In their continuous battle with unbearable airplane noise in Floral Park and the surrounding areas, residents recently flooded Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy's office with phone calls and letters. As a result, the congresswoman wants to take this opportunity to update the affected communities on her noise abatement efforts in Congress.

"First, I am working with other members of the New York Congressional delegation to address Nassau County's airplane noise issue in the fiscal year 2004 Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act," she said. The bill currently mandates soundproofing grants to communities where the air noise decibel level is more than the 65-Day Night Average Sound Level. "Setting a minimum level excludes millions of Americans who live, work and attend school near airports," McCarthy added.

A Bellerose resident, who recently sent the Dispatch a letter regarding noise pollution brought on by the frequent passing of trains in his neighborhood, said that the "planes, and especially the helicopters, are very loud and almost as annoying as the train noise."

The congresswoman is also working with fellow members of the Long Island Congressional delegation to fully fund the integration of the New York Air Route Traffic Control Center and the New York TRACON into one consolidated operation, the New York Integrated Control Complex.

"With no new airports or runways expected in our region in the near future, the only opportunity for improvement is changing the way the current air traffic system is managed," McCarthy said.

To further combat the problem, Floral Park's Noise Abatement Committee was formed and most recently, Trustee Gerry Bambrick, along with Mayor Ann Corbett and Noise Abatement Committee Member Stuart Rebish met with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials Sept. 15. The committee discussed the TRACON Agreement, which limits air traffic over Floral Park between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., with David Siewart, John F. Kennedy (JFK) Tower manager and FAA representatives.

Admitting the meeting was not particularly positive, Bambrick said there are many expectations to the TRACON Agreement because of weather and safety-related issues. The village's Noise Abatement Committee wants to define when the exceptions apply and when they do not. According to published reports, air traffic increases over Floral Park when the Port Authority closes runways for their maintenance program. This issue was also discussed at the Sept. 15 meeting.

Further, at the Aug. 25 Town and Village Aircraft Safety and Noise Abatement Committee (TVASNAC) meeting, Mike Santos, FAA representative, described the FAA North East Metropolitan Air-Design Plan for New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia, which is now in the development stage. The plan has two objectives - airport efficiency and safety enhancement. A draft of the plan will be available for comment by May 2004, with implementation targeted for 2005.

Noise abatement is not the plan's primary objective. The plan does not call for more runways, which the mayor said is a plus, but it does not entertain the possibility of ocean routing at JFK Airport because of military airspace restrictions.

"While population density will be considered, it was apparent that populations within ten miles of the airports are unlikely to reap any benefits from the new plan," Mayor Corbett said. "Floral Park is seven miles from JFK. Helicopter routes and noise and safety issues associated with them are not part of this plan."

Mayor Corbett continued, "While we agree to tolerate our fair share of over flights because of our proximity to the airports, our experience during recent months reveals an increase in over flights lasting for long periods of time...Dealing with the Port Authority, the Federal Aviation Administration and the North Eastern Helicopter Council is challenging."

McCarthy is slated to meet with officials at the JFK Air Traffic Control Tower in mid-November. Residents who have any particular questions they'd like addressed at this meeting should fax their inquiry to McCarthy's Washington office at (202) 225-5758. Please include your name and address so the congresswoman can send you a summary of the meeting.

Mayor Corbett said she, Bambrick and Noise Abatement Committee members will also continue contacting government officials who have "pledged their support." In thanking residents for their continued support Mayor Corbett added that anyone interested in having their name placed on the village's mailing list of residents concerned with helicopter and airplane traffic, safety and noise should call 326-6300 or check for information at www.fpvillage.org.