The New Canaan Environmental Group holds a Clear Skies & Clean Energy Rally on the steps of Town Hall on Wednesday, August 29th

Residents and politicians gather yesterday for a rally at New Canaan Town Hall about the Federal Aviation Administration’s plan that increases air traffic over Fairfield County. U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Bridgeport, right, was joined by state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal.
(Paul Desmarais/Staff photo)

Stamford Advocate Thursday, August 30, 2007

Leaders fight FAA flight paths

By Monica Potts
Staff Writer

NEW CANAAN - Addressing about 40 people at a rally on the steps of Town Hall, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said environmental impact reports for a federal proposal that would increase air traffic over Fairfield County lacked important data and that the public commentary period had been inadequate.

He said the state was investigating challenges to the plan.

"We have to stand as a state to seek enforcement of laws and hold the federal government accountable," Blumenthal said.

The New Canaan Environmental Group organized the rally, which also was intended to promote use of clean energy.

The proposal, which the Federal Aviation Administration expects to adopt next month, includes shifting a holding pattern for the Westchester County Airport and arrival paths for La Guardia Airport east from current paths over Westchester County and the Hudson River.

Residents have expressed concerns about an increase in noise and air pollution as well as safety concerns about low-flying planes.

"The decibel increases for the town of Darien aren't statistically significant according to the FAA," said Evonne Klein, first selectwoman for Darien. "But they are significant to the residents of Darien."

U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Bridgeport, told rally participants that his request for the FAA to hold additional public hearings on the plan was rejected.

"What I find totally unacceptable is their unwillingness to listen to people who are negatively impacted," he said.

Opponents of the plan said legal challenges to the FAA's assessments may be their last recourse. A bill co-sponsored by Shays that would have cut funding for the redesign project until the agency addressed quality-of-life concerns was rejected last month.

Shays cautioned that the courts would not support an alternate plan that shifted the problem to another community, particularly if poorer communities ended up paying the price.

Shays said he usually flies out of La Guardia, and that he frequently experiences delays there. He said he tries to travel by alternate methods and that flying constitutes about one-fifth of his travel.

Some community members said they are looking into alternatives to air travel.

Richard Stowe, the president of New Canaan Environmental Group said the United States needs to consider more sustainable transportation methods, and that the most feasible solution was an improved and expanded rail system across the country.

He said he traveled to Detroit by Amtrak train and bus to attend Rosa Parks' funeral, and that his trip revealed the inconveniences of traveling on the country's aging rail system.

"It's a long haul," Stowe said. "The travel time is just not realistic to the pace that our country is accustomed to."