McCarthy Calls for Hotline for Airplane Noise Complaints

In response to complaints from her constituents about excessive airplaine noise in the area, Rep. Carolyn McCarthy is calling on federal and state authorities to work together to address the problem.

McCarthy wrote to officials earlier this month, asking them to clearly delineate their jurisdictions and create a joint toll-free hotline for noise complaints, which she says would help citizens cut through the red tape of two large agencies and resolve the problem of increasing airplane noise.

In the Oct. 7 letter to FAA Regional Administrator Carmine Gallo and Port Authority Director of Aviation Susan Baer, McCarthy wrote, “I have heard from residents all over my district expressing their concern regarding the number of airplanes that fly over their homes."

The residents told McCarthy that they have noticed an increase in the volume of planes in recent months and an increase in flyovers in the middle of the night.

"It is imperative that all related agencies take part in mitigating noise levels," McCarthy wrote, requesting the two agencies attend the Oct. 24 meeting of the with responses to her inquiries.

“We can all agree, as public servants, that one of our goals is to preserve and improve the quality of life for the people we serve," she wrote. "Reducing aircraft noise is one example of where we can achieve this goal."

In the past, McCarthy has taken multiple legislative actions to address aircraft noise abatement, including successfully sponsoring an amendment to the FAA Reauthorization Act that encouraged the Port Authority to conduct a noise study focusing on the areas surrounding JFK and LaGuardia Airports. She also introduced H.R. 6364, the Noise Reduction Act, which would have provided a tax credit for the installment of noise abatement technologies for individuals who wish to soundproof their homes.

over the noise levels and frequency of the planes in recent months, to look into joining TVASNAC, which includes representatives from Floral Park, New Hyde Park, East Williston, Inwood, Atlantic Beach, Valley Stream, Cedarhurst, Hewlett Harbor, Island Park, Lawrence, Long Beach, Stewart Manor, Woodsburgh and Garden City.

At the October village board meeting, McDonald said New York Assemblyman Brian Curran was working on addressing the air traffic noise too.

Stay with Patch for more developments on this issue.