Ridgefield Press
AIR NOISE: Marconi asks Legislature to join fight

Feb 27, 2008

Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi had called on the state legislature to join the fight the Federal Aviation Administration.
 
Mr. Marconi, speaking this week before the Transportation Committee of the General Assembly, urged approval of a resolution calling on the FAA to halt its controversial plan to send sharply increased airline traffic over Fairfield and Westchester counties.
 
Speaking on behalf of residents of Ridgefield, Mr. Marconi said the FAA’s airspace plan would increase noise and air pollution, as well as increase the potential for airline accidents in the region — all because of the sharp increase in lower-flying airliners.
 
“The FAA plan will introduce undeniable consequences in our community.  Noise reverberations will change forever the peace and tranquility of all our area communities,” said Mr. Marconi.  “For these reasons and many more I urge the Transportation Committee and the full Legislature to become advocates for our citizens and pursue an aggressive posture on this issue.”
 
The FAA says it is implementing the plan to ease air traffic congestion at New York area airports.  However, Mr. Marconi said that those who have reviewed the FAA’s plan in depth can see that it does not address the most important causes of flight delays in the Greater New York area.  The real problem, he said, is over-scheduling of flights and inadequate capacity at the airports themselves, especially a lack of sufficient runways capable of accommodating operations during foul weather.
 
“Congress’s decision to direct the Government Accounting Office to analyze the airspace redesign project, coupled with the FAA’s caps on flights into both Newark and Kennedy airports, plus the FAA’s announcement of congestion pricing at New York airports, all demonstrate the need for the FAA to rethink its improper airspace plan,” Mr. Marconi said.
 
“Governor Rell and Attorney General Blumenthal have both opposed this ill-conceived project.  Our organization, the Alliance, has taken the lead and risen to this challenge,” Marconi said.  “If we are to be successful in protecting our great State from the many negative consequences from this poorly researched plan, then we need all of the support we can get.”


© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers