Community Corner

McCarthy Calls for Toll-Free Hotline for Airplane Noise Complaints

Congresswoman wrote to federal and state authorities asking them to clearly delineate their jurisdictions.

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy wrote to federal and state authorities last week asking them to clearly delineate their jurisdictions and create a joint toll-free hotline that they would use to address airplane noise heard by residents of Nassau County.

The steps, Rep. McCarthy argues, would help citizens cut through the red tape of two large agencies and find resolution to the problem of increasing airplane noise.

In the Oct. 7 letter to FAA regional administrator Carmine Gallo and Port Authority director of aviation Susan Baer, Rep. McCarthy wrote:

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“I have heard from residents all over my district expressing their concern regarding the number of airplanes that fly over their homes, citing that the volume has increased in recent months. Residents have further observed that there has been an increase in flyovers in the middle of the night. It is imperative that all related agencies take part in mitigating noise levels…

“We can all agree, as public servants, that one of our goals is to preserve and improve the quality of life for the people we serve. Reducing aircraft noise is one example of where we can achieve this goal. I look forward to hearing from you on these important matters.”

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Rep. McCarthy also noted the upcoming Oct. 24 meeting of the Town-Village-Aircraft-Safety & Noise Abatement Committee (TVASNAC) and asked the two agencies to attend with responses to her inquiries.

Legislatively, Rep. McCarthy has taken multiple actions to address aircraft noise abatement. She successfully sponsored an amendment to the FAA Reauthorization Act that encouraged the Port Authority to conduct a noise study focusing on the areas surrounding JFK and LaGuardia airports. She also introduced H.R. 6364, the Noise Reduction Act, which would have provided a tax credit for the installment of noise abatement technologies for individuals who wish to soundproof their homes.


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