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| Effort Will Kick Start Mitigation of Noise in Neighborhoods Surrounding LGA Passage of Crowley amendment to the FAA Reauthorization bill follows up meeting with PANYNJ and key federal stakeholders last week |
| (Washington, DC) – Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx) successfully included a provision in today’s FAA Reauthorization Act of 2009 (H.Res.464) to enable the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ) to fully address the issue of noise pollution in the neighborhoods surrounding La Guardia Airport. Full text of the Crowley noise mitigation language is included below. “For too long, Queens residents have suffered from the constant noise of jets flying in and out of La Guardia Airport. The noise is far more than a nuisance – it increases cardiovascular risk, causes long-term sleep deprivation, and negatively impacts children’s ability to concentrate.” said Congressman Joe Crowley. “This amendment allows the PANYNJ to once and for all address the noise pollution problem in the La Guardia airport community and help improve the lives of thousands of Queens residents.” Last week, Congressman Crowley organized a critical meeting between officials from the PANYNJ and the chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Jim Oberstar. Community leaders, including Congressman Crowley, have been calling on officials to study the effect of airport noise on residences in the La Guardia area, including Jackson Heights and Corona, and to fund the mitigation of noise in local homes through soundproofing. “Noise pollution should be taken as seriously as any other type of pollution and I will continue to work with stakeholders at all levels to fully address the issue in the La Guardia region,” continued Congressman Crowley. Congressman Crowley is a six-term U.S. Representative from the 7th District of New York that includes sections of Queens near La Guardia Airport. He has worked extensively with community leaders, Federal officials and representatives from New York City and State to promote noise abatement for those with homes affected by noise created by La Guardia Airport. The full bill with Crowley amendment now moves to the Senate for consideration. BACKGROUND: Full Text of Crowley-Amendment on Soundproofing of Airport-Area Residences Section 47504(c)(2) is amended by revising paragraph (D) to read as follows: “(D) to an airport operator and unit of local government referred to in paragraph (1)(A) or (1)(B) of this subsection to soundproof— “(i) a building in the noise impact area surrounding the airport that is used primarily for educational or medical purposes and that the Secretary decides is adversely affected by airport noise; and “(ii) residential buildings located on residential properties in the noise impact area surrounding the airport that the Secretary decides is adversely affected by airport noise, provided that: “(I) the residential properties are within airport noise contours prepared by the airport proprietor using the Secretary’s methodology and guidance, and the noise contours have been found acceptable by the Secretary; “(II) the residential properties cannot be removed from airport noise contours for at least a five-year period by changes in airport configuration or flight procedures; “(III) the land use jurisdiction has taken, or will take, appropriate action, including the adoption of zoning laws, to the extent reasonable to restrict the use of land to uses that are compatible with normal airport operations; and “(IV) the Secretary determines that the project is compatible with the purposes of this chapter; and” New subsection (e): (e)(1) Before awarding grants under subsection (c)(2)(D), the Administrator must establish criteria to determine which residences in the 65 DNL area suffer the greatest noise impact. (2) Prior to making a final decision on the criteria required by subsection (e)(1), the FAA shall develop proposed criteria and obtain an analysis from the Comptroller General as to the reasonableness and validity of the criteria. (3) If the Secretary determines that the grants likely to be awarded under subsection (c)(2)(D) in fiscal years 2010 though 2012 will not be sufficient to soundproof all residences in the 65 DNL area, the Secretary shall first award grants to soundproof those residences suffering the greatest noise impact under the criteria established in (e)(1). ### |