Reps. Menendez & Nadler sponsor Protecting Communities from Helicopter Noise Act

U.S. Reps. Rob Menendez (D-8) and Jerry Nadler (D-NY) are sponsoring the Protecting Communities from Helicopter Noise Act, which was introduced yesterday.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“We cannot ignore the detrimental effects excessive helicopter noise has on our community and the broader New Jersey-New York region,” Menendez said in a statement.

“Our residents deserve peace of mind at home and in community spaces like Liberty State Park, but for too long, aviation policies governing the region have prioritized nonessential helicopters over the wellbeing of people who live and work in our district. I am proud to introduce this bill with Congressman Nadler to improve the quality of life of our constituents.”

The bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to study helicopter noise within a 15-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty National Monument and examine potential solutions in diverting helicopters away from residential and recreational areas.

“The New York metropolitan area has one of the highest rates of helicopter use in the world, and that number is only getting higher as helicopter usage in the region continues to increase in frequency and severity,” Nadler added.

“Helicopter-related noise complaints to 311 have gone up in New York City by over 2300% in the last five years, and helicopter noise is now one of the top issues I hear about from my constituents.”

Last year, Menendez wrote to the FAA and National Park Service to designate the entirety of Liberty State Park (LSP) as an avoidance area for helicopter traffic.

Additionally, he introduced the Communities Before Air Tourism Act, which requires the FAA and NPS to consult with communities under air tour routes and take community impact into account when entering into Air Tour Management Voluntary Agreements with helicopter operators.

He has also pushed the FAA to investigate specific incidents of helicopter noise in the district.

Reps. Frank Pallone (D-6), Donald Payne (D-10), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), and Dan Goldman (D-NY) also joined the bill as original co-sponsors.