Letter to Patrick Foye, Executive Director of the Port Authority of NY and NJ - Accelerate Completion of Noise Studies in Communities Surrounding JFK & LaGuardia

Letter

Dear Mr. Foye:

I write to reiterate my support for the Federal Airport Noise Compatibility Planning Part 150 studies that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is currently undertaking, and to urge you to complete the studies and begin taking noise mitigation steps as quickly as you can without sacrificing thoroughness.

As you know, the Port Authority committed to conducting the Part 150 studies in fall of 2013, in order to evaluate noise impacts to the communities near JFK and LaGuardia Airports. Once complete, the studies will recommend measures to mitigate excessive noise where possible. Other airports that have completed Part 150 studies have taken noise mitigation efforts like updating flight routes and approach procedures, encouraging airlines to use quieter aircraft, and installing soundproofing in eligible homes. Last summer, I was pleased that the Department of Transportation awarded a total of more than $6 million in federal funding to the Port Authority to help facilitate the Part 150 studies for both JFK and LaGuardia.

I understand that in October 2014, the Port Authority signed a three-year contract, ending in August 2017 with Environmental Science Associates to conduct the Part 150 studies. I urge the Port Authority to do everything reasonable and possible to speed up the Part 150 process, and complete the studies as expeditiously as possible. As you know, each day thousands of New Yorkers are adversely impacted by airplane noise. These communities need relief, and the noise mitigation measures that will follow the Part 150 studies will be key to improving the quality of life for the many New Yorkers living near airports. After the studies are complete, I pledge to do all that I can to assist the Port Authority with procuring the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant funds that might be needed to implement noise mitigation measures recommended by the Noise Compatibility Program that comes out of the study. There is no silver bullet when it comes to addressing noise pollution around airports, but completion of the Part 150 studies can help play an important role in providing relief to communities. There are a number of federal resources -- in particular using AIP funds for noise mitigation measures -- that can only be fully utilized once the studies are complete, and so to ensure we have every available tool in the toolbox to address this issue, I urge you to complete the studies as quickly as possible

Thank you in advance for your attention to this important matter. I look forward to continuing to work with you to mitigate the impacts of airplane noise on communities in New York.

Sincerely,

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer

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