Officials Plan Rally Against FAA

By Joe Marvilli

Local officials have come out against the Federal Aviation Administration’s decision to move forward with changes in departure procedures at LaGuardia Airport that has resulted in a large increase in noise and air pollution throughout northeastern Queens.

  In response to the new flight patterns, State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) and Assemblyman Edward Braunstein (D-Bayside) will hold a rally in opposition on Saturday, Dec. 15th at 11 a.m. in front of Avella’s Senate District Office at 38-50 Bell Blvd. in Bayside.

  Both of the officials became involved with the FAA noise issues earlier this year after receiving several complaints from residents about the volume. They reached out to the FAA, who said they were testing a new departure procedure.

  The organization also said that if they decided to use the new flight paths on a permanent basis, comments from the public would be considered before an environmental determination was made.

  A large rally by Avella, Braunstein, Community Board 11 and other civic leaders was held on Aug. 24 in regards to the noise. According to a press release by Avella, the FAA said in September that the testing period would end by mid-October.

  Instead, the state senator was recently informed that the FAA performed the environmental review and approved the new procedures on a regular basis, without a comment period from the public.

  “It is a disgrace the FAA has decided to go ahead with these departure changes without the proper input from the community,” Avella said.

  In a letter sent to officials, the FAA replied that they cannot control aircraft from flying over particular areas, unless such a path is declared unsafe.

  “We acknowledge it is impossible to reduce noise levels in every area. We are committed to minimizing noise along with other negative impacts to the greatest extent possible,” the letter read.

  Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125, or at jmarvilli@queenstribune.com.