Helicopter Noise Battle Victory; New Hurdle Cleared

EAST END, NY — It was the second victory against helicopter noise in a week as the Senate passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, which included Rep. Lee Zeldin's legislative proposal — that also passed the House of Representatives — requiring the Federal Aviation Administration to reassess the North Shore Route.

The measure aims to address the noise impact on affected communities, improve altitude enforcement, and consider alternative routes, including an all water route over the Atlantic Ocean.

Should the legislation, which is headed to the President Donald Trump's desk to be signed into law, be enacted, 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 the FAA "has refused to do in recent years as the NSR has been renewed by the FAA under emergency authority without consulting the public or local lawmakers," Zeldin said.

“I applaud my Senate colleagues for passing my proposal that requires the FAA to reassess the North Shore Route and pursue an all water route over the Atlantic Ocean,” Zeldin said. “For years, the FAA has ignored the concerns of residents, 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 urge the President to sign this important proposal into law.”

Local lawmakers also applauded the news.

“The ever increasing number of helicopters over Southold has devastated the quality of life for our residents," Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said. "Southold has become a doormat to the helicopter operators as they head to and from the Hamptons. 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.”

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

Riverhead Town 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."

Shelter Island Supervisor Gary Gerth said the issue is one of the most important facing his constituents, 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 also spoke out: “Congressional attention to the problem of aircraft noise over the East End is certainly appreciated, and warranted. We look forward to continued discussions and meaningful improvement.”

Last week, many who have spent years advocating for change cheered when the House passed the measure.

The FAA has, in the past, 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, inciting outrage across the East End.

Both the House and Senate had agreed to pass the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 before FAA funding expired, Zeldin said.

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

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.