Congressman Hosts Press Conference With Local Officials on Helicopter Noise Problem

Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, C - NY-1), Vice Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Aviation, held a conference with local elected officials and community groups at Southold Town Hall on Sunday to discuss finding an immediate solution to the helicopter noise issue on the East End.

“The persistent issue of helicopter noise on the East End, summer after summer, has become an increasing impediment on the quality of life of many of my constituents,” Zeldin said. “That’s why I am calling on the FAA to find an immediate solution for this problem, especially since it continues to get worse.”

Earlier last week, Zeldin wrote a letter to the FAA with several suggestions on solutions to the problems.

“My constituents cannot afford to have another season ruined by disruptive noise,” he said. “This is an important quality of life concern that must be resolved.”

On Sunday, he met with local elected officials including Assemblyman Fred Thiele; Legislator Al Krupski; Southold Supervisor Scott Russell; Deputy Southold Supervisor Bill Ruland, Shelter Island Town Supervisor James Dougherty; East Hampton Supervisor Larry Cantwell; Southold Councilmembers: Bob Ghosio and Jill Dougherty; Riverhead Councilmembers Jodi Giglio, George Gabrielsen, John Dunleavy and James Wooten; East Hampton Councilwoman Kathee Burke-Gonzalez; Southold Town Trustee Dave Bergen; Southold Helicopter Committee; Gabreski Airport Noise Mitigation Work Group; The Noyac Civic Council; The Orient Association; and The Quiet Skies Coalition, in order to work together to resolve the helicopter noise issue.

Several of the local officials, including Thiele, agreed with Zeldin that helicopter noise is a ’substantial problem’ on the East End.

“[Helicopter noise] has, and will continue to negatively affect the quality of life for year-round residents and adversely impact our regional economy dependent on tourism and the second home industry,” Thiele said. “East End elected officials, representing all levels of government, must renew efforts to work together to facilitate an end point which is favorable to all of our constituents and the Town of East Hampton.”

Other local officials were also supportive of having Zeldin work with the local officials to help solve the problem.

“The Town Board of East Hampton appreciates Congressman Zeldin’s support for local control of the East Hampton Airport, the epicenter of the aircraft noise issue, in the ongoing effort to mitigate this noise, which affects so many residents across the East End,” Cantwell said.

“Local control can’t cover all the issues as it relates to regulating helicopter traffic, so it is good to have strong representation on the federal level from Congressman Zeldin,” Krupski said.

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