FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2021
Contact: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
212-435-7777
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PORT AUTHORITY TO HOST PUBLIC HEARINGS, WORKSHOPS AS PART OF ONGOING NOISE COMPATIBILITY STUDY AT AGENCY AIRPORTS
Hearings Set to Begin September 29 for JFK, Followed by Teterboro, September 30; LGA, October 5, and Newark Liberty, October 7; Public Comment Period Ends October 15
Agency Continues to Work Closely with Community Leaders and Surrounding Neighborhoods on Actionable Solutions
Draft Noise Compatibility Reports for Each Airport Are Now Available for Public Review
The Port Authority will host a series of virtual public information workshops and hearings as part of the agency’s Airport Noise Compatibility Planning (Part 150 Study), designed to guide planning for noise compatibility while helping airport operators prepare to minimize noise impacts on the airports and the local communities.
The hearings follow the release of the Port Authority’s Draft Noise Compatibility Program (NCP) Report, which is now available for review and comment and provides recommendations for future operational, land use, and programmatic measures to reduce aircraft noise impacts on surrounding areas. The Draft NCP Report is available for download for each airport -- (JFK), (TEB), (LGA) and (EWR).
The hearings involving Port Authority airports will be held on the following dates:
- John F Kennedy Airport (JFK): September 29
- Teterboro Airport (TEB): September 30
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA): October 5
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR): October 7
The NCP report is the second, more comprehensive phase in the agency’s effort to mitigate noise in surrounding communities. The first phase involved the development of noise exposure maps at JFK, LaGuardia and Teterboro in 2017 and for Newark Liberty in 2019. The Port Authority established a Noise Office in 2014 to work with all stakeholders on mitigation planning, has hosted regular community roundtables and doubled the number of noise monitors to collect flight path data at the four airports as part of that effort.
“We have voluntarily undertaken these comprehensive studies to evaluate airport noise levels and to propose and analyze ways to mitigate noise concerns raised by our airport neighbors,” said Port Authority Aviation Director Huntley A. Lawrence. “Recognizing that collaboration must be a fundamental part of this process, we’ve actively encouraged public input by working with residents, elected officials, industry partners and the Federal Aviation Administration through our Noise Office, airport roundtables and the four upcoming workshops. We’re confident that this approach will enable us to best meet our objectives.”
Comments may be provided now or at the virtual public hearing for each respective airport (link here for details). Responses via social media posts will not be made part of the official public record. Information and flyers are also available on each individual airport page (link here). For those wishing to participate and who do not have internet access or require interpretation services, arrangements can be made by calling the Port Authority Noise Office at (212) 435-3880.
The Draft NCPs were posted on the agency’s website on September 1, kicking off a public comment period that day that concludes on October 15. After October 15, the Port Authority will review written and oral comments, provide responses, and include the comments in the Final NCP submission to the FAA no later than the first quarter of 2022.
Upon receipt, the FAA begins a review period of up to 180 days. The FAA will issue a determination for each of the proposed measures identified in the Final NCP and a Record of Approvals is expected to be issued no later than the fourth quarter of 2022. The Final NCP will be posted on the Port Authority’s website once the Record of Approvals has been received by the agency.
The Port Authority has contracted for assistance with the program with expert consultants who have extensive experience conducting Part 150 studies, which are undertaken in accordance with provisions and methods outlined in Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 150 (14 CFR Part 150).