Empower East Hampton Town to Regulate Airport Noise

For many years, aircraft have been directed over routes selected to avoid residential areas, concentrating air traffic over sensitive natural habitats. The misguided “solution” fails to solve the real problem. Air traffic over both houses and nature preserves must be managed for the benefit of both natural and residential communities. East Hampton Town must take the lead in establishing protocols and hours of operation for air traffic.

As you are aware, the Federal Aviation Administration has recently stipulated that reasonable and non-discriminating restrictions in the volume and pattern of air traffic can best be achieved by removing the Town from the strictures that come with FAA funding for airport expenses. The East Hampton Environmental Coalition, representing more than 5,000 combined members, urges the Town to recover local control of our airspace. We believe that in doing so you can ensure this community’s ability to protect the environment and quality of life in both our neighborhoods and the natural communities that make East Hampton unique and livable.

The East Hampton Environmental Coalition was formed in 2011 to created awareness among the public and elected officials of pressing environmental issues. We are writing today to focus attention on the dramatic effects of unregulated jet and helicopter noise on our community and our natural resources, particularly on wildlife in affected nature preserves.

Historically, helicopters have been concentrated over nature preserves via three approved routes: Northwest Creek (East Hampton’s second largest nature preserve); Georgia Pond; and, the Long Pond Greenbelt (after passing over Morton Wildlife Refuge and Jessups Neck in Southampton). Impact on wildlife is measurable. Data from Northwest Creek reflects that in recent years Piping Plovers, a federally endangered species, have declined from seven nesting pairs to one, while nesting sites for Least Terns, a New York State threatened species, have disappeared altogether, down from 20 nests. This local data reflects the findings of over 100 scientific publications documenting the dramatic effects of unregulated aircraft noise on wildlife. Of course, the effects on human populations are equally well documented.

Simply put, the complex demands of regulating a busy regional airport require more sophisticated tools. The Town Board has expressed support for reducing airport related noise and the FAA has pointed the way forward. With more than ten thousand calls to the airport’s noise complaint hot line since 2007, the time for members of the Town Board to act in the best interest of community is now.

Thank you for your time and consideration in addressing this critical environmental issue.

Sincerely,