The Town Board officially rejected the FAA funding deal and we have secured our local control of the airport. This victory belongs to every person who refused to accept twenty more years of federal handcuffs on our community. Stay tuned for the next phase as we keep monitoring the airport …
December 16, 2011
Final supporters
JOIN QUIET SKIES COALITION TODAY! http://www.quietskiescoalition.org/
VISIT OUR PAGE ON FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Quiet-Skies-Coalition-QSC/122688607828855?v=app_141428856257
To receive regular updates on airport issues, become a member of
Quiet Skies Coalition at http:// www.quietskiescoalition.org/ and click on the "Join Us button."
*** Tell us if you’d like to volunteer****SAY "NO" TO FAA FUNDING FOR EAST HAMPTON AIRPORT.
PLEASE DO NOT SIGN THE PETITION AS "ANONYMOUS" AS YOUR ENTRY WILL BE INVALID. PLEASE ADD THE TOWN WHERE YOU OWN PROPERTY AND ADD COMMENTS IF YOU WISH.
If the Town of East Hampton accepts new funds from the FAA, regaining local control when current agreements with the FAA expire in 2014 will not be possible for the next 20 years. East Hampton Town has a dedicated airport surplus of $1.5 million, which was intended to be used for maintenance projects such as repairs to the runway and /or the deer fence.
By law, those dedicated funds may not be utilized for any other purpose. Locally based pilots who use our airport are currently NOT charged landing and parking fees. If they were, the airport would have additional funds added to the surplus and could off set the cost of necessary maintenance. The fees established should contribute to, if not cover, the cost of maintenance. It has been suggested by pilots who use our airport that an additional runway be opened. This would only contribute to more air traffic resulting in additional air and noise pollution.
Say "NO" to FAA funding and help preserve our beautiful town, wildlife, and, peace and quiet. It is urgent to take action NOW! The Town Board is in a race to act on this, pressured from a few select who are pilots, employees of the airline facility, and still others who are not resident homeowners within our community whose interest is not with consideration of our fragile community and the quality of life issue we now face.
1. Why should I care about aircraft noise? I never hear it.
Aircraft noise affects thousands of properties all over Town, NOT just those near the airport. It affects neighborhoods over an area of more than 20 square miles.
Aircraft noise has dramatically increased in formerly quiet neighborhoods far from the airport, such as Noyac, North Haven, Shelter Island, Georgica, and the North Fork.
The noise “hotline” consistently records thousands of noise complaints each year. Nothing is done about noise complaints.
Routing traffic just moves noise impacts elsewhere. It does not reduce noise caused by traffic itself.
2. Do we have the power to pass local laws that would directly limit noise?
Local control is an indisputable legal right, confirmed in clear federal law.These rights are nullified when the Town accepts grant funds from the FAA.
East Hampton is an airport owner or proprietor.Airport owners can enact local laws limiting airport access and use to protect the community from noise.
Local noise controls can limit hours, establish curfews, apply weekend restrictions and even ban noisy helicopters.
Local control was explicitly approved in a leading federal case. New York City’s used local control to eliminate noise from a Manhattan heliport.
The law is effective and undisputed. Only the US Supreme Court could change it.
3. What would East Hampton have to do to enact local airport noise control laws?
When an airport owner accepts FAA grant money, it is required to sign contract promises, or assurances. Assurances prohibit local noise control, and last 20 years.
Once assurances expire, an airport owner can again enact local noise controls.
In just 2 ½ years, East Hampton’s existing assurances will expire, leaving it free to enact local airport noise controls.
If East Hampton accepts new FAA money, it will surrender its right to local control for twenty years.
4. Would local control make the airport more dangerous?
No. The FAA would still regulate aircraft flight, equipment and safety. Local noise control does not impact safety.
5. What his the Town government doing about airport noise?
Despite Town promises, under FAA control, it is not possible to limit airport use and access to control noise or helicopter traffic. FAA control will make it impossible to reduce the number of flights.
6. Would local control cost the taxpayers?
Local control would cost airport users more, not taxpayers.
Currently, airport use is cheap. East Hampton based planes pay no landing fees.
A small local fuel tax is used for airport costs. Aircraft owners also pay rent for aircraft parking.
Only 17% of all U.S. airports are even eligible for FAA funds. The vast majority operate without FAA funds, serving a clientele much less wealthy than in East Hampton. East Hampton can afford local control.
7. Won’t local noise control hurt our economy?
East Hampton draws visitors and celebrity homeowners because it has preserved its quiet rural charm. Aircraft noise damages that character.
Ordinary residents living far from the airport pay a high price in the loss of peace and quiet, solely for the convenience of a tiny group of visitors.
Unchecked aircraft noise damages our economy; local noise control protects it. If noise continues to increase, East Hampton will become a less desirable destination for discerning visitors.
JOIN QUIET SKIES COALITION TODAY! http://www.quietskiescoalition.org/
VISIT OUR PAGE ON FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Quiet-Skies-Coalition-QSC/122688607828855?v=app_141428856257
To receive regular updates on airport issues, become a member of Quiet Skies Coalition at http://www.quietskiescoalition.org and click on the "Join Us button."
*** Tell us if you’d like to volunteer.
PLEASE DO NOT SIGN AS "ANONYMOUS" AS YOUR ENTRY WILL BE INVALID. PLEASE ADD COMMENTS IF YOU WISH TO YOUR SIGNATURE AND PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT TOWN YOU OWN PROPERTY IN. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR SUPPORTING THIS EFFORT.
Updates
December 7, 2011
The feedback I am getting from residents confirms that the constant noise from East Hampton Airport is disrupting our lives far too much. Please post this link to your Facebook feed right now so we can show the town board we have the numbers to demand change. You should also call your local representative today to tell them you oppose any FAA funding for this facility.
December 7, 2011
The momentum behind this campaign is undeniable and it proves that our community refuses to lose local control of the airport. Post our link on your Facebook wall right now to keep this pressure on the Town Board. Text three neighbors and demand they sign before the FAA funding window closes.
Reached 100 supporters
December 7, 2011
6 Comments
One step in saving us from the noise and air pollution of "choppers" flying dangerously low over our homes.
SICK AND TIRED OF THE CHOPPERS RATTLING MY WINDOWS AT 7 AM
The FAA needs to listen to the actual residents for once.
Keep them out. We moved here for peace and quiet not a private airport for the rich.
Enough is enough. My kids cant even play in the yard on weekends because of the constant noise.
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Share this petition to help it reach more people.
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The Town Board officially rejected the FAA funding deal and we have secured our local control of the airport. This victory belongs to every person who refused to accept twenty more years of federal handcuffs on our community. Stay tuned for the next phase as we keep monitoring the airport …
December 16, 2011
Final supporters
JOIN QUIET SKIES COALITION TODAY! http://www.quietskiescoalition.org/
VISIT OUR PAGE ON FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Quiet-Skies-Coalition-QSC/122688607828855?v=app_141428856257
To receive regular updates on airport issues, become a member of
Quiet Skies Coalition at http:// www.quietskiescoalition.org/ and click on the "Join Us button."
*** Tell us if you’d like to volunteer****SAY "NO" TO FAA FUNDING FOR EAST HAMPTON AIRPORT.
PLEASE DO NOT SIGN THE PETITION AS "ANONYMOUS" AS YOUR ENTRY WILL BE INVALID. PLEASE ADD THE TOWN WHERE YOU OWN PROPERTY AND ADD COMMENTS IF YOU WISH.
If the Town of East Hampton accepts new funds from the FAA, regaining local control when current agreements with the FAA expire in 2014 will not be possible for the next 20 years. East Hampton Town has a dedicated airport surplus of $1.5 million, which was intended to be used for maintenance projects such as repairs to the runway and /or the deer fence.
By law, those dedicated funds may not be utilized for any other purpose. Locally based pilots who use our airport are currently NOT charged landing and parking fees. If they were, the airport would have additional funds added to the surplus and could off set the cost of necessary maintenance. The fees established should contribute to, if not cover, the cost of maintenance. It has been suggested by pilots who use our airport that an additional runway be opened. This would only contribute to more air traffic resulting in additional air and noise pollution.
Say "NO" to FAA funding and help preserve our beautiful town, wildlife, and, peace and quiet. It is urgent to take action NOW! The Town Board is in a race to act on this, pressured from a few select who are pilots, employees of the airline facility, and still others who are not resident homeowners within our community whose interest is not with consideration of our fragile community and the quality of life issue we now face.
1. Why should I care about aircraft noise? I never hear it.
Aircraft noise affects thousands of properties all over Town, NOT just those near the airport. It affects neighborhoods over an area of more than 20 square miles.
Aircraft noise has dramatically increased in formerly quiet neighborhoods far from the airport, such as Noyac, North Haven, Shelter Island, Georgica, and the North Fork.
The noise “hotline” consistently records thousands of noise complaints each year. Nothing is done about noise complaints.
Routing traffic just moves noise impacts elsewhere. It does not reduce noise caused by traffic itself.
2. Do we have the power to pass local laws that would directly limit noise?
Local control is an indisputable legal right, confirmed in clear federal law.These rights are nullified when the Town accepts grant funds from the FAA.
East Hampton is an airport owner or proprietor.Airport owners can enact local laws limiting airport access and use to protect the community from noise.
Local noise controls can limit hours, establish curfews, apply weekend restrictions and even ban noisy helicopters.
Local control was explicitly approved in a leading federal case. New York City’s used local control to eliminate noise from a Manhattan heliport.
The law is effective and undisputed. Only the US Supreme Court could change it.
3. What would East Hampton have to do to enact local airport noise control laws?
When an airport owner accepts FAA grant money, it is required to sign contract promises, or assurances. Assurances prohibit local noise control, and last 20 years.
Once assurances expire, an airport owner can again enact local noise controls.
In just 2 ½ years, East Hampton’s existing assurances will expire, leaving it free to enact local airport noise controls.
If East Hampton accepts new FAA money, it will surrender its right to local control for twenty years.
4. Would local control make the airport more dangerous?
No. The FAA would still regulate aircraft flight, equipment and safety. Local noise control does not impact safety.
5. What his the Town government doing about airport noise?
Despite Town promises, under FAA control, it is not possible to limit airport use and access to control noise or helicopter traffic. FAA control will make it impossible to reduce the number of flights.
6. Would local control cost the taxpayers?
Local control would cost airport users more, not taxpayers.
Currently, airport use is cheap. East Hampton based planes pay no landing fees.
A small local fuel tax is used for airport costs. Aircraft owners also pay rent for aircraft parking.
Only 17% of all U.S. airports are even eligible for FAA funds. The vast majority operate without FAA funds, serving a clientele much less wealthy than in East Hampton. East Hampton can afford local control.
7. Won’t local noise control hurt our economy?
East Hampton draws visitors and celebrity homeowners because it has preserved its quiet rural charm. Aircraft noise damages that character.
Ordinary residents living far from the airport pay a high price in the loss of peace and quiet, solely for the convenience of a tiny group of visitors.
Unchecked aircraft noise damages our economy; local noise control protects it. If noise continues to increase, East Hampton will become a less desirable destination for discerning visitors.
JOIN QUIET SKIES COALITION TODAY! http://www.quietskiescoalition.org/
VISIT OUR PAGE ON FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Quiet-Skies-Coalition-QSC/122688607828855?v=app_141428856257
To receive regular updates on airport issues, become a member of Quiet Skies Coalition at http://www.quietskiescoalition.org and click on the "Join Us button."
*** Tell us if you’d like to volunteer.
PLEASE DO NOT SIGN AS "ANONYMOUS" AS YOUR ENTRY WILL BE INVALID. PLEASE ADD COMMENTS IF YOU WISH TO YOUR SIGNATURE AND PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT TOWN YOU OWN PROPERTY IN. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR SUPPORTING THIS EFFORT.
Updates
December 7, 2011
The feedback I am getting from residents confirms that the constant noise from East Hampton Airport is disrupting our lives far too much. Please post this link to your Facebook feed right now so we can show the town board we have the numbers to demand change. You should also call your local representative today to tell them you oppose any FAA funding for this facility.
December 7, 2011
The momentum behind this campaign is undeniable and it proves that our community refuses to lose local control of the airport. Post our link on your Facebook wall right now to keep this pressure on the Town Board. Text three neighbors and demand they sign before the FAA funding window closes.
Reached 100 supporters
December 7, 2011
6 Comments
One step in saving us from the noise and air pollution of "choppers" flying dangerously low over our homes.
One step in saving us from the noise and air pollution of "choppers" flying dangerously low over our homes.
SICK AND TIRED OF THE CHOPPERS RATTLING MY WINDOWS AT 7 AM
The FAA needs to listen to the actual residents for once.
Keep them out. We moved here for peace and quiet not a private airport for the rich.
Enough is enough. My kids cant even play in the yard on weekends because of the constant noise.
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One step in saving us from the noise and air pollution of "choppers" flying dangerously low over our homes.