U.S. Reps. Menendez & Goldman introduce ‘Communities Before Air Tourism Act’

U.S. Reps. Rob Menendez (D-8) and Dan Goldman (D-NY) have introduced the “Communities Before Air Tourism Act” to regulate certain helicopter flights.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

The legislation would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Park Service (NPS) to consult with communities under air-tour routes before entering into Air Tour Management voluntary agreements with helicopter operators.

“Residents in our community shouldn’t have to endure the relentless disruption of helicopter air tours, especially around cherished spaces like Liberty State Park, where noise and safety risks continue to plague our region,” Menendez said in a statement.

“This legislation puts our communities first by ensuring their voices are heard. We must restore the peace and safety our families deserve.”

Under current statute, the FAA and NPS may enter voluntary agreements with air tour operators under a section of law intended to protect national parks, park visitors, and the national aviation system.

However, these agreements do not require consideration of state parks or the residents of impacted communities.

“For years, New Yorkers have endured tens of thousands of non-essential helicopter flights that flood our neighborhoods with unbearable noise and worsening air quality,” added Goldman.

“After the tragic helicopter crash last April, it is long past time for the FAA to give our communities a real voice in choosing the routes that these tours fly. I am proud to join Congressman Menendez in reintroducing this bill because profits should never come before the health, safety, and wellness of New Yorkers.”

The Communities Before Air Tourism Act closes this gap by requiring federal agencies to include affected communities in the decision-making process and by expanding the criteria used to evaluate air tour agreements to account for noise, safety, and quality-of-life impacts on neighborhoods under the route.

“Stop the Chop NY/NJ applauds Congressman Menendez for his continuing leadership to curb the plague of sightseeing/tourist helicopter flights adversely impacting people on both sides of the Hudson River,” noted Stop the Chop NY/NJ Board Chair Melissa Elstein.

“Such negative impacts have been made even more glaring since the sightseeing helicopter crash into the Hudson River on April 10th of this year that tragically killed a family of five and the pilot. This dangerous, excessively noisy, and polluting nonessential helicopter traffic places the safety of millions of people under or near their flight paths at risk on a daily basis, and significantly reduces quality of life. We urge Congress to pass this bill and for the administration to sign it into law.”

This bill follows the introduction of another Menendez sponsored bill, the Improving Helicopter Safety Act, which would ban all non-essential helicopter traffic within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty.

“The extremely loud barrages of helicopter noise from air tourism flights are a severe intrusion into the quality-of-life experiences of all who come to peacefully enjoy Liberty State Park, the waterfront family park right behind the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island,” exclaimed Friends of Liberty State Park President Sam Pesin.

“Liberty State Park, turning 50 years old in June as our nation turns 250, uplifts the lives of people of all ages – whether urban residents in this crowded, concrete region seeking to enjoy picnics, recreation and relaxation or visitors from around our nation enjoying the spectacular views of the national monuments, the Manhattan skyline and the harbor.”

Menendez also introduced this legislation during the 118th Congress.

This year, he also led the New Jersey and New York delegations in three letters urging the DOT and FAA to examine the safety of the airspace and calling for the immediate grounding of all non-essential helicopter traffic in the region, and for an investigation into the helicopter tourism industry.

Menendez also urged the EPA to use their authority to address noise pollution from helicopters.