Lawmakers Demand FAA Reassessment Of North Shore Helicopter Route

EAST END, NY — It's a victory for those crying out against helicopter noise on the East End, as the House passed Rep. Lee Zeldin's legislative proposal Wednesday requiring the Federal Aviation Administration to reassess the North Shore helicopter route and consider an alternative all-water route over the Atlantic Ocean.

Zeldin said he helped secure a bicameral agreement for Senate passage of this legislation before Sept. 30.

The FAA will now be required to reassess the North Shore route, including addressing the noise impact on affected communities, improving altitude enforcement, and considering alternative routes, namely, the all water route, Zeldin said.

With passage of the legislation, the FAA will be required to hold a public hearing on the NSR in impacted communities and open a public comment period, both of which Zeldin said the FAA has refused to do in recent years — the NSR was renewed by the FAA under emergency authority without consulting the public or local lawmakers, inciting outrage, he said.

The FAA also dismissed a petition by Southold Town regarding a decision to extend the North Shore helicopter route through 2020 that the town believes is in violation of federal law.

“Summer after summer, North Fork residents’ quality of life has suffered due to the persistent issue of helicopter noise on the East End,” Zeldin said. “The FAA and Department of Transportation have sole jurisdiction over the aircraft routes that have impacted these communities, but from the route’s planning to its continued use, they have continued to flat out ignore the residents directly affected. Congress must hold their feet to the fire and finally pass this legislation that requires the FAA to assess an all water route and alternatives to mitigate the impact on residents. I implore my colleagues to pass my proposal and ensure that those who call the North Fork home are finally being heard.”"

The House passed Zeldin's bipartisan legislation requiring the FAA to reassess the NSR in April but the Senate still needs to act; both the House and Senate have agreed to pass the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 before FAA funding expires on Sept. 30, Zeldin said.

Lawmakers and those fighting against helicopter noise applauded the news.

"Rep. Zeldin has been a zealous advocate for Southold as it battles what can only be described as an invasion of our skies," said Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell.

Southampton Supervisor Jay Schneiderman congratulated Zeldin for getting the "much needed legislation" through the House. "Anything that will provide relief from helicopter noise will be welcome news for residents of the region. I urge the Senate to approve this legislation," he said.

And, added Riverhead Town Supervisor Laura Jens-Smith: “Helicopter noise during the busy summer months has exponentially increased over Riverhead in the past several years. These helicopters tend to fly the same routes when navigating overland, resulting in helicopters passing overhead every five to 10 minutes. The noise created is so loud and disturbing that it can drown out your TV, or even shake pictures off your wall if you are inside. And outside is even worse, requiring you to stop your conversations until after the helicopters have passed," she said.

The intended routes for flights is to avoid the land, and head out over the water to reach their destinations, she said, But, she added: "In practice, this is not what happens. I applaud this bipartisan effort to finally bring relief to Riverhead residents.”

Southold Town Councilman Bob Ghosio, town board liasion to the town's helicopter noise steering committee, said Zeldin has worked "tirelessly" on getting the proposal through Congress.

"We’ve said all along that the FAA was not hearing our concerns here on the North Fork and unilaterally decided to renew the NSR without the prescribed comment period from the residents. This will go a long way to correcting that flawed FAA decision and hopefully lead to a more equitable solution to our air craft noise problems in Southold Town," he said.

Teresa McKaskie, who helms Southold's helicopter noise steering committee and who has worked for years to address the issue, said the news was welcomed. "Congressman Lee Zeldin has advocated for the severely noise impacted residents living under the flawed FAA mandated Long Island helicopter North Shore route for years. His unrelenting commitment and efforts are greatly appreciated."

Patch file photo.