The Honorable Jane Garvey
Administrator
Federal Aviation Administration
AOA-1, Room 1009
800 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20591

Dear Administrator Garvey:

Given New Jersey's location between two of the largest Metropolitan Areas, and four of the busiest airports in the United States, aircraft noise is a primary concern for the citizens of New Jersey.

While I fully support the FAA's initiative to redesign the New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania airspace, I am afraid that these efforts are moving ahead without proper consideration being given to meaningful noise reduction for New Jersey citizens. I have grave concerns as to the impacts, current and future, on the quality of life for New Jersey's citizens.

This concern is exacerbated by unannounced actions like the recent "flip-flop" of Newark and LaGuardia air traffic that occurred without sufficient notice or the opportunity for New Jersey citizens to appropriately voice their opinion.

As Governor of New Jersey, I wish to reiterate my position, already expressed by my Commissioner of Transportation and a significant number of our Congressional Delegation, 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.

I understand that Commissioner Fox has appointed Mr. Ted Matthews, Executive Director of Aeronautics and Freight Systems, as his liason to the FAA. Please be assured that I support this action and that Mr. Pat Brannigan of my office is available if necessary to provide additional assistance.

I look forward to hearing from you and to working with you to create a final airspace system that creates improvements in capacity and efficiency, and one that addresses the quality of life concerns of New Jersey citizens.

Sincerely,


Governor James E. McGreevey