Helicopter Noise Forum Planned For Riverhead

RIVERHEAD, NY — After another summer that had residents in Riverhead, the North Fork and the entire East End crying out against helicopter noise, a public forum will be held in Riverhead.

According to Riverhead Town Supervisor Laura Jens-Smith, the Eastern Region Helicopter Council has agreed to the forum, which she requested and which will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 1 in the Riverhead town board meeting room at 6 p.m.

The Eastern Region Helicopter Council is a non-profit organization based in New Jersey that many have believe is "instrumental" in determining flight paths of aircraft flying over the East End of Long Island, the supervisor said.

"Helicopter noise has been an issue that has affected Riverhead for over a decade now, making it impossible for many residents to have a conversation outdoors. Helicopters tend to fly repeatedly over the same areas, creating a parade of overhead flights. Many of these aircraft fly so low that they rattle homes, even causing objects on walls to fall off," Jens-Smith said.

The supervisor encouraged residents to turn out and let their voices be heard.

"For too long the residents of Riverhead and the East End have had their quality of life damaged by the constant helicopter fly overs. This is an opportunity for residents to express just how much these policies have harmed them.”

Deputy Supervisor Catherine Kent, who also serves as liaison to the town's helicopter noise task force, added: “Our quality of life is being destroyed because helicopters transition over our area rather than taking a few extra minutes to fly around Orient, as required. Since they are heading to the South Shore the best solution is to require an all-water route over the Atlantic Ocean.”

The battle over helicopter noise has been raging for years.

In November, 2018, braving bitter winds and cold, a crowd of elected officials and residents turned out at Iron Pier Beach in Jamesport to send a loud and clear message to the Federal Aviation Administration: They wanted a public hearing on helicopter noise — as required by law.

Jens-Smith, who convened the event, kicked off the gathering by blasting a forum held by the FAA in Riverhead, which, she said, was a "farce. . .a children's show and tell."

Jens-Smith spoke out against the helicopter noise that disrupts residents' quality life and also poses danger, as helicopters and sea planes fly over fuel storage tanks at Northville.

The FAA, she added, has been "derelict in its duties" to residents and elected officials were demanding a public hearing be held.

But when asked for a response to the press conference immediately after that event, an FAA spokesman mentioned a public forum in Queens for people who couldn't attend a prior meeting due to bad weather. No mention was made of a public hearing.

New York State Senator Ken LaValle, referencing the turbulent Long Island Sound behind him, said the raging waters reflected the "anger" among elected officials and constituents alike.

New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele said it was heartening to see both South and North Fork leaders gathered together to address the issue.

"This is nothing new," he said, adding that the woes with the FAA go back years and added that a public hearing is required by law. Thiele called for an all water route on both Forks as well as "reasonable restrictions" on the East Hampton airport.

"We are unified," he said, adding that the five East End towns need to keep working together to demand the hearing. "We're not going to stop until we get the change we need."

Suffolk County Legislators Al Krupski and Bridget Fleming also spoke. Of the Riverhead FAA meeting, Krupski said, "It was just insulting."

Fleming said while she recognized many faces, there were also many that were no longer present, families who'd moved away after being so deeply impacted by helicopter noise they'd left the community.

"The FAA didn't have a hearing because they didn't want to hear that we are united," she said. "We want an all water route and we want to actually be heard. Let's keep fighting the good fight until we reach a solution."

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell was also present but Southold Town Councilman Bob Ghosio, town board liaison to the helicopter noise committee, spoke. One problem, he said, is that the FAA assumes East End residents consider helicopter noise "background noise." But, he said, unlike city residents who may be used to helicopter noise, on the bucolic East End that noise shatters quality of life. "To us, this is a life-altering problem in the summer," Ghosio said. "It's a barrage. It changes the way you are living your life."

He urged the FAA to take away the "loopholes" of transitions by pilots.

Mark Woolley, speaking for Rep. Lee Zeldin, who was in Washington, DC, was met by angry cries from residents, asking, "Why can't you get it done?"

"This is far from done," Woolley said.

Kent said she wanted to send a clear message to the FAA: "We will be relentless," until change takes place or the "East Hampton Airport is shut down. Our quality of life should not take a nosedive" become some can afford to fly to the East End from New York City, she said.

Riverhead Town Councilman Tim Hubbard suggested cutting funding to the FAA. "Let's hit them where it hurts," he said.

And, added Riverhead Town Councilwoman Jodi Giglio, the routes should not be at the discretion of pilots. If helicopters continue to fly over the Northville oil tanks, in the event of an accident, tragedy could ensue.

The outcry came after a victory earlier in October, 2018 after President Donald Trump signed into law a proposal by Zeldin that required the FAA to reassess the North Shore Route and pursue an all-water route over the Atlantic Ocean.

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."