Lawsuit Claims East Hampton's Airport Noise Curfews Are Unconstitutional
MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) - A group representing helicopter operators has filed a lawsuit claiming new laws restricting flights at East Hampton's town airport are unconstitutional.
The town enacted the laws last week. They address thousands of complaints it's received about noise from planes and helicopters shuttling the rich and famous into the Hamptons.
The laws are expected to go into effect Memorial Day weekend.
They include new curfews on the hours of operation, and the number of flights permitted by so-called "noisy'' aircraft.
Friends of East Hampton Airport filed the lawsuit on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Central Islip. The helicopter company Heliflite also joined the suit.
Loren Riegelhaupt, spokesman for Friends of East Hampton Airport, which supports aircraft operators, called the town actions severe and illegal.
"Rather than working together to find a balanced, reasonable approach, as they promised, the town has passed restrictions that violate the law and result in dramatic loss in revenue for the airport and town," he said in a statement. "We are now forced to consider legal action to remedy this unfortunate situation.
The lawsuit claims local governments have no authority to impose airport noise or access restrictions.
East Hampton officials say they're confident they will prevail.
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