Feds plan may mean more jet noise for LI

An attempt to block a federal plan to reconfigure jet paths over New York, Newark and Philadelphia -- which would reduce flight delays but also increase noise for some Long Islanders -- failed in the House on Thursday.

Rep. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.) proposed an amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill to hold off on the airspace redesign pending a study and consultation with communities affected by noise from new flight paths.

But the House rejected it in a 303-120 vote.

FAA data indicates the new flight plan would not greatly affect most of Long Island, though there would be a noticeable increase in noise from jets using Kennedy Airport in some parts of the Town of North Hempstead, Newsday has reported.

The biggest impact would be on New Jersey around the Newark Airport, the FAA has said.

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola), who voted for the amendment delaying the flight redesign, vowed to continue her fight "to keep airplane noise out of Nassau County."

She said, "Routing westbound flights from JFK over Nassau County would be a noisy, disruptive burden to the residents there and makes about as much sense as driving through Connecticut to get to New Jersey."

But McCarthy was the sole Long Island vote for the amendment -- the other four representatives voted against it.