting readers know how to take action if they want to get involved.
Tom O'Rourke
6:47 pm on Friday, February 3, 2012
You are welcome Adina, remember we have until the 7th of March to make comments to the federal register , there are some 100 or so submissions on the docket already, we should try to make it 500 or 1000 submissions!!!
Lois Hayn
2:56 am on Saturday, February 4, 2012
Adina, Yes I really think it has gotten even worse than when I first began to be bothered by it. There is very little respite from it.
Ben
8:44 am on Saturday, February 4, 2012
@ Lois Hayn, in recent weeks the air craft noise has become worse here at 831am on a saturday morning I hear a plan over head I live near the Town Dock.
Ben
8:48 am on Saturday, February 4, 2012
@ Mr. O'Rourke thank you for all of your efforts to combat this growing problem.
All of your remarks here are excellent but you must edit this writing way "too wordy" you need to cut each paragrah to 3 or 4 sentences because most blog readers are too busy to read all this detail.
Let me know if I may help you edit your remarks here
Tom O'Rourke
6:20 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
Ben,
Nice of you to offer , but this is one case where the additional information was needed Many people want to help but cannot seem to get jump started , so some detail was added to help get the full message across . I think I will leave it as is for now , but again thanks . Have you emailed or phoned your Senators this or last week? The bill passed the house on Friday and is up for vote in Senate today and tomorrow . Dont forget to send comments to Federal Register by 7 march !
Take care all .
Ben
6:48 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
@ Tom, not yet I have taken no action because I need to find the time to read this LONG disertation you have composed about air craft noise.
Why not use bullet points to illustrate actions that need to be taken and other highlights of the subject?
I suspect that too many blogg readers are not reading ALL of your information due to its length and will not take action resuting in these aircrafts creating too much noise.
Its about brevity you need to be brief if you want to catch a readers attention.
Ben
6:50 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
@ Adina Glenn I would like you to help Tom edit his remarks make then "readable" edit this for impact.
Dave
8:59 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
Ben, Tom is trying to inform us all of what is happening and what we can do about it. Instead of squabbling about minute details why not put your efforts into helping and email or call your elected select. If someone is here taking their time / reading this...its for a reason. I would think they are smart enough to read a few paragraphs.
Tom O'Rourke
9:07 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
Thanks Dave. Ben, there are times for brevity and there are times to provide detail, this was one that would not be best served by brevity. Please also trust that I am very familiar with the notion of bullet points , and do agree that they have purpose. As for now I really think we should not spend any more time discussing the length of my work in this case, but again ,thanks for your suggestions . If of course you have any questions in particular about how you can help or suggestions to others on how they can help by all means let us know . Thanks again Ben.
Ben
6:24 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
@ Dave i am NOT squabling i am trying to help this is a poorly written disaster of a communications tool and Tom needs an editor you have no idea of how many people will NOT read all of this.
Ben
6:26 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
@ Tom. Good luck. Use bullet points. Take a course "Editing for Impact"
Tom O'Rourke
1:27 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Ben , I have been patient with your comments up until now . Do me a favor, never comment on any of my work , I repeat , any of my work again . Your comments are not welcomed any longer.
Ben
3:33 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
@ Tom, You are hyper-sensitive here.
Yes my opinion is that your writing is too LONG, too "wordy" and that your writing is a "piece of junk" BUT that is just my opinion you should NOT let that bother you.
All of the great work you are doing to defeat chopper noise has been defeated because so many readers have not been past your first chapter here and you may bet on that.
Its about readability, plain language, concise remarks.
Here you repeat the same information at least 3 times.
You need an editor to help you.
Ask Adina Glenn to help you edit your remarks the next time you post on her blogg.
And do not shoot the messenger.
Adina Genn
4:12 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Point made, let's move on. Tom, thanks again for posting.
Ben
4:25 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
@ Adina Glenn I agree lets move on and I wish Tom O'Rourke the best in his efforts here to combat aircracft noise he is most likely a great guy who we should hold in a high regard.
Adina Genn
4:27 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Thanks Ben.
Tom O'Rourke
7:09 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012
Well Hello again, so how did we do folks?
The bill was passed by both sides, a big THANKS to the local Congressman and Senator that actually listened to us with a firm no vote, continued serious disappointment to those that voted yes. Did we make the calls and send emails? Well , I feel pretty good about my efforts, I called elected officials, sent my follow-up emails , and even sent a letter to the President . It did not take much, less than an hour in total. Did any of you that viewed/commented or just viewed this post above do the same?
How did your efforts go ?
Still, alas, remains the problem of getting more people to take action. Outside of this blog (maybe), I can not say that I have achieved head way in this regard, but I "aint a gonna" give up yet. Truth is , It’s not over yet folks, get your voice heard before the 7th, and get your objection on that docket. It starts with a click folks... so just click!
http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=FAA-2011-1082-0001
Try it boys and girls, 100 % satisfaction or your money back. It feels better when your objection is known, trust me. Stay tuned, we are down a bit, but not out, so make your self heard, you owe it to yourself and your families. .
(One new post from any new Patch subscriber is my goal today, will it be you?)
Tom
Tom O'Rourke
8:29 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012
ok, not today then , how about tomorrow, I will settle for one person anytime , how about that ?
Leonard Schaier
1:16 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Tom,
Thanks for being out there in the ether and for you great work. People that want to help can also contact me at lschaier@quietskies.net.
Len
Frank
3:21 pm on Friday, March 9, 2012
the petition only has 166 votes as of today. We should Facebook the petition.
Ben
3:57 pm on Saturday, March 10, 2012
@ Frank,
The reason that the petition has just 166 signatures is because of the way Tom wrote this article it was too long, too wordy, and redundant, etc. most readers skipped this not enough read it and that is why you have just 166 names.
I tired to tell Tom that he needed help an editor, bullet points, etc. and he became angry with me told me (scroll up) he was not interested in my commets can you dig it?
And last week a LOUD chopper was flying over my house near the town dock at 3am.
Tom O'Rourke
11:06 am on Sunday, March 11, 2012
Ben,
You really need to get a life my friend . You blaming me for the lack of signatures on the petition is just an ignorant comment. Also, last time I looked, you appear to have the writing skills of a third grader , so keep your nasty comments to yourself.
Please get a life.
Tom
Arguendo
12:56 pm on Sunday, March 11, 2012
FWIW, the FAA Docket has more than 300 public submissions, many from Nassau and outer boroughs.
Ben
5:39 pm on Sunday, March 11, 2012
@ Tom,
My comments are not nasty it is you who remains hypersensitive here due to the fact that you did a poor job wrting this article. Few people have read your poorly written article that remains way too long too wordy, redundant, etc.
And nothing is wrong with my writing skills.
You had been warned by the editor of this blogg Adina Genn about your abusive tone here. I strongly suspect that anything further from you on this blog will NOT be published due to your unprofessionalism.
This blogg will not publish your poolry written articles because of your inability to handle crticism this fact is a problem.
You are not supposed to react to readers commets.
You are not supposed to insult readers.
Why dont you know the rules of journalsim?
Tom you are a poor journalist.
Tom O'Rourke
5:45 pm on Sunday, March 11, 2012
You have been reacting to my comments for weeks now, and have issued insults on several occasions. Thats Enough Ben , just leave me alone and if you do not have something nice to say , don't say anything , that is the golden rule number one. How can I not react, you try to challenge my writing skills and then blame the turn out on the petition on me ? Please just don't comment any longer , we will all be better off .
Ben
6:30 am on Monday, March 12, 2012
@ Tom,
Your noble efforts have been less successful due to your poorly written article that is too long, too wordy, redundant, etc.
You need to write effectivley use bullet points, etc.
I have issued no insults here I have offered constructive crticism and your reaction to my remarks has made you look foolish, unprofessional, hypersenstitive and on the side of less than intelligent.
it is a good thing for you that foolish, etc. is not illegal.
You need to "edit for impact" so that you will get more support for your cause.