While the court upheld the FAA’s environmental review, Save the Sound continues to advocate for protecting nearby communities and Long Island Sound
(NEW HAVEN, CT – July 22, 2026) — On Tuesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit denied Save the Sound and the Town of East Haven’s appeal challenging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s Finding of No Significant Impact for the proposed expansion of the Tweed New Haven Airport.
In doing so, the Court held that the FAA reasonably analyzed the environmental impacts of the airport expansion project and concluded that these impacts would not be significant. The finding of No Significant Impact was based on an Environmental Assessment conducted by the FAA under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
“We are very disappointed by today’s ruling. In effect, it allows the project to move forward without an Environmental Impact Statement – a more detailed and comprehensive environmental review under NEPA. This not only harms the local community and environment, but it sets a dangerous precedent nationwide,” said Jessica Roberts, staff attorney for Save the Sound, in response to the ruling.
In February 2024 Save the Sound and the Town of East Haven filed the appeal of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) environmental review of the project, arguing that the agency failed to adequately assess and mitigate the project’s potential impacts on surrounding wetlands, waterways, nearby neighborhoods, and environmental justice communities.
In the appeal, Save the Sound argued that the FAA violated NEPA by failing to meaningfully analyze and mitigate the impacts of the proposed expansion in its Environmental Assessment, despite the airport being in a floodplain, in a residential neighborhood, and in a state-designated environmental justice area. Save the Sound argued that the Court should order the FAA to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement, which is a more detailed and comprehensive analysis. In its ruling, the Court held that the FAA reasonably analyzed the environmental impacts of the project and concluded that these impacts would not be significant. This ruling means that FAA need not prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. Save the Sound does not plan to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.
In communities surrounding the airport, including East Haven and Morris Cove, residents and community organizers have expressed concern about traffic, noise, flooding, air quality, and other environmental impacts of a larger airport.
“While the Court denied the petitions for review, permits are still needed to begin construction on the project, and we encourage anybody who is concerned about the expansion to voice those concerns during those permit proceedings,” Roberts said.
For more details about the project, click here.