Increasing study of airplane noise

Airplane noise could receive increased scrutiny due to a bill passed in the New York State Senate on May 20 that would require the Port Authority to study flight noise generated by planes at LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy and Newark Liberty airports, as well as conduct public hearings on aircraft noise issues every two years.

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) introduced the bill to the Senate last June and will now attempt to get the bill passed in the Assembly. “This time of year it’s a huge issue,” he said, “and it’s more noticeable as people spend more time outside and leave their windows open.”

According to Ra, once the bill passes in New York, it must also pass in New Jersey, where Newark Liberty Airport is located. “I have spoken to legislators in New Jersey and I’m hopeful the bill will be introduced to New Jersey in the near future,” he said.

Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg (D-Long Beach) said he would be a co-sponsor of the bill and hopes to be an active participant in explaining the benefits of the flight noise study. “I want to ensure that voices are heard, resources from the federal government are available in order to help defer the impact of what we’re living with now,” he said. “The impact, especially in the Five Towns, is devastation to the quality of life.”

Once the study is complete, the Port Authority’s report would be submitted to the governors and legislatures of New York and New Jersey.

State Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), who helped shepherd passage of the bill, noted that the three airports are among the busiest in the nation. The noise studies and public hearing would help airline operators determine the direction of takeoffs, approach paths and runway usage. “While it’s convenient that Nassau County residents live near the airport, we also have to consider the impact of aircraft noise on our everyday lives,” he said in a statement. “More airplanes are flying over our areas, making the noise problem worse. With this bill, we could ensure that this concern is subject to a study, public comment, and taken into consideration by the airlines.”