Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein (D-Bayside) announced today that Governor Andrew M. Cuomo directed the Port Authority to double the number of noise monitors, establish aviation community roundtables, and conduct extensive studies of noise issues for residents of Queens, the Bronx and Nassau County. Governor Cuomo also directed the Port Authority to take a multifaceted, comprehensive series of actions in coordination with local communities to address noise issues at its New York City airports. The agency will also be stepping up the review of noise data with the Federal Aviation Administration.

“It is great news to see that Governor Cuomo and the Port Authority are following up on their promise to address the airplane noise problems plaguing our community for the last few years,” said Assemblyman Braunstein. “These initiatives are a good first step and I look forward to working with my colleagues and advocates such as Queens Quiet Skies to ensure that our community’s quality of life remains intact.”

“Airport noise is rightly an important concern for residents of Queens, the Bronx and Nassau County and that is why I am directing the Port Authority to open a full and thorough dialogue with the impacted communities while also pursuing a noise study to better address the issue,” Governor Cuomo said. “We will listen to local residents and ensure their input is used to make both JFK and LaGuardia airports better neighbors.”

The Port Authority will commence aviation community roundtables with FAA officials and community representatives in April for JFK and LaGuardia airports. The two roundtables will include representatives of local elected officials, who have been consulted with regarding the formation and role of the roundtables. The roundtable meetings will be held on a regularly scheduled basis and will provide an ongoing opportunity for the Port Authority, the FAA and the community to mutually seek ways to manage noise impacts. These roundtables also will provide communities with input, information and ongoing updates during the separate Part 150 noise studies.

Late last year, the Port Authority committed to Governor Cuomo’s request that it conduct a Federal Airport Noise Compatibility Planning Part 150 Study to better evaluate noise impacts to the communities surrounding JFK and LaGuardia airports. The agency will now hire an experienced aircraft noise consulting firm to assist with fulfilling the requirements of those studies. These efforts identify residences, schools/libraries, hospitals/nursing homes and places of worship adversely impacted by aircraft noise. The study takes public comment and provides official answers. It also recommends measures to mitigate excessive noise where possible and seeks to limit future development in potential problem areas. Mitigation efforts taken at other airports that have done Part 150 studies include revamping of flight routes and approach procedures, encouraging airlines to use quieter aircraft and installing soundproofing to eligible properties. The overall goal is to provide noise relief to communities where possible and practical, while ensuring the continued regional economic benefits of air travel.

The Port Authority is also committed to doubling the existing portable noise monitors collecting data over flight paths for JFK and LaGuardia airports. This will allow placement in communities currently without monitors, as well as greater flexibility in moving monitors around key communities as needed to collect data. The agency has the authority to impose limited fines on aircraft violating noise limits at JFK airport and does so as necessary. Additionally, the agency is establishing a new Aviation Noise Office that will be staffed by a dedicated team which will be responsible for collecting and reviewing the noise data, while also responding on an enhanced basis to community complaints. The Port Authority has also streamlined its noise complaint hotline system at 800-225-1071, making it easier for residents to lodge specific complaints about aircraft noise.

Residents of communities near JFK and LaGuardia airports now can track planes and flight patterns on the Port Authority’s new WebTrak system, which provides graphics identifying aircraft, decibel noise levels, altitudes, airspace location and origin and destination airports. This informative feature will help residents better identify which planes and aircraft patterns are causing noise issues. WebTrak, already in use at some other U.S. airports, also allows individuals to log aircraft noise complaints while on the site. WebTrak is accessible at http://webtrak.bksv.com/panynj. While the public now may file complaints on WebTrak, the public also can file noise complaints at http://www.planenoise.com/panynj/daPRAbr9/qs114wbt.php.