(04/15/08) GREENWICH ? Angry residents and local leaders voiced their opposition Monday night to an FAA plan that would route more planes over southwestern Connecticut.

The FAA says the plan is necessary to relieve flight delays at major New York-area airports. However, critics say it will only lead to increased air and noise pollution throughout southwestern Connecticut. State and local leaders have filed lawsuits in an attempt to ground the plan for good.

?We?re at a critical juncture [because] we?re about to fire our first major salvos in court, our first major artillery in court is about to go, and we have a very powerful coalition,? said Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, a fierce critic of the flight plan.

No FAA representatives were at the Greenwich Town Hall meeting to defend the plan.

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