Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 24, 2007

Schumer Calls On FAA To Hold Local Public Hearing For Westchester Residents On Proposed NY Airspace Redesign

Westchester Residents Need More Time to Voice Concerns on Proposed Redesign

Senator Writes to FAA in Support of County Executive Spano's Request for a Public Hearing & 60-day Extension of the Comment Period

Concerned that Westchester residents have not had enough time to properly assess and voice their concerns over the recently issued environmental impact report on how the proposed FAA airspace redesign will affect their community, today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to hold a local public hearing in Westchester.

In a letter to FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, Schumer supported Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano’s recent request that the FAA hold a local hearing. Schumer also supported a 60-day extension of the comment period. There has only been one public meeting held since the FAA recently published the Noise Mitigation document for the redesign’s draft environmental impact study and it was held near LaGuardia.

“It’s abundantly clear that the residents of Westchester County need additional time to evaluate how the proposed airspace redesign will affect their community,” said Senator Schumer. “Today, I call on the FAA to heed County Executive Spano’s request and hold a public hearing and a 60-day extension of the comment period. The airspace redesign could have serious impacts on the quality of life for communities across Westchester, and it’s the local residents’ prerogative to have the necessary time to weigh the consequences of it.”

The FAA recently published the Noise Mitigation document for the redesign’s draft environmental impact study (DEIS). While the document was created to offer solutions for noise of overhead aircraft that can negatively impact residents who live near airports and in or near approached to those airports, there was only one public meeting regarding this document in New York, held near LaGuardia Airport.

In 1998, the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) initiated the National Airspace System Redesign program to maintain safety, decrease delays, and reduce congestion in the American airspace, particularly in the crowded airspace between Philadelphia and Boston. The final record of decision on the redesign is expected to be

completed by the end 2007.

Today, Senator Schumer sent the following letter to Administrator Blakey:

Dear Administrator Blakey,

I write in support of Westchester County’s request that you hold a public hearing on the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) proposal to redesign the New York area’s airspace for the residents of Westchester. I also support the call for a 60-day extension of the comment period. This proposal will significantly impact that quality of life for the residents, and they must be given the chance to respond.

As you know, the FAA recently published the Noise Mitigation document for the redesign’s draft environmental impact study (DEIS). This document was created to offer solutions for noise of overhead aircraft that can negatively impact residents who live near airports and in or near approaches to those airports. However, there was only one public meeting regarding this document in New York, held near LaGuardia Airport.

Westchester residents must be given a better chance to voice their concerns. Flights departing on Runway 22 make their way over the Long Island Sound, impacting residents in communities such as Larchmont and Mamaroneck. In addition, the redesign will affect flights arrive at and departing from the Westchester County Airport in White Plains and other nearby airports. Westchester residents must have the chance to clear the air with FAA officials, and make their voices heard.

Thank you for your attention to this letter. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Jason Abel, in my office, at (202) 224-6542.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

United States Senator

###

Resource Center