Schumer, Gillibrand, Meng and Israel Call on Port Authority to Establish Airport Advisory Committee

U.S. Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and U.S. Reps. Grace Meng (D-Queens) and Steve Israel (D-Queens/L.I.) – joined by eight of their Congressional colleagues – today sent a letter to Port Authority Executive Director Patrick Foye urging that his agency set up an airport advisory committee to address ongoing and future concerns that residents of the New York metropolitan area have about noise and other airport issues that negatively affect their quality of life.

Presently, no formal forum exists for residents of the region to express how they are impacted by flight patterns, construction, times and frequency of arrivals and departures, new runway configurations, and other airport matters.

The establishment of a formal forum would give elected officials, the aviation community, and the Federal Aviation Administration an understanding of the concerns affecting area residents, and allow all stakeholders to work together to reach agreeable solutions.

The lawmakers sent the correspondence in the wake of new flight patterns into and out of LaGuardia Airport that have increased airplane noise for people living in northeast Queens.

“It is simple common sense to say that the largest metropolitan area in the country should have an airport advisory committee like the one we are proposing, a body that would help increase quality of life for locals,” said Schumer. “With the creation of this committee, those affected by airplane noise can provide a more united front to their elected officials, the aviation community and the FAA.”

“It’s time for residents of the New York area to have a single, united voice when it comes to fighting against airport-related issues that impact our region,” said Meng. “An airport advisory committee would ensure that all the concerns of community leaders, civic groups and residents and are heard, and that real, viable solutions are reached. I urge the Port Authority to quickly set up this important panel.”

“Creating an airport advisory committee will help ensure that the voices of families afflicted with excessive noise from air traffic will be heard,” said Gillibrand. “A formal forum will provide constructive debate and solutions to ways we can improve the quality of life for New Yorkers.”

“An airport advisory committee will give New Yorkers impacted by airplane noise a seat at the table to address their concerns,” said Israel. “I urge the Port Authority to prioritize community feedback and establish this committee as soon as possible. I will continue working with my colleagues, Sens. Schumer and Gillibrand and Rep. Meng, to make sure the voices of our constituents are heard.”

Schumer, Gillibrand, Meng and Israel noted that airport advisory committees have been created across the country in other areas such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Louisville, Atlanta, Boston and Philadelphia.

Their letter is also signed by Reps. Joseph Crowley (D-Queens/Bronx), Eliot Engel (D-Bronx/Westchester) Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan/Brooklyn), Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn/Queens), Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan/Queens), Carolyn McCarthy (D-L.I.), Gregory Meeks (D-Queens/Nassau) and Jose Serrano (D-Bronx).

July 23, 2013

Patrick Foye

Executive Director

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

225 Park Avenue South

New York, NY 10003

We write in strong support for the establishment of an airport advisory committee that would address the ongoing and future concerns of our constituents in the Metro Area. An official forum is necessary so that all concerns are heard and stakeholders can discuss viable solutions that will meet the needs of the aviation industry and our constituents.

Currently, no formal advisory committee exists for residents and local business owners to express how they are affected by flight patterns, construction, times and frequency of arrivals and departures, new runway configurations, and other airport issues. It is critical that they have the opportunity to offer their feedback on these matters.

Establishing an advisory committee would offer structure and cohesion to the process and create a formal environment for impacted parties, including residents, airline representatives, and community leaders, to voice their opinions and vote on the issues. This would also enable elected officials on the federal and state level, the aviation community and the Federal Aviation Administration to properly understand the concerns of our large community as a whole, instead of the segmented feedback we all work with now.

Community advisory committees have been successfully established in cities across the country including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Louisville, Atlanta, Boston and Philadelphia. These committees have facilitated constructive dialogue and implemented initiatives to address community concerns. It is essential that the Metro Area has a means for constructive dialogue as well.

For these reasons, we respectfully request that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey establish an airport advisory committee for the Metro area. Thank you for your consideration of this important matter. We look forward to working with you on this issue.

Sincerely,

Congresswoman Grace Meng

Congressman Steve Israel

Senator Charles Schumer

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

Congressman Joseph Crowley

Congressman Eliot Engel

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney

Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy

Congressman Gregory Meeks

Congressman Jerrold Nadler

Congressman Jose Serrano

CC: Thomas Bosco – Acting Director of PANYNJ Aviation

Carmine Gallo – Eastern Regional Administrator

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