Washington, D.C.— Today, Reps. Steve Israel (D-NY) and Grace Meng (D-NY) and Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced that their work to form an airplane noise community roundtable has paid off with the announcement by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo that he has directed the Port Authority to form this roundtable and conduct noise studies. The representatives and senators sent a letter in July, signed by a total of 12 Members of Congress, requesting the formation of a roundtable to address “the ongoing and future concerns of our constituents in the Metro Area.”
Rep. Israel said, “I worked with my colleagues in New York to request the formation of an airplane noise community roundtable so residents and local business owners would have an outlet to express concerns about how airplane noise and other issues relating to aviation are affecting them. The announcement today that this roundtable will be formed is great news for New Yorkers in the metropolitan area, and I’m pleased our letter spurred action on Governor Cuomo’s part.”
Rep. Meng said, “Our advocacy and efforts to establish a community roundtable have finally paid off, and we’re thrilled to deliver this great victory to our constituents. Establishing a community roundtable has been a top priority of mine and many of the people I represent, and it’s critical to our community’s fight against airport-related issues that impact the quality of life in Queens. I appreciate the Governor responding to the concerns we raised about airplane noise, and for agreeing to move forward with our request.”
Sen. Schumer said, “Residents living among the highest air traffic in the country should have every opportunity to present their views to the appropriate authorities and a vehicle to gather information and hold people accountable, that’s why I’ve been working closely with the New York delegation to fight for the creation of this roundtable. It’s good news that the Port Authority will soon establish an airplane noise roundtable so that those affected by the incessant sound of airplanes can finally voice their concerns to members of the aviation community, and I am pleased that we have Governor Cuomo’s support.”
“Without adequate noise monitoring and data collection it is impossible for the Port Authority and FAA to begin to address community concerns,” said Gillibrand. “This advisory committee that my colleagues and I pushed for will provide FAA another way of finding effective solutions to mitigating noise, which should provide some relief to Queens and Nassau County residents.”
To read a copy of the letter, click here.