Bergen Assembly Democrats: Legislation Allowing Port Authority To Operate Stewart Airport Signed into Law

LEGISLATION ALLOWING PORT AUTHORITY
TO OPERATE STEWART AIRPORT SIGNED INTO LAW

(TETERBORO) - Legislation Assembly members Frederick Scalera, Gary S. Schaer, Bob Gordon, and Joan Voss sponsored to help mitigate noise, pollution, and safety concerns at Teterboro Airport was signed into law today by Acting Governor Richard J. Codey.

The measure (A-3948/S-25) allows the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to move forward with a planned purchase of the operating lease for Stewart International Airport in Orange County, New York. Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D-Bergen) and Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen) were among cosponsors of the new law.

"This is an air traffic strategy that should have been employed a long time ago to help address the noise and safety concerns at Teterboro," said Scalera (D-Essex/Bergen/Passaic). "Without this air travel safety valve, Teterboro Airport could have been forced to accommodate increasingly larger aircraft, which would have only result in more air traffic and more potential for life-threatening accidents."

Previously, the Port Authority had only been empowered to operate within an existing "port district" that extends for 25 miles in all directions from Liberty Island in New York Harbor.

The law authorizes the Port Authority to establish two additional air terminals outside the bi-state agency's jurisdictional border - one in New York, one in New Jersey, as respectively designated by the Governor of each state. The law does not change the boundaries of the port district, but allows exceptions for the operations of Stewart Airport in New York and an additional air facility in New Jersey.

"This is a quality of life issue for all New Jersey residents, but especially for those living near Newark and Teterboro airports," said Schaer (D-Passaic/Bergen/Essex). "Between media reports on the abysmal on-time ratings of Newark International Airport and the constant safety concerns surrounding Teterboro Airport's jet load, it is clear that we need another airport to handle the enormous volume of air traffic entering and leaving the New York metropolitan area."

According to the Port Authority, under its current configuration, Stewart International Airport could accommodate 1.5 million passengers annually. The airport is situated on 2,400 acres of land and is equipped with two large runways capable of handling major jet service similar to those found at Newark, LaGuardia, or John F. Kennedy international airports. The Port Authority has said it expects to be able to increase passenger service and volume to the airport through careful planning and expansion.

"Providing relief to residents concerned about noise levels and safety concerns stemming from Teterboro is a no-brainer," said Gordon (D-Bergen). "Any steps that can be taken to reduce air traffic over Bergen County and the rest of North Jersey should be embraced wholeheartedly."

The New York Legislature passed similar companion legislation in 1967, however, because of the bi-state nature of the Port Authority, enabling legislation had to be passed by both state legislatures before the purchase could be authorized.

The Port Authority is now authorized to purchase the remaining 93 years of the Stewart International Airport lease from the National Express Corporation. The estimated cost of the lease purchase is $78.5 million. Once completed, the Port Authority will be given operational control of the airport, which the agency expects to assume by October 2007.

"Allowing this takeover carries with it concrete benefits to New Jersey from a safety, quality of life, and economic standpoint," said Voss (D-Bergen). "This is something that has been on the books in New York for 40 years, and it's high time New Jersey followed suit."

"There are enormous transportation and economic dividends attached to this," said Johnson. "Our region's economic vitality depends on our ability to serve this demand for air travel and operations at Stewart Airport will aid in that cause."

"The investments that get made today in Stewart could provide dividends for generations of residents and business owners in our region," said Vainieri Huttle. "The addition of Stewart Airport as a new Port Authority air facility just can't happen soon enough."

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