By Philip Newman
U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) has obtained $100,000 in federal money for a study of air quality and noise in Queens neighborhoods surrounding LaGuardia Airport.
Crowley announced the study while surrounded by community leaders and anti-noise and anti-pollution activists who had worked with him since April when he called on the Environmental Protection Administration to commission such a study.
“I am pleased to announce this funding,” Crowley told a news conference at the Marine Air Terminal at LaGuardia Tuesday.
“As I have often said, western Queens bears the brunt of an ever-increasing volume of traffic — both in the skies and on the roadways and we are feeling the effects. Many families have concerns about the increased traffic on the health of children and the elderly in particular.
“With increased asthma rates in New York City and Queens County, the air we breathe is not a quality of life issue — it is an issue of life or death,” Crowley said.
The congressman said he is committed to reducing noise and air pollution in the Queens communities surrounding LaGuardia.
“The last air quality study of Queens was completed by the EPA in 1997,” Crowley said. “This EPA study will hopefully provide the accurate data we need to craft policies to reduce noise levels and improve the air quality in Queens.”
Crowley got the $100,000 for the study as part of the appropriations bill for fiscal year 2002 that provides funds for the Veterans Administration, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and independent agencies.
LaGuardia is within Crowley’s congressional district, which stretches from Long Island City through Woodside to Whitestone and part of Bayside.
Rose Marie Poveromo, president of the Queens Community Civic Association, led off remarks by several community and civic leaders concerned about noise and pollution.
“It is indisputable that air and noise pollution are hazardous to our health,” Poveromo said. “Kudos to Congressman Crowley.”
Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 136.
