# TOW N O FEAS T HAMPTO N 15 9 Pantig o Roa d Eas t Hampton , N Y 1193 7

Offic e o f th e Superviso r WILLIAIV I J . WILKINSO N Office : (631 ) 324-414 0 Superviso rFax:(631)324-278 9

— ) Jun e 21 , 201 0
Federa l Aviatio n Administratio n ; ; '-_

_l Docke t Operation s M-3 0 120 0 Ne w Jerse y Avenue , S.E . Washington , D C 20591-000 1 Re : Comment s - NPR M Docke t FAA-2010-030 2 Dear Docket : Enclose dpleas e findcomment s o n behal f o f th e Tow n o f

Eas t Hampto n o n th e FAA' s propose d rul e establishin g amandatory North Shor t Helicopte r

Route . Our

comments , prepare db y th e Tow n with th e assistanc e o f counsel , stres s that

th e FAA' s propose drul e shoul db e viewe da s a first ste p i n acomprehensiv e effor t t o addres s helicopte r

ove r flights i n eastern Lon g Island . Th e Tow n i s awar e th e FA A ma y receiv e comment s fi-omth e Eas t En dHelicopte r

Nois e Stakeholder s Grou p (multi-town ) a s well . Th e Grou p i s comprise do f representative s o f

th e five east-en dcommunitie s o n Lon g Island . Whil e th e Tow n participate di n discussion s with thi s Group , an dagree dt o th e Group' s comments , th e Tow n o f Eas t Hampto n i s i n auniqu e situatio n a s agrea t proportio n o f

helicopte r

traffi c arrive s int o an ddepart s fromou r airport . Fo r

that reason , w e believ e i t

t o b e o f paramoun t

importanc e t o commen t

o n th e NPR M a s an individua l municipality . I n orde r t o continu e th e effor

t tha t ha s jus t bee n starte db y thi s NPRM , th e Tow n urge s th e FA A t o conven e aformal stakeholde r grou p t o participat e i n astud y o f alternativ e hehcopte r

route s i n eastern Lon g Islan d- no t onl y th e propose dNort h Shor e rout e but als o arout e alon g th e Sout h Shor e o f Lon g Islan dan dtransitio n route s betwee n thos e off-shore route s an ddestination s inlan dJun e 21 , 201 0

Pag e 2 i n eastern Lon g Island . W e loo k forwardt o havin g aseat a t th e tabl e a s FA A continue s t o explor e solution s that

optimiz e helicopte r

route s that

achiev e th e objectiv e o f reducin g nois e impacts . Sincerely ,

cc : Senato r Charle s Schume r Senato r Kirste n Gillibran d Congressman Ti mBishop Enclosur eComment s o f th e Tow n o f Eas t Hampto n Docke t FAA-2010-030 2 Ne w Yor k

Nort h Shor e Helicopte r Rout e Introductio n an dSummar y Th e Tow n o f

Eas t Hampto n (Town ) submit s thes e comment s i n respons e t o th e Notic e o f Propose dRulemakin g (NPRM ) t o requir e helicopte r operator s t o us e arout e name dth e "Ne w Yor

k North Shor e Route " (NYNSR ) whe n operatin g i n th e vicinity o f Lon g Island , Ne w York . Th e Tow n o f

Eas t Hampto n believe s that

th e NYNS Ri s afirst

step i n addressing , i n a comprehensiv e an dthoughtfu l maimer , th e proble mo f helicopte r

overflight s an dnois e throughou t

th e eas t en do f Lon g Island . Th e prefac e t o th e NPR M assert s that th e "intende deffect " o f

th e NPR M i s t o "reduc e th e nois e impac t o n nearb y communities " o f helicopte r traffi c travelin g fromNew York City an dnearb y area s t o th e communitie s i n th e eas t en do f Lon g Island . Th e Tow n applaud s th e FA A (an dou r Congressiona l delegation ) for

recognizin g that

th e nois e impac t

o f helicopte r

operation s i s acritica l issu e that warrant s th e unusua l ste p o f promulgatio n o f

aforma l Part 9 3 rul e settin g fort

h mandatory flight

patterns . Th e Tow n look s forwardt o workin g closel y with th e FA A an d othe r stakeholder s t o complet e th e jo b that th e NPR M starts . I n orde r t o complet e th e effort , th e Tow n urge s th e FA A t o conven e aforma l stakeholde r process . Thi s propose dproces s woul db e mor e inclusiv e tha n that propose db y th e pendin g FA A Reauthorizatio n legislatio n an dwoul densur e that th e Town , othe r

airpor t proprietor s an daffecte dcommunitie s hav e aseat a t th e tabl e i n directin g a comprehensiv e stud y o f

helicopte r

nois e i n th e eas t

en do f Lon g Island . Th e stud y shoul d examin e alternativ e flight corridor s an daltitude s an dshoul doptimiz e thos e corridor s an d altitude s t o achiev e th e FAA' s laudabl e objectiv e o f reducin g advers e impact s fi^om helicopte r overflights . Th e Tow n expect s that suc h stud y woul dno t

b e limite dt o route s of f th e north shor e o f

Lon g Island . Instead , th e stud y shoul dinclud e mandatory corridor s for helicopte r

operation s of

f th e sout h shor e an don-shor e for helicopter s transitionin g betwee n thos e off-shore corridor s an dthei r ultimat e origin/destinatio n i n eastern Lon g Island . Th e Tow n request s that th e FA A mak e acommitment , i n cormectio n with issuanc e o f

th e NYNSR , that

i t wil l formall y initiat e astakeholde r proces s t o evaluat e an dpropos e ne w Part

9 3 rule s t o implemen t

th e recommendation s o f

suc h astudy . Backgroun d Th e issu e o f

helicopte r

nois e ha s bee n acontentiou s issu e i n Lon g Islan dfor years . Th e Town , whic h i s th e proprieto r o f Eas t Hampto n Airport

(HTO) , ha s bee n takin g th e lea d i n workin g aggressivel y with man y stakeholder s t o addres s th e helicopte r problem . Th e Tow n ha s take n leadershi p o n thi s issu e for thre e reasons :Comment s o f th e Tow n o f

Eas t Hampto n FA A Docke t

2010-030 2 Propose dNe w Yor

k North Shor e Helicopte r

Rout e Pag e 2 First , HT O i s th e larges t

airport i n eastern Lon g Island . I t receive s th e larges t

proportio n o f helicopte r

traffi c i n th e regio n an di s locate di n clos e proximit y t o residentia l communitie s whos e quie t envirormient

i s ake y attribute . Resident s an dvisitor s t o HT O are th e predominan t

clientel e for

helicopte r

traffi c i n eastern Lon g Island . Finally , becaus e o f

th e Town' s geographi c location , th e Tow n experience s almos t al l o f th e impact s o f

helicopte r

traffic . Th e FAA , throug h th e unusua l actio n o f issuin g an NPR M t o estabUs h mandatory helicopte r route s fi-omth e New Yor k metropolita n are at o eastern Lon g Island , ha s clearl y recognize dth e uniqu e natur e o f (an dalmos t

ubiquitous ) proble mo f

helicopte r overflight s i n th e eas t

en do f Lon g Island . No t

onl y doe s eastern Lon g Islan dreceiv e a n extraordinary amoun t

o f helicopte r

traffi c (compare dt o othe r region s o f

th e country ) but th e geograph y an dresidentia l pattern s mak e solution s fa r mor e practica l tha n i n area s wher e helicopte r

traffi c i s primaril y operation s fo r medical , traffic , o r

publi c safet

y functions . Fo r approximatel y si x years , th e Tow n ha s bee n workin g with stakeholder s - includin g especiall y th e FA A an dth e Eastern Regio n Helicopte r Counci l - t o develo p voluntary procedure s t o mitigat e th e advers e effect s o f overflight s withi n th e Tow n an dvicinity . Sinc e 2004 , th e Tow n ha s publishe dapilo t guid e tha t

describe s an ddepict s preferre d helicopte r arriva l an ddepartur e route s for helicopter s usin g HTO . Th e Tow n ha s worke d closel y with th e Congressiona l delegatio n an dwas instrumenta l i n helpin g th e Senato r reac h th e Continue dCooperatio n an dComplianc e Agreemen t with th e Eastern Regio n Helicopte r

Counci l i n Decembe r

2007 . W e understan dthat

th e NPR M i s designe dt o addres s tw o significan t defect s with th e presen t flight patterns . First , th e curren t procedures , a s recognize di n th e Eastern Regio n Helicopte r

Counci l lette r

agreement , are voluntary . Despit e th e Town' s efforts , Senato r Schumer , former

Senato r Clinto n an dRepresentativ e Bishop an dth e FAA , (a t leas t implicitly , throug h issuanc e o f th e NPRM ) hav e al l recognize dthat th e voluntary procedure s hav e not

worked . Variou s figures hav e bee n offere da s t o th e compHanc e rate , bu t everyon e involve di n th e issu e woul dagre e that th e compUanc e rat e ha s not bee n satisfactory . Second , thes e curren t

voluntary procedure s addres s onl y asmal l segmen t o f th e proble m o f helicopte r

overflight s an dnoise . Th e Tow n ha s lon g urge dadoptio n o f apreferentia l rout e off-shore alon g th e south shor e o f Lon g Island . A mandatory sout h shor e rout e woul dreduc e overflight s o f incompatibl e lan dt o afa r greate r degre e tha n an y existin g voluntary (an dpropose dmandatory ) NYNSR . T o b e clear , th e Tow n o f Eas t Hampto n request s that

i n additio n t o th e propose dmandatory northern route , th e FA A als o implemen t

amandator y southern rout e for thos e hehcopter s arrivin g an ddepartin g vi a Eas t Hampton' s southerl y nois e abatemen t route . Neithe r

th e existin g - no r

th e propose d

- procedure s addres s route s an daltitude s onc e helicopter s exi t th e NYNSR . Becaus e o f geography , traffi c transitionin g betwee n th e NYNS Ran deithe r Franci s S . GabreskiComment s o f th e Tow n o f

Eas t Hampto n FA A Docke t

2010-030 2 Propose dNe w Yor

k North Shor e Helicopte r

Rout e Pag e 3 Airport (FOK ) o r

HT O mus t

overfl y significan t

residentia l area s withi n th e Town . In contrast , helicopte r

traffi c usin g asout

h shor e rout e woul donl y minimall y overfl y residentia l areas , especiall y i f traffi c t o an dfi-omHT O use dth e Town' s preferre d Georgic aPon drout e firomth e south . Finally , aconsequenc e o f th e NPR M woul db e th e preemptio n o f languag e i n th e pendin g FA A Reauthorizatio n Ac t tha t woul dmandat e astud y o f hehcopte r

route s an d nois e mitigatio n i n eastern Lon g Island . Largel y i n respons e t o concern s i n eastern Lon g Islan dthat

th e presen t

voluntary measure s are unsatisfactory , an dtha t anorth shore-onl y rout e doe s not

effectivel y minimiz e hehcopte r overflight

noise , Congressma n Ti mBishop inserte dlanguag e int o th e pendin g Hous e versio n o f th e FA A Reauthorizatio n Ac t that woul dmandat e astud y o f helicopte r

route s an daltitude s an drecommen dmeasure s t o abat e th e effect s o f

helicopte r

operation s o n residentia l area s o f Lon g Island . Se e H.R . 158 6 (111 * Cong , 2"' ' Sess. ) § 818 . Th e Tow n believe s that athoroug h stud y supervise d jointl y b y th e FAA , th e Town , othe r airpor t proprietors , th e operators ' trad e association , an dothe r stakeholders , i s anecessary predicat e t o athoughtfu l an dthoroug h resolutio n t o th e proble mo f

helicopte r

nois e i n eastern Lon g Island . Th e Tow n urge s th e FA A t o mak e clear

tha t it s NPR M i s no t

intende dto , an di n fac t

wil l not , obviat e th e nee dfo r suc h astudy . Th e final rul e shoul dexplicitl y includ e a n FA A commitmen t

t o fund , an d t o conven e th e relevan t

stakeholder s t o overse e suc h astudy . Mos t important , eac h o f

th e stakeholder s shoul dhav e asea t a t th e tabl e t o ensur e th e study' s legitimac y an dt o ensur e that i t genuinel y an dtransparentl y addresse s th e proble mo f helicopte r

overfligh t

nois e i n eastern Lon g Islan di n acomprehensiv e maimer ' Specifi c Comment s o n NPR M 1 . FA A mus t

conduc t require dth e environmenta l revie w o f th e proposal . Th e NPR M erroneousl y state s tha t th e propose dNYNS Ri s categoricall y exemp t fi:o m preparatio n o f

environmenta l documentatio n unde r th e Nationa l Environmenta l Polic y Ac t an dFA A regulation s implementin g tha t statute , FA A Orde r

1050.I E (2004) . Whil e th e NPR M correctl y quote s t o th e regulation s o f th e Counci l o n Environmenta l Quality an dparagrap h 312 f

o f Orde r 1050.IE , neithe r

tha t provisio n o f

th e FA A Orde r

no r th e base s upo n whic h th e NPR M was issue dsupport th e agency' s conclusio n that a categorica l exclusio n i s appropriat e i n thi s instance . First , an dmos t

important , th e NPR M fi-ankly disclose s that th e entir e purpos e o f

th e propose dactio n i s t o "reduc e nois e impac t o n nearb y communities. " Whil e th e Tow n ha s

' Th e stud y committee, i n whic h al l relevan t stakeholder s hav e ameaningfu l rol e an daseat a t th e tabl e i n directin g th e study , ha s preceden t i n FAA-fiinde dPart

15 0 Nois e Compatibility Programs . Unde r Part 150 , th e FA A direct s that

airport proprietor s conven e stakeholde r group s t o hel p direc t

an dscrutiniz e stud y wor k product . Sinc e mos t

noise-relate dflight

pattern s i n th e country ar e th e resul t o f Part 150-initiate defforts , thes e type s o f

stakeholder-drive n studie s ar e standar dpractice . W e urg e th e FA A t o adap t th e principle s underlyin g th e Part

15 0 proces s t o thi s effort .Comment s o f th e Tow n o f

Eas t Hampto n FA A Docke t

2010-030 2 Propose dNew Yor

k North Shor e Helicopte r

Route Pag e 4 n o squabbl e with that

purpose , th e agenc y provide s n o factual , technica l o r analyti c basi s for concludin g that

th e propose dNYNS Ractuall y fulfill s that purpose . Withou t

eve n th e mos t rudimentary nois e analysis , i t woul db e arbitrary an dcapriciou s fo r th e agenc y t o conclud e that

th e NYNS Ri n fac t

achieve s th e purpos e o f th e proposa l t o reduc e nois e impac t o n nearb y communities . I n fact , th e stud y tha t th e Tow n i s requestin g woul db e designe dfor

precisel y tha t

purpose : t o ensur e tha t

al l hehcopte r

route s servin g th e eas t en do f Lon g Islan doptimiz e th e FAA' s an dth e communities ' nois e abatemen t objectives . Withou t dat ademonstratin g that

th e FA A ha s struc k

th e appropriat e balance , th e publi c doe s not hav e th e confidenc e knowin g tha t th e NYNS R(o r

alternative s o r

additiona l routes ) wil l reduc e hehcopte r noise . Th e statemen t

i n th e NPR M that

th e proposa l i s categoricall y exclude dfi-omNEP A revie w becaus e i t

doe s no t significantl y affec t

th e huma n environmen t contradict s th e agenc y inten t

i n proposin g th e NYNSR . I f th e actio n doe s no t

significantl y affect

th e huma n environment , the n ther e woul db e n o basi s upo n whic h th e agenc y coul dconclud e that i t wil l "reduc e nois e impac t o n nearb y commimities " a s asserte di n th e NPRM . Second , th e agenc y mischaracterize s th e legal standar dfo r categorica l exclusion s imder both NEP A an dOrde r

1050 . IE . Th e FA A Order , Coimci l o n Environmenta l Quality regulation s an dal l relevan t cas e law provid e for

categorica l exclusion s fo r action s that wil l no t hav e a"significan t

effect o n th e huma n environment. " Se e 4 0 C.F.R . § 1508.4 ; Orde r 1050 . I E f

303a . Th e FAA' s hs t

o f categorica l exclusion s similarl y use s th e term "significantl y affectin g th e huma n environment. " Orde r 1050.1 E \303a . Th e NPRM , however , misquote s thi s authority whe n concludin g that th e NYNS Ri s categoricall y exclude dfiromNEP A revie w becaus e "implementatio n o f th e propose drul e i s no t expecte dt o resul t

i n significan t

advers e impact s t o th e huma n environment. " (emphasi s added) . Ther e i s n o preceden t fo r th e agenc y declinin g t o conduc t environmenta l revie w o n th e basi s o f

th e absenc e o f

significan t

advers e impacts . In fact , i t appear s tha t

th e very purpos e o f

th e NPR M i s t o produc e significan t beneficial impact s o n th e huma n environment ; i f

tha t i s true , environmenta l documentatio n i s require dt o documen t thos e benefits . Finally , th e agenc y ha s cite dth e wron g provisio n o f Orde r 1050 . I E t o justif

y it s clai mo f categorica l exclusio n fi-omenvironmenta l review . Whil e paragrap h 312 f o f Orde r 1050.I E doe s refer

t o "regulations, " paragrap h 31 1 o f that Orde r i s th e appropriat e sectio n for

procedura l action s suc h a s th e NYNSR . Fo r example , paragrap h 3 1 I h categoricall y exclude s "establishmen t o f helicopte r

route s that

channe l helicopte r

activity ove r majo r thoroughfares. " Orde r

1050.I E ]

f 3 1 Ih . Mos t

importantly , paragrap h 3 1 l i provide s acategorica l exclusio n for establishmen t

o f ne w o r revise dai r

traffi c contro l procedure s "conducte da t 3,00 0 feet

o r mor e abov e groun dlevel. " That paragrap h explain s that

th e categorica l exclusio n only applie s whe n suc h procedure s affec t ai r traffi c abov e 3,00 0 feet

abov e groun dleve l (AGL) . Ther e i s n o exclusio n i n paragrap h 31 1 that coul deve n arguabl y appl y t o th e NPR M an dsinc e that paragrap h i s th e on e that addresse s environmenta l revie w o f flight pattern actions , th e agenc y canno t reasonabl yComment s o f th e Tow n o f

Eas t Hampto n FA A Docke t

2010-030 2 Propose dNew Yor

k North Shor e Hehcopte r

Rout e Pag e 5 assert that th e NPR M i s categoricall y exclude dfi-omenvironmenta l review . Ther e i s nothin g i n FA A Order s o r FA A preceden t

that contemplate s acategorica l exclusio n fo r ai r traffi c action s that

(a ) establis h o r

revis e ai r

traffi c procedure s for

aircraf t operation s belo w 3,00 0 feet

AGL ; o r (b ) establis h o r

revis e ai r

helicopte r

route s wher e suc h route s d o not follo w majo r

thoroughfares. ^ A n unnumbere dappendi x t o Orde r 1050.IE , entitle d"Orde r 1050.I E 3,00 0 f

t AG L Categorica l Exclusio n Validatio n Study " provide s th e technica l basi s fo r th e agency' s decisio n t o exclud e fromenvironmenta l revie w thos e ai r traffi c procedure s affectin g onl y aircraf t a t that leve l an dhigher . Whil e ther e doe s exis t

acategorica l exclusio n fo r publicatio n o f

existin g ai r

traffi c contro l procedure s that

"d o no t essentiall y chang e existin g tracks , creat e ne w tracks , chang e altitude , o r

chang e concentration " o f aircraf t activity , Orde r

1050.I E t

311k , that provisio n doe s not

appl y her e sinc e th e existing , voluntary helicopte r rout e wa s neve r issue da s aformal regulatio n an dwas neve r formall y establishe da s i s propose di n th e NPRM . Se e FA A Orde r 7210.3 V § 11-6- 1 (2008 ) (emphasizin g that th e Hehcopte r Route Chart

progra mi s voluntary) . Eve n i f th e FA A coul dshoehorn th e NPR M int o a n existin g categorica l exclusio n i n Chapte r 3 o f Orde r 1050 . IE , that

chapte r als o define s so-calle dextraordinary circumstance s i n whic h normall y categoricall y exclude daction s requir e additiona l environmenta l analysis . Eve n i f th e agenc y disagree s wit h th e Town' s lega l analysi s o f th e FAA' s obUgatio n t o conduc t environmenta l review , th e Tow n urge s th e FA A t o exercis e it s discretio n unde r Orde r 1050.I E t o conduc t

meaningfii l environmenta l review . On e o f th e base s upo n whic h normall y categoricall y exclude daction s mus t b e subjecte d t o environmenta l revie w i s i f th e actio n wil l hav e a

n impac t o n "nois e level s o n noise

sensitiv e uses. " Id . t

304f . It i s noteworth y that

th e Orde r

doe s no t refe r t o a n increas e i n nois e level s but

merel y an "impact, " suggestin g that eithe r apositiv e o r

advers e impac t o n nois e level s i n nois e sensitiv e area s i s an extraordinary circumstance . Give n that th e agenc y ha s asserte dthat

th e "effect " o f

th e NPR M i s t o "reduc e noise " ove r residentia l area s o f Lon g Island , ther e can b e n o doub t tha t th e NPR M satisfie s th e provision s o f paragrap h 304f

. 2 . FA A shoul dconside r aSout h Shor e rout e a s a n alternativ e o r complemen t

t o th e Ne w Yor k

Nort h Shor e Route . Th e implicatio n o f

th e NPR M i s that

th e NYNS Rwil l resolv e issue s an dconcern s abou t nois e impact s firomhelicopte r operation s ove r

Lon g Island . I t

i s importan t

that th e FA A

^ A s further

indicatio n o f

th e inappropriatenes s o f categoricall y excludin g th e NPR M fro menvironmenta l review , Orde r

1050 . I E doe s provid e an exclusio n fo r test s o f air traffi c procedure s conducte dunde r 3,00 0 fee t AG L bu t

onl y i f th e tes t duratio n doe s no t

excee dsi x months . Id . ^ 311n . Th e NPR M doe s no t propos e ates t

o f th e NYNSR .Comment s o f th e Tow n o f

Eas t Hampto n FA A Docke t

2010-030 2 Propose dNew Yor

k North Shor e Helicopte r

Rout e Pag e 6 b e clear tha t both th e purpos e an deffec t o f th e propose dNYNS Rwoul db e fa r mor e modest . Becaus e th e agenc y ha s don e n o environmenta l review , an dapparentl y ha s conducte dn o nois e analysi s o f

eithe r th e existin g condition s o r th e effec t o f th e propos e NYNSR , ther e i s n o informatio n availabl e abou t whethe r th e proposa l wil l achiev e th e FAA' s objectiv e o f addressin g helicopte r

nois e concern s i n residentia l area s o f Lon g Island . I n particular , ther e i s n o comparativ e analysi s o f th e propose dNYNS Rwith othe r possibl e helicopte r route s o r permutation s o f

th e proposal . W e reques t

that , before issuin g afinal rule , th e FA A conven e astakeholder s grou p t o overse e athoroug h nois e analysi s (i n amanne r consisten t

with establishe dFA A precedent , usin g th e lates t FAA-approve dversio n o f th e Helicopte r

Nois e Model ) o f

th e NYNS Ralon g with th e followin g permutation s an dalternatives : 1 . Atlanti c Route . Th e analysi s shoul dcompar e th e relativ e benefit s o f th e NYNS Rwit h arout e tha t woul ddirec t

helicopte r

traffi c offshore th e south shor e o f Lon g Islan d(th e "Atlanti c Route") . Th e Atlanti c Route coul d produc e meaningfii l benefit s especiall y fo r over-lan dhelicopte r

traffi c sinc e man y o f

th e eastern Lon g Islan dorigins/destination s fo r helicopte r traffi c (includin g FOK , HTO , an dMTP ) ar e locate dclose r t o a n off-shore Atlanti c Rout e tha n t o th e propose dNYNSR . A n Atlanti c Rout e woul d minimiz e over-lan droute s an dcould , therefore , produc e greate r benefit s tha n th e NYNSR . Th e analysi s mus t conside r not onl y th e nois e impact s but , eve n mor e important , th e mandatory allocatio n o f traffi c betwee n a NYNS Ran dAtlanti c Rout e i n ligh t o f congestio n constraint s impose db y JF K termina l airspace . (Th e fac t that som e change s migh t

b e necessary for traffi c withi n JF K

termina l airspac e i s no t

avali dbasi s upo n whic h t o rejec t a n Atlanti c Route ; th e complexit y an dconsequence s o f an y necessary change s shoul db e analyze dan ddisclose dprio r t o issuanc e o f

a final rule. ) 2 . Combine dRoutes . FA A mus t als o conduc t

analysi s that

examine s a balanc e o f

traffi c betwee n th e NYNS Ran dth e Atlanti c Route . Th e analysi s mus t

includ e a

n examinatio n o f

whethe r routin g aircraf

t base d upo n thei r

eastern Lon g Islan dorigin/destinatio n an dthei r New Yor

k metropolita n are aorigin/destinatio n woul dresul t i n abette r

balanc e o f nois e impacts . Th e analysi s shoul dpropos e th e optima l balanc e amon g alternativ e route s t o achiev e th e FAA' s objectiv e o f reducin g nois e impact s o n nois e sensitiv e use s fi-omhelicopte r operations . 3 . Over-Lan dRoutes. Whil e th e propose dNYNS Rha s th e laudabl e objectiv e o f

reducin g helicopte r

nois e impacts , th e agenc y ha s faile dt o conside r th e impact s b y helicopter s departin g o r enterin g th e NYNSR .Comment s o f th e Tow n o f

Eas t Hampto n FA A Docke t

2010-030 2 Propose dNew Yor

k North Shore Helicopte r

Rout e Pag e 7 Thes e operation s woul dal l b e conducte dover-land . Th e agenc y shoul d

prescrib e mandator y route s fo r transitio n betwee n th e NYNS R(an d Atlanti c Route ) an dprincipa l origin/destinatio n airport s i n eastern Lon g Island , includin g especiall y FOK , HTO , an dMTP . Th e transitio n route s shoul db e designe dt o optimiz e overfligh t o f compatibl e lan duses . 4 . Define dEntr y an dExi t Points . Th e nois e analysi s mus t examin e whethe r definin g specifi c permissibl e entry an dexi t waypoint s fromth e NYNS R woul denhanc e th e nois e reductio n objective s o f th e NPRM . Th e NPR M doe s no t stat e whethe r

pilot s wil l b e permitte dt o exi t th e NYNS Ra

t an y poin t o f th e operator' s choic e o r whethe r onl y define dentr y an dexi t point s (base dupo n define dover-lan droutes ) wil l b e permitted . Th e nois e analysi s shoul dexamin e th e comparativ e nois e impact s o f usin g define d entry/exi t point s versu s allowin g operato r flexibility. 3 . FA A shoul dconside r alternativ e minimu maltitude s a s amean s o f reducin g helicopte r

noise . Ha dth e FA A conducte dnois e analysi s o f th e proposal , a s require db y NEP A an dFA A Orde r 1050 . IE , it

woul dhav e learne dthat

th e altitud e o f

helicopte r

traffi c i s asignifican t determinan t

o f nois e levels . Th e agency' s propose dNYNS Rretain s th e existin g voluntary rout e altitud e o f 250 0 feet

AGL . Th e proposa l doe s no t addres s minimu m altitude s for

helicopter s transitionin g fi-omth e NYNS Rt o thei r origin/destinatio n withi n eastern Lon g Island . Sinc e mos t o f th e impac t

o f helicopte r

operation s com e fromover lan droutes , i t

i s importan t

for th e agenc y t o analyz e option s for alternativ e altitudes . In particular , th e Tow n recommend s tha t th e minimu mattitud e fo r helicopter s usin g th e NYNS Rb e 300 0 feet

AG L an dthat

acomparabl e over-lan dminimu maltitud e b e establishe dunti l ahelicopte r reache s th e immediat e proximit y o f it s destination . Withou t considerin g flight

altitud e an dprofiles , an dwithou t dat ao n th e effec t

o f altitud e o n noise , th e FA A proposa l i s incomplet e an di t i s unclear

whethe r th e proposa l achieve s th e objective s o f

th e NPRM . Th e Tow n request s that n o rul e b e promulgate dunti l th e nois e impac t

o f alternativ e altitude s (both withi n th e NYNSR , alon g apropose dAtlanti c Route , an dalon g transitio n routes ) ha s bee n analyze dan dcompared . 4 . FA A shoul dmandat e waypoint s and/o r route s fo r

helicopter s enrout e an dove r lan da t th e easter n en dof

Lon g Island . Th e propose dNYNS Rwoul destablis h ahelicopte r rout e with n o waypoint s an donl y designation s a

t th e eastern (Orien t

Point ) an dwestern (WPLYD ) terminu s o f th e route . I n orde r t o b e effectiv e a

t keepin g helicopte r

traffi c ove r

non-nois e sensitiv e area s an d ove r water , th e NPR M shoul destablis h waypoint s alon g th e entirety o f th e route .Comment s o f th e Tow n o f

Eas t Hampto n FA A Docke t

2010-030 2 Propose dNew York

North Shor e HeUcopter

Route Page s Additionally , a s discusse di n othe r context s above , i n orde r t o b e effective , th e NYNS R mus t includ e transitio n route s fi-omth e principa l airpor t destination s i n eastern Lon g Island . Thes e route s shoul db e define db y precis e waypoint s a s well . Simila r waypoint s shoul db e establishe dfor

asout h shor e (Atlantic ) route . Withou t waypoint s alon g eithe r

th e offshore portio n o f

th e NYNS Ro r

alon g transitio n route s over-land , th e FA A wil l hav e littl e way t o eithe r measur e o r

enforc e complianc e with th e NYNSR . Eve n i f hehcopte r

operator s ar e vigilan t

i n attemptin g t o compl y with th e mandatory route , the y wil l b e stymie di n thei r effort s i f

th e rul e doe s no t

includ e meaningfu l waypoints . Comment s propose db y loca l nois e advisor y grou p Th e Tow n ha s requeste dthat it s Airport

Nois e Abatemen t

Advisor y Committe e (ANAAC ) provid e th e Tow n with it s feedbac k an dadvice . I n additio n t o th e comment s above , th e ANAA C offer s th e followin g additiona l comment s o n th e NPRM . 1 . That helicopter s arriving/departin g Eas t Hampto n Airport

(HTO ) o r

point s eas t

o f HT O vi ath e North Shor e rout e b e require dt o us e Plu mIslan da s awaypoint , t o procee dove r

wate r t o th e maximu mexten t

possibl e t o HT O an dt o compl y with loca l (HTO ) rule s concernin g flight path s an dminimu maltitude s whe n operatin g withi n 5 mile s o f

HTO . 2 . That th e FA A establis h similar mandatory flight

rule s fo r th e south shor e rout e an destablis h procedure s t o equaliz e th e volum e o f helicopte r

traffi c usin g th e north an dsouth shor e routes . Loca l managemen t (HTO ) o f

hehcopte r

traffi c shoul db e enhanced . 3 . That th e minimu maltitud e b e increase dt o 250 0 feet t o 300 0 feet . Th e Airport

Nois e Abatemen t

Advisory Committe e als o strongl y recommend s that th e FA A t o wor

k establis h procedures , i n cooperatio n with local airports , t o monito r an d enforc e complianc e with th e propose drule(s ) onc e finalized. Conclusion s Th e Tow n o f

Eas t Hampto n congratulate s th e FA A o n it s effort s t o addres s nois e impact s fro mhelicopte r

operation s ove r

eastern Lon g Island . Th e Tow n als o applaud s Senato r Schumer , Congressma n Bishop an dformer Senato r Clinto n for

thei r perseveranc e i n workin g with th e FA A t o focu s o n thi s long-festerin g issue . Th e Tow n fiirther appreciate s that

th e NPR M represent s th e first step , no t th e en do f

apubli c dialogu e o n ho w bes t t o reduc e th e impact s o f

helicopte r

overflight s an dnois e i n th e eas t en do f Lon g Island . I n particular , th e Tow n recognize s that i t i s highl y unusua l for

th e FA A t o b e willin g t o promulgat e aPart 9 3 rul e t o addres s helicopte r flight pattern s an dappreciate sComment s o f th e Tow n o f

Eas t Hampto n FA A Docke t

2010-030 2 Propose dNew Yor

k North Shor e Hehcopte r

Rout e Pag e 9 th e agency' s demonstrate dwillingnes s t o impos e mandator y route s for helicopte r

traffi c i n th e region . Notwithstandin g th e Town' s recognitio n o f th e importanc e o f

thi s first step , th e Tow n believe s that

th e NPR M can b e significantl y improve di n several materia l respects . Sinc e th e agenc y ha s faile dt o conduc t eithe r nois e analysi s o r

a n alternative s analysi s (bot h o f whic h ar e require dunde r applicabl e FA A regulations) , neithe r th e Tow n no r

th e publi c can determin e whethe r th e NYNS Rwil l achiev e th e agency' s laudabl e objectives . Th e Tow n request s tha t

th e agenc y prepar e ameaningfu l environmenta l impac t analysi s befor e reissuin g th e NPRM . Finally , th e Tow n request s that th e FA A conven e an dfimd astakeholde r grou p t o overse e astud y designe dt o optimiz e th e nois e reductio n objective s that are se t fort h i n th e preambl e t o th e NPRM . That stud y shoul db e consisten t with th e scop e se t

fort h i n Sectio n 81 8 o f

th e pendin g FA A Reauthorizatio n legislation . I n orde r t o ensur e th e credibility o f

suc h astudy , th e stud y mus t includ e th e formal participatio n o f a stakeholde r

group , consistin g o f

th e municipalitie s an dairpor t proprietor s i n eastern Lon g Islan dan doperato r

group s wh o are mos t

potentiall y affecte db y propose dhelicopte r routes . Fo r further informatio n abou t

thi s submission , pleas e contac t Ji mBrundige , Airport Manager , Eas t

Hampto n Airport . Respectfiill y Submitted , Jun e 25 , 201 0

Tow T Superviso r Tow n o f Eas t Hampto n