Residents Needed To Speak At FAA Helicopter Noise Hearings: Supe

EAST END, NY — Residents need to stand up and be heard at upcoming Federal Aviation Administration hearings to re-consider the North Shore Route, according to Southold Town officials.

At a work session on Tuesday, a helicopter noise discussion was held with Teresa McCaskie and attorney James Harmon, who sit on the town's helicopter noise steering committee.

Although the date of the hearing has not yet been officially set for Riverhead, the board said the public should turn out in force.

"We need to get the information out that we need people to attend. The FAA needs to see the level of opposition that is out here to the North Shore route," Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said.

Russell said although, depending on the date and time in November when the hearings are scheduled, not everyone might be able to attend in person, residents should send "hundreds of emails" and "raise holy hell."

While McCaskie has been a tireless advocate, Russell said the FAA needs to see a broad representation of the entire East End turning out to express their concerns.

"You and Teresa, especially, have carried the burden for so long. The entire public needs to understand that they need to be engaged in the process. The FAA has to hear from them whether by email or in person. I’d love to see as many people show up as possible," Russell said to Harmon and McCaskie.

Harmon said he believed the FAA needs the voice of the Southold Town board present at the hearings.

McCaskie said she is working on a radio campaign and is working closely with a Riverhead group to reach out to various civic organizations and others.

"My concern is that if the FAA is looking to rate us, based on the amount of people that come to the meeting, it's conveniently done when a lot of snowbirds go to Florida," McCaskie said, adding that she's also reaching out to a Queens group to attend.

Russell asked of the all water route was feasible.

Harmon said a test run was done in 2011 that indicated the all-water route was feasible but cost a little more, with helicopter passengers paying perhaps $575 per seat instead of $540.

McCaskie said despite references to a tower that might make the Atlantic Route not viable, an assessment in East Hampton Town has shown that the "Atlantic Route is safe," and can be used, she said.

Harmon said if that route is feasible from a flight point of view it can be used, otherwise, maybe pilots can fly around Plum Island, he said.

McCaskie also pointed out that there has been an admission that most flights were routed through the North Fork, instead of a 50/50 split; she added that a twin engine helicopter can go around Plum Island to East Hampton over water, rather than over the Orient causeway, or fly over the Atlantic Ocean without any issues.

The hearings follow a victory earlier in October after President Donald Trump signed into law a proposal by Rep. Lee Zeldin that requires the Federal Aviation Administration to reassess the North Shore Route and pursue an all-water route over the Atlantic Ocean.

For years, resident have been pleading for help, stating that helicopter and seaplane noise had shattered their bucolic East End quality of life.

After the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, which included his legislative proposal to require the FAA to reassess the North Shore Route to address the noise impact on affected communities, improve altitude enforcement, and consider alternative routes, was signed into law by President Trump, Zeldin said: "It is great news . . .no longer can the FAA ignore the concerns of residents as they have from the North Shore Route's planning to its continued use, while day to day quality of life has suffered due to the persistent issue of helicopter noise on the East End. Finally, the FAA is forced to listen. I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting this legislation and the President for signing this important proposal into law."

With the enactment of this legislation, a public hearing must take place no later than 30 days later; a public comment period must begin no later than 30 days from the time of enactment and last for at least 60 days; and the FAA must commence a formal review of the NSR no later than 30 days from that date, including the potential creation of an all water Atlantic Ocean route.

Upon Congressional passage of the legislation, local lawmakers applauded the news.

"The ever increasing number of helicopters over Southold has devastated the quality of life for our residents. Southold has become a doormat to the helicopter operators as they head to and from the Hamptons," Russell said. "Rep. Zeldin's amendment is a common sense approach that will provide immediate relief to our community. I urge the FAA to follow the Congressman's lead and help him restore the quality of life of the people of Southold."

Southampton Supervisor Jay Schneiderman agreed. "Anything that will provide relief from helicopter noise will be welcome news for residents of the region."

Riverhead Supervisor Laura Jens-Smith said 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," she said. "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. The intended routes for these flights is to avoid the land, and head out over the water to reach their destinations. In practice this is not what happens. I applaud this bipartisan effort to finally bring relief to Riverhead residents."

Shelter Island Supervisor Gary Gerth said the issue is of the most important for the residents of Shelter Island, who have been adversely impacted by persistent helicopter noise. "This common sense legislation is great news for Shelter Island and our entire region and will have such a positive impact on Long Islanders day-to-day quality of life," he said.

East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc said Congressional attention to the problem of aircraft noise over the East End is appreciated and warranted. "We look forward to continued discussions and meaningful improvement," he said.

Patch file photo.

Patch file photo of James Harmon and Teresa McCaskie by Lisa Finn.