LI Pols Propose Study On Effects Of Air Traffic Over Communities

Two Long Island state representatives announced today that they are putting forward legislation to study the environmental and health impacts of John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport.

Sen. Jim Gaughran and Assemblywoman Judy Griffin said they would put forward the legislation after complaints from constituents about increased air traffic and changing flight patterns. The legislation would require the state's Department of Environmental Conservation to examine and report on the effects of the two airports.

“The high volume of airplane traffic on Long Island is a tremendous nuisance to Long Islanders, with noise level far above the average noise threshold," Gaughran said. "This occurrence has grown progressively severe and more frequent with recent changes in flight patterns and an overall increase in air traffic at JFK and LaGuardia airports, affecting residents across Nassau and Suffolk counties alike. This raises serious questions about potential environmental impacts, effects from noise pollution, and other possible negative impacts.”

The two said that constituents have told them that they have a declining quality of life due to the noise pollution, environmental impacts and other effects from the air traffic over their homes in the New York area. Planes come in extremely low when approaching for a landing, the two said, creating "deafening" noise levels, which have been reported to be above 65 decibels.

Since the change in flight patters, complaints have skyrocketed, the representatives said.

“Many of my constituents continue to experience a diminished quality of life from the excessive daily noise of air traffic above their homes," said Griffin. "This nuisance has continued unabated for decades. While air traffic is primarily a federal jurisdiction, I believe this state study will scientifically validate what residents already know -- the noise is excessive, harmful to humans, and needs to be better regulated and mitigated. Although we will always endure a level of airplane noise, I am hopeful that this study will illustrate that many residents are faced with excessive noise way above the acceptable level.”