Politics & Government
Assembly OKs Airplane Noise Study
Bi-partisan supported bill requires Port Authority of New York/New Jersey to conduct a noise and land use compatibility study.
Days before the 2013 legislative session closed last week, the New York State Assembly passed a bill that requires the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey (PA) to conduct a noise and land use compatibility study to better address the rise in aircraft noise over Long Island.
Sen. Kemp Hannon sponsored the Senate bill, which passed on May 20.
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Assemblymen Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square), among the legislation's co-sponsors, said the study will help determine the best use of certain runways and flight paths of planes coming in and out of LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy and Newark Liberty airports and use federal funding to solve this "growing problem."
"The massive increase in air traffic over Long Island has led to an unacceptable rise in noise pollution," Ra said. "This bill will greatly enhance the quality of life for all Long Island residents.”
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Ra and fellow Assemblymember Edward Braunstein (D-Bayside) will hold a press conference Wednesday at 11 a.m. in front of New Hyde Park Village Hall to discuss the legislation. Senators Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City) and Jack Martins (R-Mineola), along with new Hyde Park Mayor Robert A. Lofaro, are expected to attend.
Any legislation having to do with the Port Authority has to be signed into law by the governors of both New York and New Jersey. The bill is currently making its way through the New Jersey Legislature.
The study's findings, which could be available to the public by June 1, 2014, must be submitted to the governors and legislatures of both New York and New Jersey, and would require the PA to hold biennial public hearings in Kings, Queens and Nassau counties in New York and Union and Essex counties in New Jersey.
Officials are hoping the noise study will elevate the conversation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Port Authority. Once the study is complete, federal funding will become available for mitigation measures to provide some relief to residents on the ground, especially during the summer.Len Schaier of Port Washington, president of quietskies.net, said passage of the Part 150 bill is a signifcant victory for residents of the NY-NJ metro area. "Next milestones are the governor and the NJ legislature!" he said, recognizing local representatives for their efforts.
"Thanks to Senator Tony Avella and Assembly member Ed Braunstein for helping bring much-needed attention to the aircraft noise issue, to Senator Hannon who submitted the Senate bill and with Senator Jack Martins got the bill through the senate without a single 'no vote.' Michele Titus of Queens was also key because without her we would not have received the support to get a bill in the Assembly to match the bill in the Senate and Michelle Schimel without whose guidance and help this would not have happened," he said. "Lastly I also want to say a very special thank you to Ed Ra who introduced the first bill and stayed with it and worked tirelessly to make this effort a success!"
Schaier said this is a great example of people working together and "crossing political and geographical lines to do the right thing."
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