The Honorable Michael P. Huerta
Administrator
Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20591
Dear Administrator Huerta,
As a Member of Congress representing constituents from the Borough of Queens, and Nassau and Suffolk Counties, I am writing to let you know that the increase in aircraft noise in communities across my district has been intolerable. Today, I ask that you increase enforcement of an agreement put in place almost 14 years ago to limit the number of overnight arrivals that fly directly over a large section of Nassau County.
At the very least, aircraft noise is a major inconvenience, making life outside almost unbearable, and at its worst can be a serious health hazard. These factors are magnified immensely during sensitive overnight hours, when people are trying to sleep without being interrupted by the roar of an aircraft passing overhead.
The agreement signed by the Air Traffic Managers at both New York TRACON and Kennedy Tower on September 1, 2000 entitled "New York TRACON/Kennedy Tower Letter of Agreement" directly addressed the issue of overnight aircraft noise over Nassau County. The agreement stated that Runways 22L and 22R, which are responsible for a majority of the aircraft noise my constituents experience in Nassau County, would not be used for arrivals, except in a very limited number of situations, between the hours of 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM local time.
However, according to data made public by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, arrivals into Runway 22L from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM climbed nearly 36 percent between 2012 and 2013, from 8,497 arrivals in 2012 to 11,520 in 2013. No other runway at JFK saw an increase even close to that of 22L during the same period, and it is unfair to the residents of Nassau County for even more flights to be routed over their homes during the overnight hours.
I demand that all reasonable steps be taken to ensure the terms of the Agreement are being met in a timely manner. The health of hardworking families living in New York's 3rd Congressional District is far too valuable to be disrupted by low flying aircraft.
Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing back on how we can work together to decrease the level of airplane noise and improve the lives of my constituents.
Sincerely,
STEVE ISRAEL
Member of Congress