Res. No. 989 Title Resolution calling upon the Council of the City of New York to call on the Federal Aviation Administration to freeze the development of the Westchester County Airport at its current capacity and weight limitation of planes and site footprint, and that such freeze on development should also include a limitation on the number of flights, hangars, gates and number of parking spaces at current levels in order that we may protect our fragile environment from the noise, air and water pollution that any such expansion would generate, and that the Clerk of the Council of the City of New York shall herewith forward the text of this resolution to the Federal Aviation Administration and New York City's Federal and State delegation and stakeholders and all other pertinent parties so that the intent of the Council of the City of New York may be widely known. Body By Council Members Koppell, Gerson, McMahon, Vann and Gennaro Whereas, Westchester County Airport is located in the densely populated corridor where Rye Brook, Harrison, Mount Pleasant, North Castle and White Plains meet, and such corridor is the home not only of a significant residential population, but is heavily populated by corporate offices, schools and universities, hotels, conference centers and other heavily-utilized facilities; and Whereas, The Kensico Reservoir serves as a terminal reservoir whereby water is not only drawn directly into the drinking water distribution system, but the reservoir also serves as the final stop for 90% of New York City's drinking water supply prior to entering the water tunnels which are directly connected to consumers' taps; and Whereas, New York City currently has one of the best water supply systems in the world; and Whereas, Westchester County Airport is located only 250 yards from the Kensico Reservoir, an irreplaceable drinking water resource; and Whereas, A portion of the Westchester County Airport drains toward the Kensico Reservoir; and Whereas, The National Academy of Sciences, the Natural Resources Defense Council, United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the Attorney General for the State of New York cite Westchester County Airport as one of the most serious threats to water quality in the Kensico reservoir; and Whereas, Polluted water runoff from the airport deicing operations creates serious environmental threats to the Kensico Reservoir; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the Federal Aviation Administration to freeze the development of the Westchester County Airport at its current capacity and weight limitation of planes and site footprint, and that such freeze on development should also include a limitation on the number of flights, hangars, gates and number of parking spaces at current levels in order that we may protect our fragile environment from the noise, air and water pollution that any such expansion would generate, and that the Clerk of the Council of the City of New York shall herewith forward the text of this resolution to the Federal Aviation Administration and New York City's Federal and State delegation and stakeholders and all other pertinent parties so that the intent of the Council of the City of New York may be widely known. RC 8-14-03 LS # 2926 |1013|