Rep. Zeldin Briefs Public on Meeting with the FAA to Discuss Aircraft Noise Issue and North Shore Route

Statement

Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was joined by Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter, Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell, Riverhead Town Councilman Tim Hubbard, and local elected officials at Riverhead Town Hall to provide an update following a meeting with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding North Fork aircraft noise and the North Shore Route. The meeting between Congressman Zeldin, Supervisor Walter, Supervisor Russell, Councilman Hubbard, and FAA officials took place today at Long Island Macarthur Airport in Islip.

Congressman Zeldin said, "On July 23, after repeated follow up from myself, my office, the House Subcommittee on Aviation, other elected officials, and countless concerned citizens on the East End, the FAA quietly announced a four year extension of the North Shore Route against the will of the people and without a transparent process or public comment period; an unacceptable example of incompetence and arrogance on the part of faceless, unelected and unaccountable federal bureaucrats. Summer after summer, North Fork residents have had their quality of life greatly reduced by the persistent issue of helicopter noise on the East End.

At the meeting, we urged the FAA to mandate that the North Shore Route extend past and around Orient Point and for the hold to be lifted on creating a mandatory South Shore Route. The FAA and Department of Transportation have sole jurisdiction over the aircraft routes and it is incumbent upon these federal agencies to handle this power with responsibility and responsiveness to the public. In addition, the FAA must enforce the local level strict flight standards and offshore requirements for aircraft bound for the East End to help mitigate disruptive noise. The punishment of violators will also show the community that the agency tasked with aviation safety is doing its job.

In October of last year, I clearly stated to FAA Administrator Huerta that the North Shore route should be extended for no longer than one year, with an extensive strengthening of altitude requirements and enforcement of flight standards, and a true all water route over the Atlantic Ocean as the permanent solution. Calls of the public and their representatives have been flatly ignored. The FAA is treating the American public as if it is the enemy. This conduct is absurd and unacceptable, and it must be reformed.

All options remain on the table to stop this destructive ruling, including possible litigation from the Town of Southold and legislation that would cut off any FAA funding to implement it. In 2015, the FAA was threatening to take negative action against the Town of East Hampton for the enactment of aircraft noise restrictions. I then got a legislative proposal passed in the House to protect East Hampton against retaliation by the FAA. I am willing to pursue any option necessary to get this resolved. North fork residents cannot afford to have yet another season ruined by disruptive noise. This is an important quality of life concern that must be resolved immediately."

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