Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder is screaming for less noise coming from aircraft flying over the peninsula. Residents continue to have issues over the growing problem of airplane noise over southern Queens and Rockaway. As a voice for the community, Goldfeder is urging Governor Cuomo to sign legislation that would require the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey conduct a noise study and hold public meetings in the area. “As far back as I can remember growing up in Rockaway, airplanes have always plagued our family and community,” Assemblyman Goldfeder said. “We have been through enough after Sandy and deserve to have quiet and peace of mind while sitting in our own home. I strongly urge Governor Cuomo to sign this legislation immediately to mitigate air traffic noise for our hard-working communities.” The legislation is co-sponsored by Goldfeder and was unanimously passed in both houses of the legislator. It would require the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to routinely conduct noise studies, as outlined under federal aviation regulations in order to monitor flights and find ways to mitigate the noise levels to better protect residents. Many of the houses adjacent to John F. Kennedy Airport receive a volume over 100 decibels, which is nearly twice as high as an acceptable living noise. “The Broad Channel Civic Association commends Assemblyman Goldfeder for fighting for this critical legislation to assess the dramatic increase in air traffic noise that our community is experiencing!,” Dan Mundy Jr., President of the Broad Channel Civic said. “The FAA is now implementing NEXT -GEN technology that will increase tremendously the number of flights in and out of JFK airport at a time when the surrounding communities are already suffering from unacceptable noise pollution. This legislation will allow for the necessary monitoring needed to enable a comprehensive discussion of the impacts that this noise pollution is producing on residents and their families.” In his letter to Cuomo, Goldfeder noted that increased air traffic not only impacts daily living, but longterm exposure can cause permanent damage to one’s hearing. “We are all expected to be good neighbors and our airports are no different,” said Assemblyman Goldfeder. “I look forward to working with the Port Authority to ensure our families are protected from any long-term harm that air traffic may potentially cause.” Once signed, the legislation would also allow the Port Authority to receive the necessary state funding to permanently lower noise levels through soundproofing and insulating resident’s homes and local businesses in the severely impacted areas.
Posted on: Fri, 20 Sep 2013 11:08:05 +0000