This restriction strikes me as semi-reasonable, since many or most pilots
(including me) already considered the East River U-turn (surrounded by dense
traffic) to be too risky to fly there. Now, ATC can ensure that you don't
fly up the river unless they're going to clear you to continue all the way.
(Helicopters and seaplanes are properly excluded from the restriction.)

The main problem I see is that the new restriction starts at the southwest
tip of Governor's Island instead of the northeast tip. That seems like an
unnecessary complication to navigation there, especially since it forces
pilots flying past to descend to 1100' instead of remaining just below
1500'. Perhaps that part of the rule can be changed. (skyvector.com)

--Gary

!FDC 6/3495 ZNY EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, VFR
FLIGHT OPERATIONS INVOLVING FIXED WING AIRCRAFT (EXCLUDING AMPHIBIOUS
FIXED WING AIRCRAFT LANDING OR DEPARTING NEW YORK SKYPORTS INC
SEAPLANE BASE) IN THE EAST RIVER CLASS B EXCLUSION AREA EXTENDING
FROM THE SOUTHWESTERN TIP OF GOVERNORS ISLAND TO THE NORTH TIP OF
ROOSEVELT ISLAND, ARE PROHIBITED UNLESS AUTHORIZED AND BEING
CONTROLLED BY ATC. TO OBTAIN AUTHORIZATION CONTACT LGA ATCT SOUTH OF
GOVERNORS ISLAND ON 126.05.

Also NYT:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/nyre...rtner=homepage