Nassau town supervisors threaten legal action against the FAA in effort to reduce jet engine noise over residential neighborhoods

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Two Nassau town supervisors are calling on federal officials to find a solution to decades of noise and air pollution from jet engines over residential neighborhoods. Supervisors from Hempstead and North Hempstead announced a petition calling on the FAA to conduct a mandatory environmental review of noise and air pollution along a flight path that runs through both towns. It's something they say is nearly a decade overdue. "That's all we are asking for, follow the law. Follow the restrictions,” said Jen DeSena, North Hempstead Town Supervisor. “The FAA has got to follow its own restrictions. This is a question of health and safety." Residents and elected leaders say the flights have been increasing over the years. "Every 90 seconds, they get to hear the jets cranking them up or cranking it down for landing or takeoff,” said Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin. “Enough is enough." Floral Park residents say a decades-long problem shows no signs of letting up. "You hear the constant rumble of the engines and it's continuous,” said Joe DiSanza, of Floral Park. “And it's every two minutes." The noises caused by planes flying only a few thousand feet above residential neighborhoods like Floral Park shakes homes and even wakes up residents. "I can read the bottom of the airplane. I know they're all going to JFK," said Laura Hagan, of Floral Park. "Why does it have to go over where people are living?" Residents say it’s past time for the FAA to act. "The FAA has to do something. This has been ignored for years," said Mary Griffin, of Floral Park. “We're not that close to an airport. We're a good 15 to 20 minutes out. And it seems like these two townships of Hempstead and North Hempstead are just getting hammered." Neighbors just hope something gets done. "Reroute them over a body of water or over parks where there aren't as many residents," said Stephan Pickman, of Floral Park Town supervisors say if the FAA does not respond to their petition within 90 days, they will file a lawsuit. "