Town of East Hampton Appeals Federal Court Injunction

The Town of East Hampton on Wednesday appealed the federal court injunction against the Town law that restricts noisy aircraft operations at East Hampton Airport to one trip a week.

In April 2015, the Town adopted three local laws imposing use restrictions on certain operations at the Airport.

The Friends of East Hampton Airport coalition sued in federal court to prevent these local laws.

In late June, Federal District Court Judge Joanna Seybert enjoined one of the laws.

The other two have been in effect and enforced since July 2.

“We believe all three laws are lawful and necessary to protect the quality of life on the East End,” said East Hampton Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell said. “These three laws are the result of careful, thoughtful, and transparent balancing by the Town Board. We are hopeful that the Court of Appeals will recognize that all three laws are essential to address the problem of excessive aircraft noise.”

The local law restricting noisy aircraft to one trip per week is an integral part of the Town’s plan to implement reasonable restrictions on the use of the Airport in its effort to address noise, according to a press release from the town.

The one trip per week restriction was designed to limit the noisiest aircraft during the summer season, when residents and visitors naturally have a heightened expectation that they can enjoy the outdoor environment, according to the Town.

“The Town Board is committed to defending its legal right to adopt these reasonable, non-arbitrary, and carefully balanced restrictions at the airport,” the Town wrote in the release.