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Ocean Routing

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Ocean Routing

NJCAAN has solutions to the Garden State air noise controversy. NJCAAN airspace plans use industrial areas, ocean airspace, higher altitudes and other procedures for noise abatement. These plans will bring significant relief to over one million citizens affected by aircraft noise from Newark Airport as well as Bergen and Passaic County residents affected by LaGuardia, and Monmouth and Ocean County residents affected by JFK. Called the Ocean Route proposal, it was successfully live-tested in 1994 and proven to be safe and environmentally effective. Unfortunately from the outset, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Port Authority of NY and NJ (PA) have actively subverted air noise relief progress.

In February '99, federal legislation is introduced mandating a six-month live test of Ocean Routing (H.R. 620).

In March '99, following a year of investigation, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, a neutral scientific academic body, publicly endorses ocean routing as one of six "interim action" items to achieve airport noise relief.

In November '99, Governor Whitman writes FAA Adminstrator Garvey requesting live testing of the first segment of the Ocean Route Plan.

During '99 and 2000, a "tidal wave" of endorsements follows. It includes members of the New Jersey Delegation, the State Legislature, County Freeholder Boards, and local municipalities.

Despite this extraordinary widespread support for Ocean Routing and a pledge by FAA Administrator Garvey that noise relief will be a focus of the metropolitan airport redesign, in 2001, Eastern Region FAA publicly proclaims the redesign will spread aircraft routes and its concomitant noise over the Garden State.

In its effort to promote airline industry redesign goals, the FAA blatantly dismisses Administrator Garvey's pledge to the citizens of New Jersey. It accomplishes this end by omitting aircraft noise reduction as a scoping purpose, listing only increased capacity and reduced delays as its primary intent. Background: The airlines oppose ocean routing because of the added cost associated with the extra miles required to implement this "good neighbor" route design. (NOTE: cost averages a dollar a ticket).

During the Draft EIS response period in 2001, NJCAAN advocates a unified position from all elected officials. Critical components of the response include substantial noise reduction as a primary goal, implementing Ocean Routing, and use of a variety of noise metrics to determine noise impact. Record widespread support is summarized under "Closing Date for the Environmental Impact Scoping Comments to the FAA on the Metropolitan Airspace Redesign". In March '02, the FAA releases its scoping results report. Airport noise is the overwhelming concern of all respondents -- from public office holders to citizens. Over 90% of New Jersey's elected officials endorse Ocean Routing in their scoping comment. Unfortunately, NOISE REDUCTION and OCEAN ROUTING remain a FAA postscript.

At the close of 2001, the FAA abruptly announces a major routing change. The Yardley/Robbinsville FLIP FLOP exchanges Newark and LaGuardia arrival routes and goes into effect some three weeks following the FAA's notice to the public. In the early weeks of 2002, an investigation is initiated to determine if the FAA has complied with proper legal procedures in implementing this route change outside of the ongoing redesign EIS. Freedom of Information Act requests are issued by counsel.

NJCAAN reports the FAA FALSIFIED THE PUBLIC RECORD in order to conclude an environmental assessment could be avoided. This falsification provides cover to the FAA to hide the Flip-Flop from the citizens and elected representatives of New Jersey. In June '02, Senator Torricelli and Representative Ferguson publicly release their joint letter to the Department of Transportation Inspector General (DOT IG) requesting an investigation to determine if the FAA failed to follow legally required environmental guidelines in revising arrival air routes over New Jersey.

Two weeks following the DOTIG investigation request announcement, metro news media report new FAA instituted LaGuardia southbound ocean routes, implemented to increase airspace efficiency.

Momentum for Ocean Routing is Building:
Our Supporters to Date (1998-2002)


2002

7/17

State Senator Bagger and Assemblymen Kean and Gusciora write EPA Administrator Whitman requesting a special EPA Noise Monitor be assigned to the metro airspace redesign to safeguard New Jersey's interests.

7/15

Senate Candidate Forrester (R.) endorses a live 6-month test of ocean routing and NJCAAN's three major metro airspace redesign objectives.

6/26

State Commissioner of Transportation Fox forwards Governor McGreevey's June 10th letter (to FAA Administrator Garvey) to Secretary of Transportation Mineta, FAA Eastern Region Administrator Feldman, and FAA Eastern Region Air Space Manager Hatfield. In his cover letter, Commissioner Fox reiterates "aircraft noise reduction should be a primary objective of the FAA redesign."

6/20

Congressional Candidate Sumers (D. Dist 5) endorses a live 6-month test of ocean routing and NJCAAN's three major metro airspace redesign objectives.

6/19

Representative Frelinghuysen writes FAA Administrator Garvey asking why "reduction of air noise is not listed as a redesign goal?"

6/20

Assembly Resolution # 128 passes. It directs the FAA to include noise reduction as major goal of New Jersey's metro redesign.

6/14

Senator Torricelli and Representative Ferguson in a joint letter to the Department of Transportation Inspector General request he investigate the FAA's compliance with its own Preliminary Environmental Review Checklist.

6/10

Governor McGreevey writes FAA Administrator Garvey stating "that the FAA's ongoing Environmental Impact Statement must include noise reduction as a top priority. Furthermore, the FAA review should include a thorough evaluation of ocean routing possibilities as part of this EIS."

6/7

Congressional Candidate Carden (D. Dist 7) endorses a live 6-month test of ocean routing and NJCAAN's three major metro airspace redesign objectives.

5/30

Assembly Transportation Chairman Wisniewski and Senate Deputy Whip Bagger introduce identical resolutions (A.R. 128 and S.R. 71) memorializing the President and Congress direct the FAA to include noise reduction as a major goal of New Jersey's redesign.

5/24

Representative Holt writes Administrator Garvey objecting to the absence of public notification related to the December 2001 arrival route changes known as the 'flip flop.'

5/10

A concurrent resolution is filed in the state legislature. It urges the President and Congress to use their authority to have the FAA substantially reduce noise in the redesign. Senator Bagger sponsors SCR #56 and Assemblymen Kean and Gusciora sponsor ACR #104.

4/12

Representative Holt sponsors a letter to DOT Secretary Mineta requesting on a response to the Delegations' united EIS comment supporting noise reduction as a major redesign goal. This bicameral letter is cosigned by Senators Torricelli and Corzine and Representatives Roukema, Andrews, Pallone, Frelinghuysen, Pascrell, Rothman and Ferguson.

3/12

Representative Ferguson writes DOT Secretary Mineta reiterating requests from a January 16th letter which objects to various issues of FAA redesign conduct.

2/25

Senator Torricelli and Representative Frelinghuysen write DOT Secretary Mineta requesting a Delegation presentation of the FAA's model of Ocean Routing.


2001

8/29

Governor-elect Jim McGreevey pledges "to use the full resources of the state to ensure that the curent airspace redesign results in significant aircraft noise relief for New Jersey."

6/26

Closing Date for the Environmental Impact Scoping (EIS) Comments to the FAA on the Metropolitan Airspace Redesign. Support comments include three points:

  1. FAA is to state noise reduction as one of the primary redesign goals.
  2. Ocean Routing must be considered as an alternative in the EIS.
  3. A variety of noise metrics should be used to evaluate impact.

  • Senator Torricelli writes a compelling delegation letter citing NJCAAN's three comment period objectives. Senator Corzine, Representatives Roukema, Andrews, Frelinghuysen, Pascrell, Rothman, Holt and Ferguson cite NJCAAN's three comment objectives in their response.
  • Acting Governor DiFrancesco submits the state's comment reaffirming his long-standing support for ocean routing.
  • McGreevey, Schundler, Franks, and Schluter -- the four 2001 gubernatorial candidates -- submit their comments citing NJCAAN's three comment period objectives.
  • Thirty six state legislative comment letters support NJCAAN's position. The legislative districts represent communities in Bergen, Essex, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, and Union.
  • The Essex County President, the Bergen and Union County Chairmen, the Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, and Somerset County Directors and the Bergen and Essex County Executives submit their comments citing NJCAAN's three comment objectives.
  • Numerous municipalities submit supporting comments.
  • During the Spring of 2001, NJCAAN contacts its over 7000 household members providing them with an addressed postcard and encouragement to send in their individual comments to the FAA.


2000

11/29

Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, by resolution, unanimously endorses Runway 22 live testing of Ocean Routing.

10/24

Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders, by resolution, unanimously endorses live testing of Ocean Routing.

8/8

Hunterdon County Board of Chosen Freeholders, by resolution, unanimously endorses live testing of Ocean Routing.

7/17

Representative Pascrell writes Garvey requesting the FAA immediately model and live test Ocean Routing.

6/21

Senator Torricelli writes Garvey requesting the FAA immediately model and live test Ocean Routing.

5/18

Representatives Holt, Roukema, Franks, Frelinghuysen, and Rothman write Garvey regarding the FAA's intent to live test Ocean Routing at Miami International Airport. The Delegation members state, "If ocean routing is good for Florida, why isn't it good for New Jersey."

4/19

Representative Rothman writes Garvey endorsing live testing of Runway 22 Ocean Routing.

3/20

Candidate Mike Ferguson endorses HR 620 and writes Garvey endorsing Governor Whitman's live test proposal. Currently, a Member of the House of Representatives, District 7 (2001).

3/17

Union County League of Municipalities President Jardim representing 21 communities writes Garvey endorsing Governor Whitman's live test proposal.

3/14

Middlesex County Director Crabiel writes Garvey endorsing Ocean Routing.

3/6

Representative Pascrell writes Garvey requesting modeling of Runway 22 Ocean Routing.

2/24

Essex County Executive Treffinger writes Clinton endorsing live testing of Ocean Routing.

2/23

Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, by resolution, unanimously endorse live testing of Ocean Routing.

2/22

Morris County Director Cabana writes Garvey endorsing Governor Whitman's live test proposal.

2/10

Senate President DiFrancesco (acting Governor 2001) in a delegation letter from legislative districts 16, 18, and 22 endorses Governor Whitman's live test proposal.

2/2

Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders write Garvey unanimously endorsing Governor Whitman's live test proposal.

1/28

Representatives Roukema, Franks, Frelinghuysen, and Holt write Garvey endorsing Governor Whitman's live test proposal.

1/10

Bergen County Executive Schuber writes Garvey endorsing live testing of ocean routing.


1999

12/6

Mayor McGreevey (Governor 2002) writes Garvey endorsing Governor Whitman's live test proposal.

11/10

Governor Whitman recommends to FAA Administrator Garvey to test a portion of the Ocean Routing plan.

10/13

Essex County Executive Treffinger endorses HR 620.

10/6

Senator Torricelli inserts language into the FAA reauthorization bill that instructs Garvey to ensure that Ocean Routing is fairly considered in the redesign of metro-airspace.

9/29

Candidate Jon Corzine endorses a live six-month test of Ocean Routing for Runway 22. Currently, a Member of the U.S. Senate (2001).

8/10

Governor Whitman commends her NJIT Report to the FAA. She states, "Ocean Routing should be given serious consideration."

3/29

New Jersey Institute of Technology Report endorses Ocean Routing for interim noise relief.

2/23

Representative Holt cosponsors HR 620.

2/8

Representative Franks introduces HR 620, a live six-month test Ocean Routing Bill. Reps. Roukema and Frelinghuysen are original sponsors.


1998

11/30

Mayor McGreevey (Governor 2002) endorses a live six-month test of Ocean Routing.

11/2

Senate President DiFrancesco (Acting Governor 2001) endorses a live six-month test of Ocean Routing.

10/5

Senators Lautenberg and Torricelli with Representatives Rothman, Pascrell, and Pallone endorse Ocean Routing for Runway 22.

9/11

Representative Pallone supports Ocean Routing for all metro airports.

9/6

Candidate Rush Holt (Dist. 12) endorses a live six-month test of Ocean Routing. Reelected to a second term in the House of Representatives (2001).

7/17

Dean of the Delegation Roukema asks Garvey to do a live six-month test of Ocean Routing. Representatives Frelinghuysen and Franks co-sign.