[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 52 (Thursday, April 15, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   AIRSPACE REDESIGN ENHANCEMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 15, 1999

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
Airspace Redesign Enhancement Act. This bill would require the Federal 
Aviation Administration to speed up the process of redesigning the 
airspace over the New Jersey and New York Metropolitan area.
  For over a decade, residents in my district and countless other areas 
of New Jersey and New York have been plagued by the problem of aircraft 
noise. According to the FAA, redesign of the airspace will solve many 
of the region's air noise problems.
  The airspace over our region--Newark, Kennedy, and LaGuardia 
airports, along with a host of smaller municipal and regional 
airports--has made this area the busiest, most congested and most 
complex in the Nation. These three major airports have over 1 million 
flight arrivals and departures a year. Further, the high volume of 
flights is further complicated by the fact that these three airports 
share airspace. When Newark changes departure and arrival patterns, 
adjustments must be made at Kennedy and LaGuardia airports as well.
  Last July, the FAA announced at Newark Airport that it would begin 
the process of redesigning the airspace over the New Jersey and New 
York Metropolitan Region. This was to be the first area in the country 
addressed by the FAA, and the results could be applied to other regions 
during future airspace redesign processes.
  So why the delays? Since last July, no real action has been taken. 
The 5-year timetable has fallen behind, and residents in my district 
face a long wait before any potential relief from constant aircraft 
noise.
  Mr. Speaker, 5 years is too long. These families should not be forced 
to wait 5 years before these planes stop flying, low and loud, over 
their homes and yards. I have heard too many stories from too many 
families who cannot have conversations in their homes when these planes 
fly overhead.
  Enough is enough. The Airspace Redesign Enhancement Act would give 
the FAA 2 years to complete the airspace redesign process, and would 
give them the money they need to do so. By speeding up the process of 
redesigning the airspace over the New Jersey and New York Metropolitan 
region, other areas of the country will have their airspace redesigned 
much quicker as well. New Jersey is not the only region to suffer from 
aircraft noise. This bill can help residents near Chicago's O'Hare 
Airport, Reagan National Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, 
Denver International Airport, and other airports across the country.
  The FAA has offered too many excuses for not getting this job done. 
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Airspace Redesign 
Enhancement Act so that this process will not stretch out far into the 
21st Century.

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