SUNDAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING NEW MALONEY, NADLER, VELAZQUEZ FEDERAL HELICOPTER BILL:

This past Sunday, Congressmembers Carolyn Maloney, Jerry Nadler, and Nydia Velazquez held a press conference in front of the East 34th StreetHeliport announcing a new federal bill: "The Helicopter Management & Safety Plan" that, if passed into law, would "substantially reduce" nonessential helicopter traffic over the NYC metro area, and would create a Commission that would include three members "who are helicopter noise and safety advocates that reside in [said] airspace and are negatively impacted by nonessential helicopter flights." 

There are already 15 cosponsors of this new bill as of May 13, 2022 representing Congressmembers from NY, NJ, CA, DC, MA, and Georgia!

To read the bill, see: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/7769/cosponsors?r=1&s=1

(Note: this new bill does not replace H.R.1643 on which our petition is based, but is an additional bill introduced by our NY delegation. According to our Congressmembers, this new bill has a higher chance of passing. Of course our nonprofit mission is for a ban of the nonessential choppers, but even a "substantial reduction" and a commission with community members at the table and public hearings would alleviate much of the suffering and pollution caused by the status quo excessive helicopter traffic).

To read the press release, see: https://maloney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-maloney-nadler-and-velazquez-announce-legislation-to-substantially

Here is our full statement:  “Stop the Chop NY/NJ is a grassroots nonprofit coalition organization with a mission to ban nonessential (tourist and commuter/charter helicopters) from NY’s metropolitan airspace. We also seek to close the local heliports to this nonessential helicopter traffic. Just as we had the previous opportunities to support “The Improving Helicopter Safety Act” introduced by Congressmembers Carolyn B. Maloney, Jerry Nadler and Nydia Velazquez, we thank our Congressional Representatives for the opportunity to present at this press conference for the introduction of their additional, new federal helicopter bill. 
     Given that NYC has experienced at least 30 helicopter crashes since 1980, some fatal (including the 2019 deadly crash and fire on a midtown high rise rooftop and the 2018 drowning death of five tourists in the East River after their helicopter crash landed), there is good reason to fear for the safety of New Yorkers, their lives and property. Additionally, there is also the real security concern about helicopters’ potential use in terrorist attacks (unfortunately, we know from experience, that NYC is a target of terrorists). Furthermore, the stress-inducing and excessive noise pollution created by helicopters harms all those below their paths; this includes the commuter helicopters to the airports and Hamptons and the sightseeing/photography tours that hover and circle over our precious neighborhoods, parks and landmarks. Noise pollution is a proven health hazard negatively impacting the cardiovascular and endocrine systems, and reducing cognitive abilities in humans, especially children. That the privileged few and a small polluting industry can create such harm just to shave commuting time or take social media photos at the expense of the majority (including numerous environmental justice communities) is the opposite of what we should aspire to in an equitable, democratic system. 
     The proliferation of nonessential helicopters flying low in our already congested airspace is a real environmental threat. As NY elected officials advocate for reducing car and vehicular traffic due to polluting emissions, including congestion pricing, car-free streets, restrictions/caps on for-hire vehicles, and use of public transportation and bikes, they must also advocate against allowing one of the least environmentally-friendly modes of transportation to pollute our airspace without significant restrictions if at all.
    For these reasons, the status quo is simply unacceptable. It is time we end the Wild West airspace created by the helicopter menace over the NYC metro area and for the FAA to listen to the harmed communities and enact significant restrictions or a ban. We thank our NY Congressmembers for their leadership in continuing to fight for safer, cleaner and more peaceful skies above NYC! “

HERE ARE SOME ARTICLES RE THE PRESS CONFERENCE:

TAP INTO (Includes a video excerpt) https://www.tapinto.net/towns/sutton-place-slash-lenox-hill/sections/government/articles/stop-the-chop-applauds-bill-to-reduce-helicopter-flights

AM New York: https://www.amny.com/news/stop-the-chop-elected-officials-push-for-helicopter-noise-reduction-legislation/

The NY Daily News: https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/new-york-elections-government/ny-nyc-lawmakers-target-manhattan-helicopter-noise-complaints-20220515-uddcc42wsjctlmvoxg5cqr2ipe-story.html
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FILL IN COUNCIL MEMBER GALE BREWER'S SHORT HELICOPTER SURVEY!

Here below is an excerpt from Council Member Gale Brewer's recent newsletter regarding the helicopter problem. You do not have to be an UWS constituent to fill in this survey (it will only take a minute or so). Everyone, please participate!

"My office is collecting stories and feedback from people impacted by helicopter noise so we have a base to engage with and stories to point to. How are you being impacted by helicopter noise? What are you experiencing? Please let us know on this google form:  https://forms.gle/5qi1AFSMneh9k4dUA 

In case you missed it, here’s Gale’s op-ed in the Daily News, “Chop this problem down to size:  https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-chop-this-problem-down-to-size-20220505-vdq43wl4cbazjkapllajm274aq-story.html ”

Thanks Gale for your continued efforts to end this helicopter plague!