New Helicopter Plan Means 3 Routes Across North Fork This Summer

NORTH FORK, NY - A new plan that will mean three helicopter routes across this summer has Southold Town officials and residents steaming.

The plan was presented at a recent forum presented by the Eastern Region Helicopter Council, said Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell. "Transitional flight paths are voluntary so this is that group's effort to reduce community impacts from helicopters this year."

But on the North Fork, the plan has sparked fierce opposition.

As it stands, Russell said, currently, the "overwhelming majority of helicopter traffic comes in over the Mattituck Inlet" when heading to the South Fork.

The new plan would establish three routes, one in Mattituck, one in Peconic, and one over the Orient causeway.

"This is objectionable to me," Russell said. "This isn't solving Southold's problem, it's just spreading it."

Russell said he's made phone calls to U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer's office, speaking with his representative Kyle Strober, "to raise objections."

The supervisor said he advocates the extension of the northern route out east, around Plum Island, Russell said.

"I didn't get any sense of confidence . . .that that was likely to happen," Russell said.

The supervisor said he wants the map posted for residents to see, and urged the public to contact Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

Councilman BIll Ruland said the news was not shocking. "We shouldn't be surprised. Both Schumer and Gillibrand seem to be aligned with the helicopter people more than the residents of Southold," he said.

Russell said the Federal Aviation Administration has voiced reservations about adopting a route change, knowing they would be held accountable in legal proceedings. "That's disingenuous," he said. "The federal government has never had a problem getting sued in the past. If he wanted to get this done, he would get it through Congress and make a directive to the FAA to change the route."

The North Shore route, Russell said, creates problems for Southold. "It only solves problems for Manhasset or Floral Park."

The North Shore route is also being extended for two years, he said.

Councilwoman Jill Doherty asked why the northern route was seen as advantageous to pilots.

Helicopter pilots, Russell said, prefer not going through JFK airspace, something they find "inconvenient," even though air traffic controllers say those pilots can be easily accommodated. "We find it suspicious because that would take them over Dune Road and Georgica Pond," Russell said.

Pilots also protest flying out around Plum Island, saying it will add time to the trip, Russell said. "It's the blink of an eye when you're in an aircraft," he said.

Ruland asked if the town could sue the FAA; Russell said the idea was pondered in the past but when the town consulted outside counsel, aviation experts, there was no encouraging news.

"There must be a way," Ruland said; he advocated researching if any other jurisdictions had ever been in similar straits with the FAA.

"It's political will," Russell said, adding the support of senators and federal representatives was critical.

"Our residents' feathers are ruffled and I think in many cases, they have god reason to be," Ruland said.

Russell once again lauded East Hampton Town's willingness to put restrictions in place, despite the fact that they were not met with a huge groundswell of support. "They said this is the right thing to do. They want to be good neighbors. And I give Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell and the board a world of credit for that."

Recently, Southold and Southampton town board stood in solidarity with East Hampton, supporting bills presented last year by Senator Ken LaValle and Assemblyman Fred Thiele.

The first bill would allow financing in the Town of East Hampton for airport funding to be extended to 30 years; it’s currently only a 10-year period. The measure would require state approval.

In addition, the second bill would provide for a public referendum should East Hampton ever again decide to consider the idea of FAA funding for the airport.

Mattituck resident Teresa McCaskie, a member of the Southold Town helicopter committee who has been tireless in her efforts to raise awareness and organize residents to fight back against helicopter noise, was outraged over the proposed three routes.

"The North Fork is quiet and peaceful and cannot bear the noise," she said.

McCaskie said the mandatory Long Island North Shore Route is "riddled with loopholes and exceptions for pilots which means residents of the beautiful East End continue to suffer noise pollution. Elected officials and the FAA have ignored years of significant complaint data."

The FAA, she said, has still not mandated a southern route, which would help disperse traffic and noise.

"The North Fork and north of the highway Hamptons towns should not be saddled with Hamptons bound aircraft pollution," she said.

Southold Councilman Bob Ghosio, who is traveling and was not at Tuesday's town board work session, responded by text to Patch to express his anger.

"After all the public outcry, this is the answer? Making three flight paths over Southold Town? The noise has gotten to be too much and now it will be spread throughout the town. This has been done deliberately," he said.

Residents need to contact Schumer and Gillibrand's offices, he said.

Federal elected officials collectively, and alone, have the power to help but "they have not yet acted to our benefit. I'd urge our residents from all parts of town to contact the senators and log a complaint and insist that the north route to East Hampton Airport be eliminated altogether."

Schumer responded to Patch Wednesday: "Senator Schumer continues to support and to fight for an all-water route that will take helicopters around the North Fork and Orient Point. He will continue to work with community leaders to get the FAA to move forward on this vital effort,” said Marisa Kaufman, spokesperson.

According to Russell, residents who wish to contact Schumer's office can contact Kyle D. Strober, Long Island Regional Director, or any other representative in the Long Island office, at 631-753-0978.

To contact Gillibrand, call 202-224-4451.

Gillibrand, and Eastern Region Helicopter Council reps did not immediately respond to a request for comment.