Schumer Calls On Port Authority To Accelerate Completion Of Noise Studies In Communities Surrounding JFK & LaGuardia

SCHUMER CALLS ON PORT AUTHORITY TO ACCELERATE COMPLETION OF NOISE STUDIES IN COMMUNITIES SURROUNDING JFK & LAGUARDIA AIRPORTS ; COMPLETION OF ‘PART 150 NOISE STUDIES’ COULD HELP REMEDIATE AIRPLANE NOISE & PROVIDE LONG – SOUGHT RELIEF TO COMMUNITIES  

Part 150 Studies Will Better Evaluate Noise Impacts to Communities Surrounding JFK & LaGuardia Airport & Recommend Mitigation Measures; Schumer Has Long Supported Part 150 Studies, And Other Ways to Address Airplane Noise

Schumer Pushes Port Authority to Expedite Completion of Part 150 Studies; Senator Says a Completed Study Could Mean Additional Federal Resources for Noise Mitigation Measures

Schumer: While There Is No Silver Bullet When Addressing Airplane Noise, the Completion of Part 150 Studies Can Help Provide Some Relief to Communities

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to complete its Part 150 noise studies as quickly and thoroughly as possible so that it can begin taking noise mitigation steps.  The Part 150 studies aim to evaluate noise impacts to the communities surrounding JFK and LaGuardia Airport and, once complete, the studies will recommend measures to mitigate excessive noise where possible. Schumer has long supported the Part 150 studies.

“While there is no silver bullet when it comes to addressing noise pollution around airports, the completion of the Part 150 studies can help play an important role in providing relief to communities,” said Senator Schumer. “These important studies will finally evaluate the best ways to address noise impacts in communities surrounding JFK and LaGuardia Airport. The Port Authority should complete these studies as quickly as they can so that our long sought relief of airplane noise is provided as soon as possible.”

According to the FAA, the Part 150 study, also known as the Airport Noise Compatibility Planning, is part of a program that provides a structured approach for airport operators, airlines, pilots, neighboring communities and the FAA to work together to reduce the number of people who live in significantly noise-impacted areas. The Part 150 study requires that members of the public have an opportunity for active and direct participation in the process through public meetings and hearings. Through the Part 150 study, airport operators may consider different ways to reduce noise, including changing operational procedures (like take-offs and landings) or routing flight paths over less noise sensitive areas or provide sound insulation for homes, schools and other buildings near the airport.

The Part 150 study has two phases. The first phase involves developing noise exposure maps to identify compatible and non-compatible land uses around the airport. The second step involves identifying mitigation efforts, which leads to a Noise Compatibility Program. Airports that conduct Part 150 studies and develop Noise Compatibility Programs are eligible for federal funds for noise mitigation.

Schumer has long supported measures to help address the issue of airplane noise in local communities. Specifically, Schumer successfully pushed for a hotline phone number for airplane noise complaints. And, after his urging, New York State directed the Port Authority to hold regular roundtable discussions in collaboration with FAA representatives and other affected parties regarding issues at two major New York airports. Schumer has urged the Port Authority and FAA to install additional noise monitors at airports and use the data collected to make decisions about changes to flight patterns.

Schumer today urged the Port Authority to expedite completion of the Part 150 studies so airplane noise mitigation measures can be implemented as quickly as possible, providing relief to New York communities. Schumer went on to say that there are a number of federal resources – in particular using Airport Improvement Program (AIP-funds for noise mitigation measures – that can only be fully utilized once the studies are complete, and so the studies should be completed quickly to ensure that these communities have every available tool in the toolbox to address this issue.

A copy of Schumer’s letter is below:

Dear Mr. Foye:

I write to reiterate my support for the Federal Airport Noise Compatibility Planning Part 150 studies that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is currently undertaking, and to urge you to complete the studies and begin taking noise mitigation steps as quickly as you can without sacrificing thoroughness.

As you know, the Port Authority committed to conducting the Part 150 studies in fall of 2013, in order to evaluate noise impacts to the communities near JFK and LaGuardia Airports. Once complete, the studies will recommend measures to mitigate excessive noise where possible. Other airports that have completed Part 150 studies have taken noise mitigation efforts like updating flight routes and approach procedures, encouraging airlines to use quieter aircraft, and installing soundproofing in eligible homes. Last summer, I was pleased that the Department of Transportation awarded a total of more than $6 million in federal funding to the Port Authority to help facilitate the Part 150 studies for both JFK and LaGuardia.

I understand that in October 2014, the Port Authority signed a three-year contract, ending in August 2017 with Environmental Science Associates to conduct the Part 150 studies. I urge the Port Authority to do everything reasonable and possible to speed up the Part 150 process, and complete the studies as expeditiously as possible. As you know, each day thousands of New Yorkers are adversely impacted by airplane noise. These communities need relief, and the noise mitigation measures that will follow the Part 150 studies will be key to improving the quality of life for the many New Yorkers living near airports. After the studies are complete, I pledge to do all that I can to assist the Port Authority with procuring the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant funds that might be needed to implement noise mitigation measures recommended by the Noise Compatibility Program that comes out of the study. There is no silver bullet when it comes to addressing noise pollution around airports, but completion of the Part 150 studies can help play an important role in providing relief to communities. There are a number of federal resources – in particular using AIP funds for noise mitigation measures – that can only be fully utilized once the studies are complete, and so to ensure we have every available tool in the toolbox to address this issue, I urge you to complete the studies as quickly as possible

Thank you in advance for your attention to this important matter. I look forward to continuing to work with you to mitigate the impacts of airplane noise on communities in New York.

Sincerely,
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer