The town of East Hampton, Long Island may consider closing the town-owned airport, if aircraft noise and traffic volume is not reduced.
Officials have tried to regulate noise pollution with curfews and restrictions at East Hampton Airport for decades. In 2015, local measures were struck down in court for not complying with federal law. Other restrictions were unsuccessful.
The town must comply with 2001 federal grant requirements for the airport. The facilities are required to be open for public use and comply with the federal “Airport and Noise Capacity Act”, which limits the town’s ability to control airport operations.
However, this act is set to expire next September.
An FAA spokeswoman says the federal agency encourages the preservation of airports, but this is a local decision to East Hampton.