Res. No. 389

Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to amend the Hudson River Park Trust Act by banning non-essential use of its heliport.

By Council Members Brewer, Yeger, Hanif, Restler, Hudson, Joseph, Avilés, De La Rosa and Rivera

Whereas, In 1998, the New York State legislature passed and then-Governor Pataki signed the Hudson River Park Act (“HRPA”), which formally designated parkland along the City’s westside; and

Whereas, Hudson River Park is a 550-acre riverfront park and estuarine sanctuary spanning four miles along the west side of Manhattan, from the northern boundary of Battery Park City in Tribeca to W 59 St. in Hell’s Kitchen; and

Whereas, Hudson River Park attracts over 17 million visits annually and offers numerous athletic and recreational activities including baseball, basketball, running, cycling and kayaking; and

Whereas, In addition to the creation of Hudson River Park, HRPA established a New York State public benefit corporation called the Hudson River Park Trust to continue the planning, construction, management and operation of the park; and

Whereas, Among Hudson River Park’s management responsibilities is the operation of the frequently trafficked West 30^th Street heliport; and

Whereas, Helicopter-related noise complaints to New York City’s 3-1-1 increased from 10,359 in 2020 to 25,821 in 2021 with a vast majority of the complaints coming from Manhattan; and

Whereas, During the past 5-years, 3-1-1 has experienced a 2,329% increase in noise complaints related to helicopters; and

Whereas, New York City residents are exposed to noise and pollutants from over a thousand monthly helicopter flights; and

Whereas, According to the Natural Resources Defense Council's study "Needless Noise: The Negative Impacts of Helicopters Traffic in New York City and the Tri-State Region," exposure to frequent overhead flights are associated with a number of health effects in children, including high blood pressure, neuroendocrinological issues, impaired psychological and cognitive functions, learned helplessness, poorer long-term memory, and diminished reading comprehension; and

Whereas, Helicopters emit air pollutants such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxide and formaldehyde, which are known to cause asthma, cancer and other illnesses; and

Whereas, In addition to the health concerns there have been several notable helicopter related accidents over the City's airspace, raising congestion and safety issues; and

Whereas, In May of 2019, a charter helicopter crashed into the Hudson River while the pilot, who suffered a hand injury, was moving the aircraft from the fueling area to the customer section of the Hudson River Park’s West 30^th Street Heliport; and

Whereas, Parks and heliports, especially one that is heavily trafficked as the West 30^th Street heliport, are not meant for co-location; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to amend the Hudson River Park Trust Act by banning non-essential use of its heliport.

WJH

LS 9349

9/29/22