Speaker Adams Outlines Stormwater and Helicopter Noise Legislation

Next, we will vote on legislation aimed at increasing capacity of the city's stormwater system.

Resolution 144A, sponsored by Councilmember Julie Menon, calls on the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation to remove restrictive barriers and uncapped funds New York City can receive for water infrastructure upgrades.

Thank you to our staff member Andrew Bourne.

Resolution 8, sponsored by Councilmember Jim Gennaro, calls on the New York State Department of Health and New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation to fairly allocate grants and loans for lead service line replacement approved in the federal bipartisan infrastructure law and to remove all rules preventing New York City from receiving a fair share of this funding.

Thank you to our staff members, Ricky Chola and Natasha Bynum.

Introduction 115A, also sponsored by Councilmember Gennaro, would require DEP to develop a plan to increase the capacity of the stormwater system to convey rainfall.

Additionally DEP would be required to display the status of the comprehensive stormwater plan and of all recommended projects and policies recommended on an online dashboard.

Thank you, staff members Andrew Bourne and Sierra Townsend.

Next, we'll vote on a package of legislation to regulate non-essential helicopter flights with the goal of mitigating noise pollution and its impacts on health and quality of life.

During the past five years, there's been a 2,329% increase in noise complaints related to helicopters, as well as recent helicopter-related incidents earlier this month.

We lost Sean Johnson when the helicopter he was piloting crashed into the Hudson River, resulting in his death and the loss of a family of five.

Resolution 233A, sponsored by Councilmember Gail Brewer, calls on the Federation Federal Aviation Administration to ban all non-essential helicopter travel, including tourist and chartered helicopter flights over New York City.

Resolution 226A, sponsored by Councilmember Gail Brewer, calls on the New York State Legislature to pass and the governor to sign A.6311, S.7381, which would prohibit certain non-essential flight operations at municipal heliports and Hudson River Park.

Resolution 85A, sponsored by Councilmember Gennaro, calls on the New York State Legislature to pass and the governor to sign.

A.5891, S.1140, which would establish a noise tax on non-essential helicopter and seaplane flights in cities with a population of one million or more.

Thank you to our staff member William Hongak.

And introduction 26A, sponsored by Majority Leader Amanda Farrias, would prohibit helicopters that do not meet the most stringent FAA noise standards from operating for non-essential purposes out of the East 34th Street Heliport and the downtown Manhattan Wall Street Heliport beginning at the end of 2029.

Additionally, the bill would require EDC to report on the percentage of flights at these two heliports that do not currently meet the noise standards that will be enforced in 2029.

Thank you to our staff members, Rachel Cordero, William Hongak, David Seitzer, and Alex Puladoff.