Riverhead and Southold towns are “a doormat to the Hamptons” when it comes to helicopter noise.
That’s how several speakers described the helicopter routes being taken to South Fork destinations during a two-and-a-half hour meeting in Riverhead Tuesday. READ
Over coffee and bagels, two dozen constituents met with Congressman Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) early Tuesday morning at the American Legion in Southold. READ
When the Federal Aviation Administration extended its North Shore Helicopter Route in 2016 for four more years, we argued in this space that it was another example of government sticking with the status quo rather than addressing a problem. At the time, we argued the FAA had failed to take into account any public input before making its decision. READ
More than a 125 people attended Wednesday’s Federal Aviation Administration workshop in Riverhead to express complaints over the constant buzz of helicopters flying across the North Fork. But the format of the hearing left many feeling as if the FAA was failing to take their complaints seriously. READ
North Fork residents who have long been frustrated over the constant helicopter noise overhead, particularly during summer months, will finally get their chance to vent to the Federal Aviation Administration. A public hearing is scheduled for Nov. 14 in Riverhead, following the bill passed in October that requires the FAA to reassess the North Shore Helicopter Route. READ
The bill passed earlier this month by the U.S. Senate requiring the Federal Aviation Administration to reassess the unpopular North Shore Helicopter Route has Southold Town Board talking about its next steps.
The bill includes an amendment to the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 that would require the FAA to consider noise impacts on affected communities, improve altitude enforcement and consider alternative routes, such as an all-water route over the Atlantic Ocean. READ
Southold Town is continuing to develop a potential code change to address issues residents have with helicopter noise. READ
The House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday with an amendment that would require the Federal Aviation Administration to reassess the North Shore Helicopter Route that North Fork residents have said brings frequent and unwanted noise.
With summer approaching, Riverhead Town’s Helicopter Noise Task Force is gearing up for another battle over helicopter noise. Task force members met last Thursday with the Town Board and leaders of a similar group in Southold Town to plot strategy. READ
Good for democracy.
That’s the significance of the legislation authored by State Senator Kenneth LaValle (R-Port Jefferson) and Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I-Sag Harbor) signed into law last week by Governor Andrew Cuomo providing that if any future East Hampton Town Board wants a Federal Aviation Administration grant running 10 years or more, it would have to be approved by the voters.