Village Skies Under FAA Review: Public Input Urged Feb 9

FAA Meeting on "Airspace Redesign Plan" at Murray Ave at 6:30 pm

(January 25, 2006)   The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing to redesign the airspace in the New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia metropolitan areas based on a study the agency has been conducting for the last five years. The FAA’s stated goals are to increase efficiency, reduce delays, and support the airline industry, but according to the local Quiet Skies Committee of WRAIN, changes to the airspace plan could have a significant impact on the quality of life along the Sound Shore.

FAA Flight Path Map Over Larchmont. Blue lines are flights approaching to land at LaGuardia from 5:00am to 10:00am on 1/23/02.

Since air traffic control procedural changes have the potential to impact the environment, the FAA is legally required by the National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) to issue a public Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). FAA representatives will present DEIS findings in Larchmont on Thursday, February 9 at the Murray School auditorium, at 6:30 p.m.

“This is a once in a life-time opportunity to protect our air space for the future,” said Patty Horing, a member of the Quiet Skies group. “It’s important to have a show of force at this meeting, since the attendance becomes part of the public record and may impact the final outcome. The more organized the community is on this issue, the greater the chance of securing peace and quiet for the future.”

Quiet Skies of WRAIN (which originated to oppose development of an IKEA in New Rochelle) is led by six residents from the Town of Mamaroneck and the villages of Larchmont and Mamaroneck.

“Our group has always advocated for equitable distribution of the ‘pain’ – we all use the local airports,” said Ms. Horing. “We’re not saying don’t send any planes here. It’s a question of fairness. We’re all lucky to have the Long Island Sound as a buffer – which if used more consistently would spare everyone the noise.”

“The changes implemented as a result of this airspace redesign will create new flight patterns that could last for decades – for better, or more likely, for worse,” said Michael Alfieri, a Larchmont attorney and member of the Quiet Skies Committee. “Our group is working to analyze the possible impacts to the quality of life in Larchmont and Mamaroneck, and ensure that our area does not become a dumping ground for incoming LaGuardia air traffic, as we experienced in the spring and summer of 2000 and 2001.”

The wheels had started turning before September 11, but the process slowed down after that. “Now things have ramped back up and a Draft Environmental Impact Statement has been published and is available for public review,” said Mr. Alfieri.

“They seem to be trying to bang in as many planes as they can into a smaller space at La Guardia,” he added. One alternative would use new technology to safely reduce separation between planes from the current 5 miles to a future 3 miles, he explained. Mr. Alfieri is concerned that the new technology could greatly increase the number of planes flying overhead in Larchmont and other surrounding communities.

Quiet Skies was formed in 2000, after a new ruling allowed more planes per hour to land at LaGuardia and pushed the air traffic loop directly over the Town and Village. With help from Congresswoman Nita Lowey, the group was able to work with FAA and Port Authority officials to mitigate the impact on the ground and achieve a more equitable distribution of air traffic.

However, the Airspace Redesign Plan will be a much more permanent procedural engagement. “Now it’s about protecting our future, our peace and quiet, and our real estate values,” Mr. Alfieri said.

Representatives from Congresswoman Lowey’s office, the Larchmont Village Board, Town of Mamaroneck Board, and Village of Mamaroneck Board will be in attendance. "This is a very serious issue for our community, and I urge local residents to attend the meeting on February 9th and learn more about these proposed plans," said Congresswoman Nita Lowey.

The DEIS is available to be viewed online at (See: Redesign DEIS), and in the Larchmont Library Reference Room.

According to FAA information, the DEIS presentation meeting will follow a workshop format, with opportunity for one-on-one discussions with FAA representatives. The meeting schedule is as follows:

6:30-6:45 pm. Sign In

6:45-7:00 pm. Video

7:00-8:00 pm. One-on-One Discussions

8:00-9:00 pm. Question and Answer Panel

Public comments will be taken throughout the meeting, and written comments may be submitted until June of this year, at which point the FAA will issue its Final EIS. For more information about the meeting check the website above or call 1-866-EISLine (1-866-347-5463). Written comments may be sent to:

Steve Kelley, FAA-NAR, c/o Ms. Nessa Memberg,
12005 Sunrise Valley Rd., MS C3.02Stop,
Reston , VA 20191 or E-Mail to Faa.deis@ngc.com

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