File #: Res 0234-2024    Version: * Name: Safe and Quiet Skies Act of 2021 (H.R. 389)
Type: Resolution Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Governmental Operations, State & Federal Legislation
On agenda: 3/7/2024
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling on the United States Congress to pass, and the president to sign, H.R. 389, known as the Safe and Quiet Skies Act of 2021.
Sponsors: Gale A. Brewer, Shahana K. Hanif, Crystal Hudson, Rita C. Joseph, Alexa Avilés
Council Member Sponsors: 5
Attachments: 1. Res. No. 234, 2. March 7, 2024 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 3. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 3-7-24, 4. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - March 7, 2024

Res. No. 234

 

Resolution calling on the United States Congress to pass, and the president to sign, H.R. 389, known as the Safe and Quiet Skies Act of 2021.

 

By Council Members Brewer, Hanif, Hudson, Joseph and Avilés

Whereas, New York City, one of the most densely populated areas in the world, experiences hundreds of daily commercial helicopter flights; and

Whereas, Helicopter-related noise complaints to New York City’s 3-1-1 increased from 10,359 in 2020 to 25,821 in 2021 and 7,654 complaints from January through April 2022, with a vast majority of the complaints coming from Manhattan; and

Whereas, During the past 5-years, 3-1-1 has experienced a 2,329% increase in noise complaints related to helicopters; and

Whereas, According to the Federal Aviation Administration, not only do commercial helicopter tours create incessant noise pollution but they can also create health effects, such as hearing loss, stress, and memory impairments; and 

Whereas, H.R. 389, also known as the Safe and Quiet Skies Act of 2021, was introduced during the 117th Congress by United States Congressman Ed Case, to better regulate commercial air tour flights; and

Whereas, The Safe and Quiet Skies Act of 2021 seeks to limit the scope of commercial helicopter tour flights in certain areas; and

Whereas, The Safe and Quiet Skies Act of 2021 would prohibit tour flights within a half mile of military installations, national cemeteries, national wilderness areas, national parks, and national wildlife refuges; and

Whereas, Specifically relating to New York City, the Safe and Quiet Skies Act of 2021 would prohibit tour flights from: (i) operating at an altitude of less than 1,500 feet; (ii) require tour flights over residentials, commercial, and recreational areas to be no louder than 55 decibels; and (iii) permit states and localities to impose additional requirements that are stricter than the minimum federal requirements; and

Whereas, The Safe and Quiet Skies Act of 2021 would help reduce air and noise pollution that affect the millions of residents in our great City; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the United States Congress to pass, and the president to sign, H.R. 389, known as the Safe and Quiet Skies Act of 2021.

 

 

 

 

LS #8388

01/17/2024

 

Session 12

WJH

LS 8388

6/9/22